Slow down.
Take a deep breath.
What’s the hurry?
Why wear yourself out?
Just what are you after anyway?
Jeremiah 2:25, MSG
In this digital age, we are constantly connected.
Connected to our phones, friends, work, family, social media, strangers, news, drama, etc. If there is something to be connected to, we’re going after it.
We are so connected to the world that we get disconnected from ourselves. Technology has given the us 24/7 access to almost anyone and anything we could imagine. But if you do a quick self-check, you might realize you’re not truly connected to anyone or anything.
Digital connection is overtaking physical connection.
Have you ever realized you have gone an entire day without speaking to a single human being, but you have been in constant contact with people via text or email? You’ve had entire conversations without once hearing or speaking a single word.
Our world is in such a rush to get to the next thing that we don’t take the time to appreciate the moment. We go through life so overstimulated that we miss out on the details. We miss the true connection of humanity.
How many things are we missing out on because we have gotten so blinded by the clutter of the digital world?
How many beautiful things in life are we missing because we can’t be bothered to look up from our devices for more than 2 seconds?
How many relationships are we forsaking because we’d rather insert ourselves into the lives of people on our screens?
How many moments of rest have we lost because we have zero self-control when it comes to scrolling through our feeds?
How many moments with God are we losing out on because we can’t stand the silence?
We have got to get out of the cycle of technology and constant stimulation if we expect to grow and be healthy.
Now is just a good a time as any to start.
Take a step back from the noise.
Take a break from the chaos.
Take a step back from the drama.
Take a break from the screens.
Take some time away from all the connection to disconnect; sometimes you have to disconnect from everything in order to reconnect with what is important.
Turn off all your electronics for a day (or longer) and just shut out everything. Do the things you love that are just for you and no one else. I’ll be honest, it will be hard at first. You will most likely hate it. But it will be oh so worth it. Detoxing from everything can be freeing. Letting go of the constant access you have to others, and they have to you, is invigorating.
Take time for the real connections you have. Take time for yourself. Just because they have your number or follow you doesn’t mean they get a free pass to full access to your life. This is your permission slip to not pick up the phone every time it dings. You’re allowed to not answer every call or text the moment it comes through. Trust me, you’ll be much better off for it.
This is your only life so don’t waste it living someone else’s through a screen.
Gracie Waldrop 