Short musings on taking an extended break from the computer

Recently I took an extended break from all things computers (w/limited smart phone usage) and I was surprised at noticible changes within and “outin.”

Here’s my musings:

• I feel physically better and not drained as I tend to feel from being on the computer.

• Less tension. My breathing pattern has changed to a more relaxing pace. I didn’t realize being on the computer tenses me up.

• My focus isn’t as burned out and I have less headaches and remarkably sharper vision.

• My thoughts are calmer and I feel more grounded.

• I have more energy.

• Dreams are more vivid and memorable.

• I feel more connected to earth, nature, and spirit.

• As a result I feel more alive and aware.

• It’s easier to meditate and go deeper.

• When writing on pen and paper, my thoughts slow down and crystalize.

• More ideas flow forth and I’m motivated to write.

• When on the computer, an intense focus mechanism triggers whereas writing on paper is different in the focus is there but it is less intense and of wider spectrum.

• The more I write by hand, the clearer my handwriting becomes as old muscle memory is resurrected.

• I now carry a small pocket note book w/pen around for dumping of thoughts, ideas, to-dos, etc. on demand instead of using the phone.

• A larger notepad serves well for longhand writing pieces. More space = less cramped for free flowing writing and by sticking to a larger notepad for longer pieces I’m programming my mind to see it that way while the pocketbook is for quick dumping.

• Choose the right kind of paper and pen that makes it a joy to write.

• My RSS feeds and newsletters piled up but browsing through them I realize I’m not really missing out on anything. Due to the cyclical nature of things, the interesting stuff will show up again anyway. I ended up clearing them all out and I’m still alive. ; )

• It’s also an opportunity to cull feeds and newsletters I find myself skipping (Note to self: Set a quarterly “culling” reminder.)

• It’s hard to explain but going analog via fountain pen & paper seems to connect me more to humanity and our ancestors, as if ancient neurons are brought back to life.

• There is a subtle shift in interacting with fellow humans. They come across not as faded — more real. Their colors, flavors, and nuances are more vivid. I’ve been waiting for someone to ask me, “Where have you been all along?” (This metaverse thing might not be such a great idea given how it seems to more physically disconnect us…)

POSTSCRIPT:

• When I got back on the computer I felt this sense of dread in my body, as if “here we go again.”

• I’m going to honor that and permanently reduce my computer/phone usage by going as analog as possible.

• After all, our ancestors managed without somehow all this time, yea?

• I hired someone to transcribe my notes into computer text. I ended up nixing the experiment because it was like sending my words off to the laundry and they get whitewashed of their personality. I’d rather continue to roll in the dirt and tangle in the smells of my words as I transcribe ’em myself.

• Now I’m starting to write everything (long and short hand) down on paper first to stay connected this way.

• I’ve fallen in love with writing again — it’s a wondrous thing to feel ink flowing out of my hands in a poetic dance with mind and paper.