Technology Fast Summary

Unplugged: How Disconnecting can Reconnect You to Yourself

We often think of technology as a tool that makes our lives easier and more

convenient. But what if our devices are actually making us more stressed and anxious?

This is one of the main questions I sought to answer with this technology fast. In order

to complete this fast with the best results, without hindering my schoolwork, I chose the

advanced challenge, for three days. I only used my phone to make necessary calls, and

my computer, only for schoolwork and such. In order to complete this technology fast,

successfully, I had to make needed preparations. Before starting this fast, I did have a

few predetermined judgments, so I went in with an unpleasant start. I felt uncomfortable

at times, because I am so used to always checking my phone. Despite the importance

of technology in our day-to-day lives, it can also have many negative side effects. The

fast forced me to face my dependence on electronic devices, and the effects it has on

my mental health, emotions, and overall health.

Preparing for his fast gave me insight into how much of an impact technology has

in my day to day life. I had to let my family and friends know that I would be unplugged.

Some of my friends only have me on social media, such as Instagram and Snapchat, so

that made it a bit hard to communicate. In addition to that, most of my friends and I

communicate through texting, not calling. So, telling my friends they had to call instead

of text to reach me was strange. Even though I told them this, most were uncomfortable

with calling, and I didn't make many calls over the span of the three day challenge. This

was also referenced in Turkle’s Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology

and Less from Each Other. People don’t like to call each other, because, with texting,

they can hide behind a screen, and think through what they need to say before it is said,

, or in this case, texted. Another vital part of completing this technology fast successfully,

was creating and setting a clear goal. When choosing which challenge, I had to keep

many things in mind: how I would communicate with others, entertain myself, how I

would keep myself on track, and how I would be affected by each challenge. So, after

choosing my challenge, I prepared a sort of outline. I didn’t plan my day to the minute,

but I had some idea of what I wanted to do. I wanted to track how I was feeling as I

gradually grew away from my technology, as well as increase my productivity. Preparing

was the easiest part of my technology fast, the hardest part was keeping myself

productive during the fast, in order to stay off my phone.

When I wake up, the first thing I do is check my phone’s notifications. Obviously,

with this fast, I couldn’t do that, because I would only use it to make calls. I left it

downstairs before I slept, so I wouldn’t be tempted to use it. The first day was very

rough. I have a “routine” where all steps usually include my phone. Without my phone, I

was forced to get out of bed and get ready for the day. Brushing my teeth, making my

bed, doing my hair, changing, and making and eating breakfast, are all activities that I

would do, distracted, by my phone. Without my phone, I noticed that I completed these

activities more promptly. But, with these activities completed so quickly, and no phone to

entertain me, I had to find something else to do. At first, I tried reading some old library

books, but I just couldn’t keep my eyes on the following lines. I caught myself skimming

through the pages, and I couldn’t even focus on what the book was about. I wanted to

be productive, so I tried working on homework. That went moderately well. Without the

fast, I would usually be distracted by TikTok, and would have scrolled endlessly; I

couldn’t have gotten anything done even if I wanted to. I completed some work, and still