at distracting you from that purpose. Once you have
“Since I didn’t have my phone, I wasn’t distracted by
acknowledged that, you can bring yourself back to what
anything so I spontaneously cleaned my room, learned
you want to get done, not what your phone wants you to
how to play new songs on the guitar, and decided
do.”
to bake more with my mom and my sisters. On the
“The best part of the separation was the mindfulness I felt throughout my day. It felt like I was in an advertisement where the actor is enjoying life and being ‘in the moment.’ When I went back on to social media, I never realized how many things were being thrown at
weekend, it made me think about all of the other things I have missed out on because I have been on my phone so much.” What is there for a teenager to do? On page 179, Shlain asks, “WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY?
me...”
Think about all the (screen-free) activities you enjoy
“I saw myself actually being a lot nicer to my family. Whenever I have my phone I just become very secluded so I don’t spend time with them and I always seem to be in a mood.”
doing that you just don’t do enough. (It’s okay if doing nothing is at the top of that list.) Answer this question before looking at the list that Tiffany composed on pages 179-180 and 188-189.
Adults Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin blogged: “It’s
Besides the examples from her family life, on page 179
all too easy to miss out on the important moments in
Shlain asks, “WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY? Think about all
life because you’re too busy staring at your phone. So
the (screen-free) activities you enjoy doing that you just
let’s all put down the phone and ignore social media
don’t do enough. (It’s okay if doing nothing is at the top
for a whole 24 hours….There’s such a huge value in
of that list.)” Answer this question before looking at the
disconnecting from digital devices and reconnecting
lists on pages 179-180 and 189-191.
with ourselves and our loved ones. But there’s also a bigger message that we can take home from this experience – that we can all be more present in our own lives. I really believe that being in the moment is the key to happiness and success – and being constantly
Roy Hessel (founder and CEO, EyeBuyDirect, and CEO, Clearly.ca and Coastal.com) says, “We invest our time in conversations, storytelling, reading, board games, and hosting family and friends.”
glued to your phone can have a big impact on your
Tommy Sobel has written 200 things to do without your
relationships. I always try and focus my attention on
phone. It contains amazing outdoor adventures and
whoever I’m with. When I’m in a meeting I listen and take
low-key indoor activities.
notes and when I’m at the dinner table I catch up with my family. While I love technology and social media, a text or a tweet can never replace the real value of conversation.”
People usually like to have the support of others when trying out new ideas and practices. One way to do this is through groups like One Table onetable.org, whose website lists Friday night dinners around the country
So, in addition to conversation, what is there for an
that are open to everyone. Many synagogues offer
adult to do on such a day of rest?
Friday night dinners, or at least can find a dinner host for 14
