When we think of technology often our minds can go to dark places. Dark places that are associated with anxiety, stress, ideas of ‘black mirrors’, and toxicity. Sometimes the word technology also leads to the horrible s word - SOCIAL MEDIA.
Social media and technology are heavily criticised (and in many ways rightly so) for the impact they can have on our mental health, self-confidence, personality, social behaviours, and the overall nature of our generation who seem ever so consumed and obsessed.
Let’s be honest, social media or technology for a fact is not going anywhere. They will continue to grow, continue to race for our attention and continue to manipulate our behaviours. But it doesn’t have to be all so scary.
💪🏽 Let’s take control.
We are the masters of our own lives. Let’s recognise how we can take advantage of these digital tools in ways that may benefit us.
💭 How can we use technology for fun?
Firstly, we know that ‘fun’ sounds fun but how can we have fun without knowing what’s fun? (Drink a shot of ginger every time you read the word 'fun' in that sentence).
Well, we are all different. We all have idiosyncrasies that make up our personality and stimuli that provoke the ‘fun’ in us. The first step to having fun is to know fun. What sparks joy? When was the last time you felt tickled, joyful, and happy? What were you doing? Who were you with? And, where were you? Once you have answered these questions, ask yourself this - why did you feel like you were having fun at that time?
For example, I love mornings. When I have a well-planned morning, I feel my best and it truly determines my mood for the rest of the day too. I feel this way because I love ‘feeling healthy’. I love the morning air, there is some unique quality about that 7 a.m. air, it just smells and tastes different to me.
By no means am I someone who will be able to wake up at 5 a.m. every day but I do like that peace and quiet of dawn. Now, that I have identified this as something I love I can use technology to my advantage to enable this ‘fun’. I can use my calendar to block out time for morning yoga. I can use my iPad to read the morning news and drink my coffee. I can arrange a breakfast date with a friend, and customise my notifications for the first two hours of my morning to avoid distractions. I can use my NIKE app to track my runs and measure progress over time.
The key is to identify what brings me joy, and then find meaningful ways I can use technology to help me to ‘achieve happiness’ in meaningful ways.
📝 Your Action Plan
Ask yourself the following questions:
💡 When was the last time you felt really happy and good about yourself? More often than not, the answer to this question is often a healthy activity. Whilst scrolling on TikTok may make you feel happy, it doesn't necessarily make you feel good about yourself. By listing those moments, you have your starting point.
💡 Are you using time-blocking to enable joy? Do you love nature? How often are you going on hikes? Do you love swimming? How often are you heading to the nearest pool or beach? After you have made a list by answering the first bullet point, put in the time every week in your digital calendars with reminders to carve out some time.
💡 Create zones, areas of your life and living space that are tech free. We forget that technology like our phones are meant to be an extension of us, not a part of us. Allocate areas and time zones that are completely tech free. Often the bedroom is a great place to start to make your rest space, tech free and stress free. Do what you have to - substitute your phones with analogue alarm clocks, remove TVs and replace them with books.
💡 Use your phone to get fitter. Our phones are powerful, use them for your benefit. Inspired by the book, Atomic Habits by James Clear, I would suggest using your phone whilst exercising to entertain. For example, listening to a podcast/audiobook whilst going on long walks or creating a hype playlist for your gym sessions. Use tech for fun.
This issue was inspired by the 2022 Winter Issue of Ensemble Magazine. To read the latest magazine, view here.
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