Sometimes I wish that I could live on an island somewhere in a cute little cottage, with zero technology, and simply a giant stack of books. There are times when I am just so sick of being “connected” all the time. I love my job, but there is a certain expectation that you’re available all the time. And the time when you’re not available (like in air during a flight) is typically when everything goes wrong. (Turning on your phone to 37 frantic emails completely erases whatever tranquility you had before.)
It’s exhausting to simply try to keep up. Getting ahead? Nearly impossible.
I treat my inbox like a temple; I try to keep unwanted emails out.
I read paper books as often as possible.
I take technology breaks whenever I feel my patience wearing thin.
But at the end of the day, most of my life (for better or for worse) is tied to one type of screen.
While I find my frustration levels from time to time escalating, I think I forget about all the wonderful aspects of technology.
Technology connects, democratizes, and educates. Technology heals. Technology advances. Technology builds and grows and magnifies.
Your voice can reach millions around the world. Your art can show up anywhere and is accessible by anyone. Your ideas can impact the masses and make real social change.
Technology is revolutionary.
Yesterday, I was reminded of the true wonder that technology can be. It came at the most perfect time. I had spent the entire weekend trying to balance visiting with my family (and sister who was leaving for Australia!) and completing seemingly endless Google hangout meetings, emails, Photoshop files, and blog posts. I tried my best to stay present with my mom, dad, sister, and friends… but then I was up well into the night and awake before the sun to squeeze more things in. I was ready to switch my flight back to Manhattan to the best island I could find to fulfill my cord-free fantasy.
working from home in Florida was a nice change of scenery.
At work yesterday, I was balancing an iPad, my Macbook, and my iPhone staying up to the millisecond on all things social for Levo League’s Office Hours with Warren Buffett. To say that it was stressful and overwhelming would be an understatement. But then, between responding to Tweets and sending out favorite quotations, it kind of hit me how amazing technology is.
Women (and men) around the world were tuned into a video chat with one of THE most influential people in the WORLD, Warren Buffett. He was answering real people’s questions and sharing real anecdotes and real successes and real emotion. The mere fact that his charming personality radiated through a screen was remarkable. His physical being may have been in Nebraska, but his energy was exuding through every single pixel. He was in the office right with me, even though he wasn’t.
Technology can be good.
I think we should realize this and make sure that we’re using it for good. It’s easy to waste technology. We might spend one too many hours a day watching pointless Youtube videos. Or use the ease of communication to talk poorly of someone. Or simply not use the power of it to our full advantage; to spread our voices, our art, our ideas.
The next time I feel like technology is suffocating me… I will remember the good, the true power of it all. Because dealing with 203 unanswered emails is kind of worth it in the grand scheme of things.
I couldn't have read this post at a better time. For about the last year, I've been working for a nonprofit in Houston, and I've recently taken to overhauling our social media branding, strategy, and content. I'm overwhelmed. I actually just filmed a Vine video to quickly pull together all of the places we're active – just Facebook and Twitter seem like a lot before outlets like Pinterest, Youtube, and Foursquare are even considered. But at the end of the day, I do think the time and effort is worthwhile and digital transparency is key for organizations. It's amazing the connections you can make through a computer screen.
I think that you should check out Lara Casey's website– in particular, her blog. She's a business owner and coach, and addresses a number of the issues you talk about in this post, how stepping away from work and creating boundaries actually allows you to perform better at work AND be happier.
I think the key is boundaries. My husband and I recently took a day off work together, and he spent half of it fielding calls from the office. Crazy thing is, his boss and half the staff were also on vacation! There needs to be a point where people say, "I'm not checking" or "I don't have access." But it seems like a lot of people are afraid of the consequences of doing that.
wow, it always feels like I am in total sync with you! Whenever I am going through something you manage to make a post relevant to my situation, it's amazing. It's true though, technology can be a hassle and sometimes even feel like a burden but then again… it's a blessing 🙂
little town it’s a quiet village, every day like the one before 📖 🥀 💙 Comment “links” and I’ll send you the details of my classic outfit (this shirtdress is about to be in *heavy* rotation in my wardrobe!)
I’m four weeks postpartum and we have an extra hour of sunlight, the temperatures are rising, the flowers are starting to bloom, and I bought more jeans that fit! Feeling GOOD ☀️ leave a comment saying “spring outfit” and I’ll send the links for my outfit (including the viral white t-shirt I just got, these jeans which are 50% off, my super affordable quilted jacket… PLUS the baby carrier I’ve been using)!
What a brilliant way to store my needlepoint treasures 🤍🔐✨🌿🪡 I’ve wanted to do this for a while and I’m glad I waited because the @neelyandchloe x @petitekeep collaboration trunk couldn’t be more perfect!! Just launched today!
PS Comment “needlepoint trunk” and I’ll send you the link (+ a bonus link with all my for needlepoint tips for beginners!)
I recently stayed at @boramcare, a postnatal retreat, in NYC with my three week old and had the BEST experience. 👶🏼 🍼🤱🏻 I was blown away by the services Boram has to offer- they have thought of everything to help mothers recover physically and emotionally after giving birth. Leave a comment with “postnatal retreat” and I will DM you more information about #Boram and even more details about my stay.
sweet moments from my camera roll ✨ I think these sum up pretty accurately what the last few weeks have looked like. Snuggling on the couch under piles of blankets 🛋️ family walks around town 🛴 reading our favorite books together in the nursery 📚
There’s something special about getting to do the newborn stage over again with your second baby. It’s exhausting, and tiring, and overwhelming…. But you know just how fast it’s going to go by. I am soaking up every second of the contact naps, newborn scent, and (yes!) even the cluster feeding. 🤍🍼☁️
Leave a comment with “outfit” and I’ll send you links to what I’m wearing (+ the stroller and headphones) 🧥
No one will know the size of your jeans but they’ll know if they don’t fit! Struggling with my postpartum body… and just decided to go to the store and buy jeans that fit! Who knows what will happen down the road (my postpartum body always feels foreign for a while), but for now I have jeans that fit and that I feel good in. 🫶🏻
Leave a comment with “jeans” and I’ll send you links for my outfit! 🔗
Are you the one that tweets the #officehours tweets?? I love those! I write them on a white board at work for inspiration for everyone!
I couldn't have read this post at a better time. For about the last year, I've been working for a nonprofit in Houston, and I've recently taken to overhauling our social media branding, strategy, and content. I'm overwhelmed. I actually just filmed a Vine video to quickly pull together all of the places we're active – just Facebook and Twitter seem like a lot before outlets like Pinterest, Youtube, and Foursquare are even considered. But at the end of the day, I do think the time and effort is worthwhile and digital transparency is key for organizations. It's amazing the connections you can make through a computer screen.
http://www.pairhouston.org
facebook.com/pairhouston
twitter @pairhouston
I think that you should check out Lara Casey's website– in particular, her blog. She's a business owner and coach, and addresses a number of the issues you talk about in this post, how stepping away from work and creating boundaries actually allows you to perform better at work AND be happier.
I think the key is boundaries. My husband and I recently took a day off work together, and he spent half of it fielding calls from the office. Crazy thing is, his boss and half the staff were also on vacation! There needs to be a point where people say, "I'm not checking" or "I don't have access." But it seems like a lot of people are afraid of the consequences of doing that.
wow, it always feels like I am in total sync with you! Whenever I am going through something you manage to make a post relevant to my situation, it's amazing. It's true though, technology can be a hassle and sometimes even feel like a burden but then again… it's a blessing 🙂
Twitter for news. Facebook for connecting with friends and promoting social justice initiatives and hopefully one day blogging for similar reasons.