So the
other week I left something at home that, when carrying it enables me to
breathe freely and without which I feel a bit lopsided. My phone.
Yep all day
at work without my Android. I’ll wait
while you all check yours are within reach thereby allowing you to bypass the
feelings of panic and woe I suffered…. Got it? Good. My first thought after realizing what I had
done was Balls! FOMO* full on attack-hugged me as I pondered all the things I
couldn't do or be involved in for a whole Eight. Hours!
 |
My predicament
made worse by the fact that the I.T. guy that sets up my temp girl laptop was
late so I couldn’t even check my social media sites on a p.c.
After what
was realistically about 5 minutes but felt eye strainingly*** longer I decided to
go to Hot Numbers, a well-known coffee shop hang out for freelancers and
students with MACs and laptops. Walking in
was odd – my coffee consumed without first
appearing on Instagram I sat for a full 45 minutes with nothing to pay attention
to but the people around me.
I’ll admit 10 of those were a little ‘dreamt I turned
up to work naked’ uncomfortable, but sooner then I expected I settled into
just watching the world go by. I saw commuters
and tourists alike enjoying the sunny morning. I laughed as I saw two women cycle past, their bicycle
bells shaped like a ladybird and a hamburger (when
did the novelty bell become a thing?) I was really and truly just present. It felt kind of magical.
This got me
pondering other aspects of my life that took me out of just being, like TV. Anyone that knows me, knows my addict status when
it comes to my two dimensional friends.
So when I first met Emma a blogger who goes by 100DaysNoTV I was in
awe/confused at the concept.
But now I’m
wondering if being constantly tuned in might be distracting us from our own
undiscovered creativity.
Would JK Rowling have gotten around to writing the adventures of Mr Potter had she a smart phone that buzzed every 30 seconds?
Would JK Rowling have gotten around to writing the adventures of Mr Potter had she a smart phone that buzzed every 30 seconds?
Would updates
on twitter have distracted Stephen Hawking from learning about the everything?
Would Dave Grohl have joined Nirvana or formed Foo Fighters if he'd been instagramming his guitars and drum kit instead of playing them?
Would Dave Grohl have joined Nirvana or formed Foo Fighters if he'd been instagramming his guitars and drum kit instead of playing them?
This isn't a ground breaking concept, nor does it mean I'm signing out of social media and selling my telly. I still need to know
how Rick is going to handle Neegan and when dragon lady is going to kick
evereone’s arse and get to the God dammed iron throne!
But I am trying to find
a better balance between technology and creativity. If I get it right I'm hoping more magical
moments will occur.
*Fear Of
Missing Out, seriously where’ve you been?!
** something I unfortunately have first-hand experience of.
** what? It's a word!
** what? It's a word!
