Aza Raskin, co-founder of the Center for Human Technology and of the Earth Species Project once stated “The ‘Infinite Scroll’ is like taking behavioral cocaine and sprinkling it all over your interface”. He is the creator of the Emmy award winning documentary ‘The Social Dilemma’ and the co-host for the podcast ‘Your Undivided Attention’ … and he has a few things to say about going off the grid and unplugging.
This past Sunday was Mothers Day, and as a gift to myself, I stayed away from ‘screen time’. Yes, I answered a few texts but that was it. More and more I feel the need to stop scrolling.
This morning I read an article from Insidehook called ‘The Analog Life: 50 Ways to Unplug and Feel Human Again’. Believe it or not there is a life beyond the infinite scroll.
I know, I know … I get the irony. Here I am a writer, writing on a screen to an online audience.
Tanner Garrity wrote “Going analog isn’t about nostalgia – It’s about resistance. From old school rituals, to single use devices, to website blockers, these small interventions will help you live like a person again, instead of a user.
Here are some traditional rituals to put back into practice.
- Read Before Bed. It has been said that reading is the sandbox, you should play in daily. It improves your sleep quality by reducing stress and anxiety, promotes relaxation and establishes a calming bedtime routine. It fires up those neurons and hones your focus. When you read in bed it slows the heart and your muscles release tension.
- A new word for me ‘KinKeeping’ literally means keeping those family bonds, sharing news of the day and of each other’s lives. This one is easy. Put your phones down and enjoy a meal together. Literally sit down and break bread together.
- Start your day in quiet. Sip your coffee in peace. Don’t just grab a cup-o-joe’ and go. Coffee goes so much better on porches, stoops, with friends and reading newspapers!!
- Speaking of which – Read the Newspaper!! Some shameless promotion here, subscribe to The Olive Grove online, read the headlines and local happenings. Sip you coffee at the kitchen table with paper in hand.
- Handwrite your to-do list. Yes, I have every way possible to keep my notes, but going back to the old school ways of writing and keeping my life organized – I write down. I bought a blank yearly calendar and jot down my thoughts – those fleeting ideas and the articles I write for the day.
- Go for walks at lunch. Period.
- Make phone calls instead of text messages. Hearing the voices of your friends and family is so much better than a text. It lifts your spirit and keeps the connection.
- Movie Nights!!! Whether you spend [far too much] money going to the movies or ordering a movie at home or packing a light dinner and grabbing a community movie – Do It!
- Utilize your cookbooks. Years ago I began collecting vintage cookbooks and I actually wrote out the weekly dinner menu and posted it on the fridge. With the kids grown and my life becoming increasingly busy, prepared meals just got to convenient. Pull out those Martha Stewart cook books and cook!
- And finally – watch the sunset. At the park, at the beach, while you walk your neighborhood or from you front porch. Be grateful for the day.
#LiveIntentionally
This article was written in part by Tanner Garrity / May 2, 2025
www.insidehook.com
