Disconnection Weekend

2024-04-07

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My wife and I just returned from a weekend trip with two friends to a remote cabin near the Ozarks. The building had heat and running water, as well as plumbing, but no WiFi, and our mobile phone signal was poor. Thus, we decided to disconnect and enjoy nature as much as possible.

I was worried I would be bored once we got there. The majority of my day-to-day activities involve electronics, from my job to Gemini to video games. I even keep my to-do list in a text file and primarily exercise by playing arcade dance games. What if I couldn't resist the digital itch and spent the entire weekend cursing the lack of signal on my smartphone?

I brought some analog distractions with me: a few books, a Rubik's Revenge Cube, and a deck of cards. I figured between those three activities, I might be able to calm my brain down and focus on something. Our friends brought a few board games, as well as their dog.

To my surprise, I didn't feel bored once the entire weekend. I joined one of the friends on walks with their dog, which took us through a wooded trail full of little coves and creeks. A small convenience store was located nearby, full of knick-knacks dating back almost a hundred years. I played some card games and helped cook meals. And every evening, we made a campfire and looked at the multitude of stars in the night sky. The weekend flew by, and almost before I knew it, it was time to pack up and head home.

Disconnecting was one of the best things I could have done recently. I've found recently that I get bored at home more quickly than I used to. Though I'm surrounded by hobbies and interests, I often don't feel motivation to engage in them. It's almost too easy to do things I like when I have this many activities at my fingertips.

But out in the backwoods, where the only activities are things I can do with little more than a light source and a supply of water, I always had something to do. I felt at home, in the moment, and that I was living life at just the right pace.

So what do I do? I come home, get online, and post about how great it was to not be online. Maybe I should learn a little better.

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[Last updated: 2024-04-07]