Comments on: Powering Down For Reflection

By: Technology, Reflection, and the Good Life | Information Tyrannosaur

Technology, Reflection, and the Good Life | Information Tyrannosaur — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 13:44:49 +0000

[...] important messages could be missed. Steven Bell suggests that simply taking time occasionally to power down and leave the screen for a while can be useful for reflection and rejuvenation. Like anything, I [...]

By: Sudden Thoughts And Second Thoughts

Sudden Thoughts And Second Thoughts — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 11:38:47 +0000

[...] a recent post I pondered the value of powering done, whether for days at a time or even just an hour here and there during your day. Thanks to [...]

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:43:41 +0000

I took a week-long trip to Paris and was totally disconnected the whole time. I couldn’t have been happier! I realized when I got back that I feel oppressed by the hyper-connectedness I have created for myself most of the time. I feel like I am constantly playing catch up. So this year, it’s boundaries for me and technology, starting with unsubscribing from a bunch of RSS feeds I never keep up with! Also, during the academic year, my institution offers the fantastic perk of lunchtime yoga classes, three times per week. Even if I only get to go once a week, I am markedly more productive and happier afterward. It is such a treat to devote an hour in the middle of the day to oneself.

By: Marilyn R. Pukkila

Marilyn R. Pukkila — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 18:41:30 +0000

As for movie choice, Ying, I listen to NPR or to friends with similar interests!

By: Ying

Ying — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 20:02:43 +0000

I kept myself busy in the break because I had to do so — my institution set up a very challenging timeline for annual evaluation and my file is due in the first week of Jan. I was fully plugged in, combing what I did in the past year and planning for the New Year.

It’s getting hard for me to imagine that I could live without internet for a single day — not only for work, but for life, and entertainment. For instance, how to even pick up a movie that you want to watch in the theater if you don’t check the trailer online?

By: Library Voice » Unplugging while plugging along

Library Voice » Unplugging while plugging along — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:48:30 +0000

[...] in, like when I’m hoisting a 300 pound barbell above my head. In a recent post at the ACRLog, Stephen Bell writes of the importance of unplugging as a way to calm down a bit and maintain balance.Â I was particularly interested in his comments [...]

By: ssmith

ssmith — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:11:32 +0000

I work four ten-hour days in a row every week. When I get home in the evenings, the last thing I want to do is “plug in.” Weekends are the same – I log on only if it’s necessary to balance my checkbook or look up a time for a movie. This past Christmas break my husband and I felled two trees in our yard and then prepared them for the burn pile, continued the never-ending cycle of home improvement, and spent as little time staring at a computer as possible. Heaven!

By: Marilyn R. Pukkila

Marilyn R. Pukkila — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 23:29:22 +0000

I’m one of the 17 people in the country who doesn’t own a cell phone (!), so being unplugged is a bit easier for me! I took a 2 week break, and only read e-mail once each week. I spent time preparing for the Jan Plan I’m currently teaching — but since that course is Religious Responses to Harry Potter, I will understand if folks consider that to be as much about play as about work (I certainly see it that way!).

I also meditate daily for about 20 minutes on or off break, and go to a gym twice a week during work times, and every other day or so during break times. I came up with LOTS of creative ideas for what I call “warm-ups” for each class (inspired by the ACRL Intentional Teacher Track in December — perfect timing!), and tried to get myself ahead on the reading load (yes, we’re reading all 7 novels in a month, along with 2 other books, 3 articles, and a video). What I appreciate the most about break time is being able to flow from one activity to another at *my* pace and on no particular schedule, allowing for the unexpected to bring up new approaches without feeling rushed.

By: Deborah

Deborah — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:09:27 +0000

I took an extended break this past December and spent time contemplating life while sitting by the Atlantic ocean.

I’m usually VERY plugged in but over the break found I was more unplugged than I had planned (thanks to the poor coverage by AT&T in eastern NC!) I did run into a public library a couple of times just to check back with the office and keep track of anything that needed answering. I found the time not writing, not working on projects, not answering email very rejuvenating. (I didn’t even take professional reading with me—instead I tacked a very large stack of murder mysteries!)

I found when I came back that I was probably sharper and more alert than I’ve been in a while. I’m at the midcareer point where I have tenure, I’ve made full professor and I’m sort of wondering what I want to tackle next. I have been playing around with an idea for some time. Being unplugged and away from the office gave me time to reflect on this next step and how I wanted to approach it. I do think for 2010 I will try to schedule some “mini breaks” into the semester that allows for this type of reflection (minus the ocean sounds, but you can’t have everything!)

By: Kenley Neufeld

Kenley Neufeld — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:30:03 +0000

I did a 10-day holiday this winter (compared to twice that last winter), but I ended up looking at my email (without responding) a few times during the 10-days. Not ideal, but it worked. My preference is complete blackout.

Now, the idea of setting aside times each day for connection free is an interesting idea. Of course, I usually start my day tech free for about an hour but I think what you might be hinting at is sometime during the day. That is much more challenging.

Even at lunch I have my iPhone next to me (sometimes on) which isn’t such a great habit. You’ve set a new aspiration for me in the coming semester.