DIGITAL DETOXIFICATION
For long I contemplated how much time I spent on Social media
(SM) and internet doing all things that are of no concern to me. First thing at
the dawn and last thing I do before I sleep is indulge in unproductive SM.
Watching tons of idle chat conversations in multiple groups though I don’t participate
in, watch photos of people whom I ve no idea of, read news and gossip which are
in consequential. All this net addiction multiplied with introduction of
Reliance Jio free data. Though not in this backdrop, but one fine day I just
deleted all my SM; multiple whatsapp and multiple fb accounts on smartphone,
movies and junk on laptop.
See the
techno-obsessive-addicts around you. Ear plugs to ears have become extension of
human body, people always walking with heads bowed looking into phones, sitting
in parks/benches/McD/airports etc all time drowned into their electronic
gadgets or Selfie obsessed humanity. First it’s just cell phone, later came ear
plugs, soon dual sims and secondary phones , then power banks. Other day I almost
crashed into IDIOT who was crossing the road with earplugs and gazing into his
smartphone.
Now
with phone internet data switched off I switched to basic analog Samsung guru
phone. These following are my observations or self discoveries.
1)
Now all in a sudden your pockets become lighter with one basic
model puny phone. And smart phone loses its smartness. Like fangless cobra, it becomes
your servant, no longer your master. And what more, Phone battery lasts for
full day.
2)
Before going to bed I used to tuck phone under my pillow lest I missed something
in my virtual world as I sleep. My smart phone functions now as smart alarm. So
almost each and every day for last 30 days I woke up between 4am-5am.
3)
With no constant tiny beeps assaulting you dangerously all time
reminding some update on SM, you find lot of time at your disposal. With
continuous data streaming comes with stress of mood swings. Now my pal puts
something on military-spy-foreign affair I tend to get excited, if its Modi vs Manmohan,
Sanghis vs Congis, Army vs anti national politics; all ends up in anger, some
lovely face generating love and passion. Looking into other people lives, wondering
how many liked or disliked my upload or whom I wanna like etc etc clogging my
own mind. No matter what reaction my mind generated, be it good or bad, it made
me compulsively to react or respond. Either way mind went for a toss. Whatever,
with no nonstop stimuli, I found so much space and serenity.
4)
I belong to probably last generation who existed before
technology took over our lives. I belong to that generation who lived while
planet earth was in transition from Analogue to Digital. When humans spent more
in Real world than virtual. With absence of smart phone, I magically rediscovered
lots of empty space around me as if I deleted tons of clutter from my mind. It
gave me clutter free mind by not involving in instant news and constant drama
around the world.
5)
I loved every moment
though initially mind rebelled and suffered withdrawal symptoms. Compulsively I
used to check my phone or switch on the data but to no avail as I already deleted
(not deactivated) the entire SM connectivity. Mind came up with many excuses
like what about official communication? What about important messages? What about
other useful things that I derive from SM. Well, first thing I brought entire official
communications into basic model phone and logged on that number from Tablet
which I never carry. In my line of work, we seldom use SM for communication,
hence the very rare occasional message comes through texts. And I wondered how
many of my so called loved ones would notice my absence. Unfortunately none!
Great realization, thinking I used to spend so much time in pampering,
praising, pleasing my so called loved ones.
6)
What did I do with new found mental freedom and clutter/stress
free time? Well, first clutter free mind was so peaceful that I believe I spent
last 30 days very productively. I woke up almost every day at 4 -5am, was able
to improve my yoga, concentration and meditation greatly (Remember now my mind
is clutter free), read tons of books. Earlier for every one page I read, I would
spend 10minutes on whatsapp which eventually eat away hours in a day. I bought
many books, downloaded almost every week a new book on kindle. The best book I read
was on Russian Propaganda techniques (I would definitely dedicate one full blog
on this mind blowing book.), Biographies of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw (all
valour of old soldier),Director Ramgopal varma (really interesting philosophies’),Kishanji
(Naxal), Hitler body guard stories, The Seige (26/11 terror attacks), ,Buddha
in brothel (only fiction book I bought) and other spiritual books..phew, some
still going on.
7)
Now after 30 day period, I reactivated my whatsapp and fb. Suddenly
there was flood on whatsapp and fb msgs over missed bdays and updates. I found I
hardly missed anything important. But whats the first whatsapp message I find?
RGV with Mia Malkova…hahaha
