I spend a lot of time on the internet. I am addicted to Facebook, probably Instagram, too, and I love to read blogs. I do have a Twitter account, but thankfully I can’t quite figure out how to use it, so I don’t spend too much time on that at this point.
Don’t judge me. I am a stay-at-home mom, and I get bored sometimes. I enjoy the adult interaction that the internet affords me. Anyway, don’t act like you aren’t on Facebook all day, too. I see you on there.
All jokes aside, though, I do recognize that this is a problem. My children are growing up so fast, and I don’t want to waste a minute. I don’t want to be crabby when they interrupt me when I am reading my “friend’s” latest rant or the funny meme someone just shared. I want to be present in my life, not my “friend’s” made-up online life (let’s be honest, what we put out there is not who we really are).
Have you noticed all of the things circulating on Facebook and other forms of social media that are basically telling people to get off of the Internet and spend time with REAL people?
This one is fairly popular:
And here’s another:
There are tons of videos out there, urging us to cut down our time on the phone and computer. There are inspirational blogs and quotes and pictures of kids being ignored by parents on cell phones. Isn’t it ironic that the message to unplug is so prominent on social media?
The real question is this: when are we going to listen? How much of our life are we going to waste before we act? I say no more.
Ephesians 5: 16-17 says, “Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.”
Are we making the most of the time that God is giving us? Are we neglecting the things that God has given us to do, so we can spend our precious minutes scrolling mindlessly through the newsfeed?
I truly believe that we are being distracted from the work that God intends us to do for Him, and it is time to do something about it.
“For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” James 1:23-25
Let’s listen and obey.
Throughout the month of March, for 31 days, I am going to challenge you to unplug, to spend your time in your real life with your real people. Every day I will have a new post on the topic of unplugging. Sometimes it will be a new challenge for you, sometimes I will offer suggestions for things to do to fill up the time you will inevitably find, and on some days I will have guest bloggers sharing their stories of inspiration.
When I mentioned to a few friends and family members wheat I was planning, they pointed out the hypocrisy of my 31 Days Unplugged challenge. I am trying to encourage people to read my blog so they can be encouraged to spend less time on the internet? For that reason, I will keep most of my posts short and simple, and I will release them at 9:00 every night. That way, you can spend only a few minutes reading my blog, and you can read it when it best fits into your schedule.
So let’s do it.
Join me on March 1st for the first day of 31 Days Unplugged, and your first challenge!
**Some housekeeping notes: If you are joining me on this challenge, please grab my 31 Days Unplugged button and share it on your blog if you have one.
I would love to hear from everyone about your experiences throughout the month! Feel free to comment on Mommy in Bonlee’s Facebook page, or in the comments section of the blog. I would love to hear from you and someone may be encouraged from your story. Please remember that I will be participating in the challenge, also, so I may be slow getting back to you!
On March 31st I will be holding a link-up to share everyone’s stories of being unplugged, so please link-up your blog on that day!
I will never forget a few years ago I was walking down the street and met a young couple holding hands and both of them talking on cell phones. I will see what I can do toward this goal.
Gary, I hate seeing stuff like that! And I hate doing that, too!
Thanks for participating!
I love this! The first video really hit home for me. I’m always the one talking and having a conversation while everyone else is on their phone. I can’t wait to see the posts coming up!
Thanks, Kerri! Glad you are joining us!
And thanks for your help with this, too! You are AWESOME!
Anytime! I love supporting people and things that I’m passionate about! 🙂
Reblogged this on Dobyville Diary and commented:
I am sharing a post from my cousin’s blog concerning an effort to reduce time on social media and the internet. I am not going cold turkey but plan to use this as an opportunity to reduce time on social media. It does seem ironic to use a blog as a way to reduce time plugged in but I guess that is way things work.
Just to Let you know my plans for this effort
1. I looked and have 7 games I play on facebook. I am reducing that to 2 for the month.
2. Am making a list of tasks I have put off. Plan to do one thing on the list before turning the computer on each day of the month
Gary, thanks so much for participating! Your plans sound great. Keep me updated on how it is going.
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