I don't know when exactly actual spoken phone calls gave way to texting in my life but I reckon I text my friends 3:1 (maybe even more) of talking to them. I used to have an unspoken rule with myself that I'd never call in sick by text, cancel plans by text or text just to say hi - reserving it for practical, time-saving messages only. Now I consider it, all of those text-morals have slipped by the wayside.
Obviously texting is genius for so many reasons – speed/ cost/ convenience/ not interrupting people/ multi-tasking etc but I feel it really has replaced emotional contact in my life (laughter, sharing, support , connection) so I'm putting my theory to the test.
Findings:
This was a great kick-off exercise (not too hard) and has proved to be quite thought-provoking. I called people instead of texting and had some lovely chats; I spoke to a friend on the phone for the FIRST TIME despite the fact I've already known her 6 months and met up on a number of occasions. I was even able to get comical spoken support for my 2 day hangover instead of merely languishing in it! Result. Here are my bullet findings:
Let's face it, to do that, I'd have to lose all 8 inboxes (yes, 8 I counted) for 3 days. I'll build up to that one - I've still got 11 months left!
Now for the rating for this challenge....
Text abstention certainly did add value and insight to my 3 days. I'm pleased I did it, conversations enriched my days and I will try to carry through those learnings. I would recommend it to anyone, just to "free thyself" from phone addiction - even if it's just a tiny step!!
However, I have to honestly admit that because it is only one of a handful of communication methods that modern technology offers, it didn't really break the circuit of my busy life or my multiple-streams-of-daily-communication-habits, I think I may need to go a bit more hardcore to see a difference.
ZEN-giving-properties = 4 out of 10
Obviously texting is genius for so many reasons – speed/ cost/ convenience/ not interrupting people/ multi-tasking etc but I feel it really has replaced emotional contact in my life (laughter, sharing, support , connection) so I'm putting my theory to the test.
Findings:
This was a great kick-off exercise (not too hard) and has proved to be quite thought-provoking. I called people instead of texting and had some lovely chats; I spoke to a friend on the phone for the FIRST TIME despite the fact I've already known her 6 months and met up on a number of occasions. I was even able to get comical spoken support for my 2 day hangover instead of merely languishing in it! Result. Here are my bullet findings:
- In my experience if 50% of outgoing texts were replaced by voice calls, every day could be a little cheerier.
- In the midst of a crappy day, no text can ever replace a lunchtime laugh with a friend
- Conversation often drifts beyond the scope of a text...."how are you? how is your day?" and brought me REAL social connection
- We develop and build relationships through conversation - if I let texting replace conversations, I am limiting how well I get to know people
- I stopped myself from sending several utterly pointless texts I would usually have fired off without thinking eg) OMG that's now 13 mozzie bites. I hate mozzies!!! Self-control felt good and I'm sure Jones was happy not to have pointless waffle flooding in.
- I became very aware of just how many people I was "in touch" with at any one time. I usually consider it to be efficient but I realise that the technology just means that my expectations of myself have simply grown exponentially. High quantity, low quality social interaction.
- I had no "I MUST reply to that text" guilt that usually plagues me and often feels like just another chore
- About 50% of my usual texts are short, sharp, detail-confirming texts and I did miss them - it really is a wonderful thing be able to do as you run from one thing to another.
- With so many alternatives to texting...Facebook, Skype, email - giving it up alone did not strike a real blow to the heart of my message-fuelled life
Let's face it, to do that, I'd have to lose all 8 inboxes (yes, 8 I counted) for 3 days. I'll build up to that one - I've still got 11 months left!
Now for the rating for this challenge....
Text abstention certainly did add value and insight to my 3 days. I'm pleased I did it, conversations enriched my days and I will try to carry through those learnings. I would recommend it to anyone, just to "free thyself" from phone addiction - even if it's just a tiny step!!
However, I have to honestly admit that because it is only one of a handful of communication methods that modern technology offers, it didn't really break the circuit of my busy life or my multiple-streams-of-daily-communication-habits, I think I may need to go a bit more hardcore to see a difference.
ZEN-giving-properties = 4 out of 10