Sometimes I wish that I could live on an island somewhere in a cute little cottage, with zero technology, and simply a giant stack of books. There are times when I am just so sick of being “connected” all the time. I love my job, but there is a certain expectation that you’re available all the time. And the time when you’re not available (like in air during a flight) is typically when everything goes wrong. (Turning on your phone to 37 frantic emails completely erases whatever tranquility you had before.)
It’s exhausting to simply try to keep up. Getting ahead? Nearly impossible.
I treat my inbox like a temple; I try to keep unwanted emails out.
I read paper books as often as possible.
I take technology breaks whenever I feel my patience wearing thin.
But at the end of the day, most of my life (for better or for worse) is tied to one type of screen.
While I find my frustration levels from time to time escalating, I think I forget about all the wonderful aspects of technology.
Technology connects, democratizes, and educates. Technology heals. Technology advances. Technology builds and grows and magnifies.
Your voice can reach millions around the world. Your art can show up anywhere and is accessible by anyone. Your ideas can impact the masses and make real social change.
Technology is revolutionary.
Yesterday, I was reminded of the true wonder that technology can be. It came at the most perfect time. I had spent the entire weekend trying to balance visiting with my family (and sister who was leaving for Australia!) and completing seemingly endless Google hangout meetings, emails, Photoshop files, and blog posts. I tried my best to stay present with my mom, dad, sister, and friends… but then I was up well into the night and awake before the sun to squeeze more things in. I was ready to switch my flight back to Manhattan to the best island I could find to fulfill my cord-free fantasy.
working from home in Florida was a nice change of scenery.
At work yesterday, I was balancing an iPad, my Macbook, and my iPhone staying up to the millisecond on all things social for Levo League’s Office Hours with Warren Buffett. To say that it was stressful and overwhelming would be an understatement. But then, between responding to Tweets and sending out favorite quotations, it kind of hit me how amazing technology is.
Women (and men) around the world were tuned into a video chat with one of THE most influential people in the WORLD, Warren Buffett. He was answering real people’s questions and sharing real anecdotes and real successes and real emotion. The mere fact that his charming personality radiated through a screen was remarkable. His physical being may have been in Nebraska, but his energy was exuding through every single pixel. He was in the office right with me, even though he wasn’t.
Technology can be good.
I think we should realize this and make sure that we’re using it for good. It’s easy to waste technology. We might spend one too many hours a day watching pointless Youtube videos. Or use the ease of communication to talk poorly of someone. Or simply not use the power of it to our full advantage; to spread our voices, our art, our ideas.
The next time I feel like technology is suffocating me… I will remember the good, the true power of it all. Because dealing with 203 unanswered emails is kind of worth it in the grand scheme of things.
I couldn't have read this post at a better time. For about the last year, I've been working for a nonprofit in Houston, and I've recently taken to overhauling our social media branding, strategy, and content. I'm overwhelmed. I actually just filmed a Vine video to quickly pull together all of the places we're active – just Facebook and Twitter seem like a lot before outlets like Pinterest, Youtube, and Foursquare are even considered. But at the end of the day, I do think the time and effort is worthwhile and digital transparency is key for organizations. It's amazing the connections you can make through a computer screen.
I think that you should check out Lara Casey's website– in particular, her blog. She's a business owner and coach, and addresses a number of the issues you talk about in this post, how stepping away from work and creating boundaries actually allows you to perform better at work AND be happier.
I think the key is boundaries. My husband and I recently took a day off work together, and he spent half of it fielding calls from the office. Crazy thing is, his boss and half the staff were also on vacation! There needs to be a point where people say, "I'm not checking" or "I don't have access." But it seems like a lot of people are afraid of the consequences of doing that.
wow, it always feels like I am in total sync with you! Whenever I am going through something you manage to make a post relevant to my situation, it's amazing. It's true though, technology can be a hassle and sometimes even feel like a burden but then again… it's a blessing 🙂
Once The College Prepster, always The College Prepster. I will always love a classic outfit from @vineyardvines– the perfect pieces to kick off my fall wardrobe. Find this outfit, including this must-have wool skirt, in my LTK Shop. https://liketk.it/4Rcup #ad #edsftg
With Jack in preschool and Rory in daycare part time, I am clicking back into gear with work. A little scared to see how it goes and also excited to dive back in. I really do love my job. And as we move into the fourth quarter, things are already heating up- I feel ready to take it on. Before things get even crazier, I also wanted to extend a HUGE thank you to YOU. Whether we’re commiserating about ruined baby naps, chatting about what to wear to a wedding, laughing about being nude and lewd (🤭), sharing memes about American Girl dolls, or adding another bow product to our shopping carts, I’m just so glad you’re here. I’ve been on the internet for so long and can confidently say I have the best group of women following along. We’ve gone through so many life stages together. 🫶🏻
A transitional outfit from @jcrew to bridge the gap between summer and fall with all of my favorite feminine touches. You can shop my whole look, including this must-have-for-fall quilted lady jacket, in my @shop.ltk shop! #injcrew #ad
@simply_elsa and I met five years ago when I moved to the suburbs. I quite literally slid into her DMs after I saw that she was geotagging a nearby town and seemingly liked cute blue and white things as much as I did- that felt like enough to at least start a friendship with at the time! There’s something extra special about forming friendships in adulthood. It feels like a conscious choice more than just circumstantial. 🫶🏻 We help each other with work, with motherhood. Navigating the tough parts of life in your 30s and venting to each other with zero judgment. Sending videos and memes with no additional commentary necessary (a language of its own). Now our children play together (!!!) and it’s just a whole new world there too. So glad I sent her that DM asking for a coffee date five years ago… that coffee shop we went to might not be around anymore but our friendship sure is thriving!
Now that school is back in session and summer travels have come to a close, I can feel my social calendar filling up a bit more. Pickleball, needlepoint club, ice cream/library playdates, GNOs at Chili’s... Even as an extreme introvert, I’m kind of excited to have places to go and people to see and the outfits to wear again. 🍂☕️🤎✨ (Comment “fall outfit” and I’ll send you a link to everything I’m wearing!)
Making @shutterfly photobooks has become a bit of a tradition for our family! I love capturing special family moments– big and small– and then taking those memories off my phone/memory cards and turning them into beautiful books we can look at every day! #Shutterfly makes it so easy to design unique photobooks that will surely turn into family treasures. Don’t forget to use my code Carly40 to take 40% off $40+! #ShutterflyPartner
Are you the one that tweets the #officehours tweets?? I love those! I write them on a white board at work for inspiration for everyone!
I couldn't have read this post at a better time. For about the last year, I've been working for a nonprofit in Houston, and I've recently taken to overhauling our social media branding, strategy, and content. I'm overwhelmed. I actually just filmed a Vine video to quickly pull together all of the places we're active – just Facebook and Twitter seem like a lot before outlets like Pinterest, Youtube, and Foursquare are even considered. But at the end of the day, I do think the time and effort is worthwhile and digital transparency is key for organizations. It's amazing the connections you can make through a computer screen.
http://www.pairhouston.org
facebook.com/pairhouston
twitter @pairhouston
I think that you should check out Lara Casey's website– in particular, her blog. She's a business owner and coach, and addresses a number of the issues you talk about in this post, how stepping away from work and creating boundaries actually allows you to perform better at work AND be happier.
I think the key is boundaries. My husband and I recently took a day off work together, and he spent half of it fielding calls from the office. Crazy thing is, his boss and half the staff were also on vacation! There needs to be a point where people say, "I'm not checking" or "I don't have access." But it seems like a lot of people are afraid of the consequences of doing that.
wow, it always feels like I am in total sync with you! Whenever I am going through something you manage to make a post relevant to my situation, it's amazing. It's true though, technology can be a hassle and sometimes even feel like a burden but then again… it's a blessing 🙂
Twitter for news. Facebook for connecting with friends and promoting social justice initiatives and hopefully one day blogging for similar reasons.