Three cheers for a short week thanks to a holiday Monday where most of us were given the day off to spend time with family.
I think a habit that many of us fall into is spending time with our family, even on a daily basis, but not really being present.
You can thank the digital distractions that have come along with the 21st century for that.
That’s why I thought it was fantastic that Okotoks was putting emphasis on “unplugged” events for the day, offering free swimming and skating for families to take part in.
Unfortunately family day for me did not involve a lot of family, as I live about six hours away from all of them, but for me, family time is Christmas time.
I have little cousins who I look forward to seeing each year on Christmas Day, and in the past we used to spend the day playing with a new toy they had received.
Last year, that new toy was a pair of iPods. While my cousins were thrilled at their newfound hours of entertainment, it felt like I really didn’t spend any time with them.
Rather than setting up their new telescope and heading outside to look at the stars, they sat in the corner sucked into a digital vortex.
Full disclosure, I do not have kids. I am sure many will say “wait until you have kids and then you’ll see,” but I am still allowed to appreciate a day that encourages everyone to put technology away and really spend quality time with one another.
And it doesn’t just happen with families. I spent the weekend celebrating another holiday, that of St. Valentine, with my boyfriend, and we too struggle with digital distractions.
Even as we sat across from one another at a romantic dinner out, the quick buzz of a text message is enough to quickly take you out of the moment.
In an effort to unplug, we have a tradition of placing our phones face down in the middle of the table, and the first one to touch it before the bill comes has to pay for dinner. It may not be romantic, but it works!
Though it is a bit disappointing that we have to come up with strategies or even have entire days designated to unplugging just to encourage us to spend quality time together.
The good news is, you don’t have to wait until next Family Day to take a break from technology. Let it be your inspiration to create your own unplugging traditions, even just for a few hours each day.
