A few summers ago, I remember chatting with a group of our leadership girls as they prepared for their afternoon and evening off from camp duties. We were about half way through their session. The girls were all gathered on the office porch as their cell phones were returned to them for their time off. I was struck that as soon as their phones were in their hands, their conversations ended. When I remarked on my observation, they were very quick to tell me how much they had enjoyed the time away from their devices, specifically being relieved of the pressure to respond.
During camp we often talk about immersing ourselves in our surroundings. We take time for in-depth conversations, we learn about one another, we develop strong friendships, and we become more aware of the nuances in our natural world. Even though camp goes by quickly, we all feel we have experienced a collective sigh that allows us to slow down and enjoy life.
Very thankfully, I have never been interested in social media. I have no idea how to post anything, and I am trying to stay that way. I use my age as my excuse! I also have never advanced beyond the single finger typing on my cell phone. However, I am impacted by incoming emails, texts, and phone calls. Just yesterday, I had 2 phone calls and 5 texts in the half hour between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m. It is frustrating when your phone dies by 3:30 in the afternoon because of being on it all day! Do we need to be in such constant communication? I think not.
I love learning. I have always enjoyed current events. Now, I find I need a better understanding of history in order to put today’s news into the appropriate context. I read two national newspapers every day, and I possess a couple of subscriptions to national news magazines. Of course, I also have to include podcasts just so I won’t miss anything. One of my favorite hobbies is cooking, and that of course, requires four subscriptions to cooking magazines and multiple email newsletters. I don’t want to miss out on what could be the best recipe ever! I also like to knit, so I subscribe to two knitting magazine subscriptions and the newsletters from five yarn stores. I like to read library books on my Kindle and I also enjoy audiobooks when I exercise. How much input does one person need to receive?
With so much coming into my brain to be processed, I realized I did not have time for my own thoughts. Additionally, I became aware that I could not be still. I couldn’t watch my favorite show on television without also doing something on a device. My phone was going with me into the bathroom. Really?
This is not who I want to be. I need stillness. I need to be disconnected. I need to spend time with myself and my thoughts. I need to be outside, and I need to hear the sounds made by nature. We ALL need this, and perhaps our children most especially. It was childhood when I learned to knit, to crochet, to garden, to enjoy reading, and to cook. What hobbies do our children have today?
Two things have made an impression on me this week. First, Nurse Eleanor brought our attention to 1000 Hours Outside, activities to match screen time with green time. Second, the New York Times interview with 17-year-old Logan Lane. Of course my searching for the NYT article turned up multiple articles on the hazards of too much time on smartphones, including one from the National Institute of Health citing specific health risks.
I am changing my ways. I am challenging myself to sit still and to stop multitasking with electronic devices. I am working to reduce the input from devices and allow the sounds of the woods to take their place. I am also spending more time with my own thoughts. I can reflect on my days and gain satisfaction from what I accomplish without the distractions from so many other sources of input.
In one afternoon walking my dogs around camp, I found 40 distinct and unique mushrooms. I heard a red-tailed hawk as well as a pileated woodpecker. There is so much to see and appreciate outside. The world looks just a bit different each day: the clouds, the sky, the weather, the light, the amount of green peeking above the ground. My soul is restored when I spend time outside.
We look forward to our summers outside with your girls where we get to exceed screen time with green time. We want to give our girls the gifts of wonder, curiosity, and friendship. These are all so much more valuable than memes and emojis.
