Anna Log

Have you had any cravings to go back to the way things were? Not talking politics now. We had some crazy things going on 50 years ago. No, I’m talking about putting down all the tech tools and revisiting the good old days…okay just the old days.

Some call it a digital detox, but however you refer to it, maybe it’s time to jettison some digital tech tools for a while. If nothing else, we could prove to ourselves that we don’t need some/all that technology 24/7.

Here’s some small mods to get you started. Stop using your smart phone to wake up. Dig out the old alarm clock that is either in the attic or the basement. It will be a blast (literally) to hear that jolt in the morning.

Find your old watch in the nightstand and wear it for a few days just to remind yourself of what it was like to rely on a non-digital tool.

Ditch the credit cards for a week and see what it’s like to pull bills out of your pocket/wallet – at least at the few places left that take cash.

Here’s a  crazy thought. Instead of texting, call up people. It will freak them out to hear your voice but that will be half the fun.

Remember when cameras needed film? You can still find those cameras and buy the film, and it’s just weirdly satisfying to wait until the prints/slides come back from processing.

All those game apps for your smartphone need a rest. Get out the chess or checker sets, Monopoly, etc. and invite some friends over for some actual live game time. Maybe start on a 1000-piece puzzle again like we did during the pandemic.

The Kindle is mighty handy but try going old school for a week or two with just those funky printed on paper books that you hold in your hands.

Blogging is never going away but you can bring back journaling if you dig out a pen and buy one of those fancy notebooks that people buy and then never use. I wish I still had the portable Olivetti (the one in the Museum of Modern Art) but it’s long gone.

Maybe you’re not suffering from digital fatigue and you’re happy with all your digital servants. Try going analog for just one day. If nothing else, it will give you a greater appreciation for those marvels of technology.

Jay Harrison is a writer and creative consultant for DesignConcept. You can also visit his author page here. His newest mystery novel, Rio Puerco Demise is available on Amazon. His first mystery novel, Head Above Water, is also available on Amazon. But that’s not all. You can also purchase the Best of BoomSpeak on Amazon.