Towards the end of the year, I spent a lot of time at home because I had to use annual leave/PTO or lose it. We all need the time to rest and recover and the fact that I was in “use or lose,” was an indicator that I had not done that enough over the year. Spending time at home, I found myself more and more on my phone, especially on social media. This is self-defeating.
Robin Sharma talks about the need for solitude, but covers the fact that we get caught up in “following the herd,” and eliminating digital distractions. Every time we go to social media or attention-keeping websites, we prevent ourselves from being more productive. And given the research on blue light and how it affects our health, spending too much time on our smart devices is harmful. So why do we do it? Most of us know that spending a lot of time on social media and surfing the web isn’t good for us, but we still do it. Why? Because it fills the vacuum.
Cal Newport in Deep Work talks about this issue. I’m currently absorbing the book through Audible, and one of the things Newport recommends is to plan your down time. Pursue a hobby. Work out more. Our bodies need rest, but not in a “sit on the couch and surf the web” type of way. More that our bodies and minds need change. So if you like model railroads, plan to include working with them in your down time. If you want to go out and enjoy music more, do it. Don’t leave a vacuum.