After the recent attack of cervical spondylosis I realised screen time management was an imperative for me. The pain, swelling and stiffness in the shoulders did not permit even holding the mobile in hand for long. I took a break from blogging.
As I got better I thought of resuming but a little pressure on my hands brought back the pain, swelling and the dreaded vertigo. I am much better now but my shoulders are weak and need constant monitoring, care and exercises.
I have resumed blogging. I post sometimes twice even thrice a day. If I have something on my mind I don’t let it sit or fade away. I take it out of my system. Its therapeutic. So no compromise on that. But I have fixed a routine. I choose a time which does not affect or hamper other daily chores or important works. I let the thoughts out and then keep away the mobile from my vicinity.
I only receive calls from family and known callers. If I miss out on any messages and notifications I always respond back later. I am not a WhatsApp person. I check the mail periodically and reply. I am off reading on Kindle at present. But I do devote some time to read/like/comment on the posts of fellow bloggers.
I have restricted OTT watch to an hour a day. I am not using laptop for certain medical reasons but hope to do so in good time in a restrained manner. The biggest change that I have consciously adopted is keeping away from mobile at bedtime. No scrolling in bed. Instead I put on an audio story or a mind stimulating talk which acts as a great sleep inducer as well.
Post retirement I am consciously following a minimalistic lifestyle. That curbs the desire for unnecessary online browsing and shopping.
Having said that there are cheat days. To err is human. The big thing is to realise that you are cheating and make amends.
I do not believe in prolonged digital fasting which in today’s time is impractical. But I do follow an intermittent schedule of digital detoxification. I call it Digital Doori or Digital Distancing.
How about you all? How are you maintaining sanity in this era of overwhelming digital dependence? Please share if you have some good tips for improvement.
You’re doing great Geeta. I think using a laptop can be useful as we can arrange it at a convenient angle and place it in such a way as not to strain the next or spine
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You are right Sadje. I think that’s a great idea. But since I am having optical issues I am avoiding a laptop for the present.
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That is wise
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Largely restricting my own posting to once a day; working on comments very early in the morning
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Thanks so much Derrrick
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A steady, thoughtful rhythm—Digital Doori at its finest. Interesting to know the reason, the effects and your adjustments with life’s chaos.
My addiction was different type – but connected with lowbackache due to 24 hrs carrying heavy camerabodies and equally heavy lenses, mind you in spite of me not being a professional photographer.
We learn lessons late and sometimes too late. And GC, there is no escape, though one can take various measures available, but suffering continues silently and none can understand our day to day difficulties.And this is the penalty we pay, but addiction is too hard to resist.
There are no good tips or bad tips.
We all have to adjust our body system according to what it insists at this age. No more we can insult it. Let us be kind to our body and respect it atleast from now on.
Okay enough, I bored you with my experience etc.
There is a small correction, what you said. It’s not cerebral spondylosis…it is cervical spondylosis, the correct, medical term. Thank you for withstanding my sube sube lecture.
Have a wonderful digital doori day. 😄😄
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Oh! Thank you Mr. P. How did I miss that? I meant Cervical but my super intelligent mobile replaced it with cerebral. Thanks for correcting me. I will edit it right away.
And you are absolutely right in saying all the adjustments should be in accordance with the body type and it’s particular malfunctions.
Even if we don’t want to accept the fact that age is taking over.
Thanks once again for the detailed reply and the correction.
Have a nice day.
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GC, always happy to save the day from overhelpful autocorrect adventures. Cervical, cerebral… the mobile clearly wanted its moment of chaos and confusion.😂.
And yes, the body has its own rulebook at this stage, and it keeps revising chapters without asking permission. Adjustments become a lifestyle, not a choice.
Glad it helped. Enjoy a calm, chaos-free Digital Doori day. 😄Praying Ma Durga to improve the air quality.
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Thank you so much Mr.P
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No need to thank GC. We’re all best blogomates here. Namaste.
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Thank God you didn’t think I was hiding my dumbness behind mobile goof up.
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Not at all, GC—your mobile just grabbed the spotlight like an overexcited toddler. The “dumbness” stayed far away; only AutoCorrect’s talent for mischief showed up. 😄
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