For the past many years, as a technologist, I have allowed technology to manage my life. I sit back now and wonder how much of my life has passed me by. How many special moments with my kids, my wife and friends have I missed. My wife tells me that while I am here, I am not really here. I am always plugged in. This opportunity to step off the grid, will allow me to reflect and truly evaluate how much technology I really need in my life. How much I can live without and how it will affect my overall day to day living. Can I be as productive without it? Can I break the “crackberry” habit? Only 30 days will tell…
Therefore, I hereby declare August as Off The Grid Month (OTGM). During the month of August I will not be updating this Blog or the many social networks like LinkedIn or FaceBook. I will not be checking e-mail, using my computer, cell phone and or Blackberry. I will also not be using my ATM card or credit cards to withdraw money or buy things with… cash only will be used. In essence, I will be not leaving a digital footprint for the month of August (actually until after Labor Day).
Why you may ask? After having been in the high tech industry at the dawn of many of these now common place technologies that people take for granted, I have decided to go back to the way it was. To communicate on a more personal basis by using the phone, personally visiting them or hand writing a letter or card to send to friends and or business associates. So to get in touch with me you will have to visit me, write me or call me via a land line. How many of you do this anymore or even remember how to?
Additionally, I will walk, bike or take mass transit to work as much as possible. I will make an effort not to turn on the TV but get my information via traditional methods like the radio or printed newspaper, or magazines (all of course recycled from others having read themfirst). Perhaps catch up on the many books I have not read but have wanted to and to read all the unread periodical magazines that keep building beneath my desk. I will also make an extra effort to fix things rather than replace them and be even more diligent about recycling and not wasting resources.
So what does this have to do with energy? By going off the grid I will save not only physical energy but mental energy as well by not doing the many things I outlined above. I encourage all of you reading this to try to do the same if not for the whole month perhaps a weekend or for a week or two. You may be surprised to see what you can really do without or at the very least learn what you really need.
I will post my experiences on this blog (and perhaps via a video journal) starting September 8th.
Best wishes for a Happy, hopefully grid free, balance of Summer!,
The Editor
PS: If you opt to do this, feel free to write me a hand written note, about your experiences to NRGSPOT, 5 N. Main St, Rear Office, Manasquan, NJ 08736 USA or leave a comment that I will post after September 8th.
