The time to ITEMISE our online activity is NOW
As I write this, much of the world is sitting under lockdown, confined at home, and facing realities unlike anything we’ve gone through before due to the Coronavirus or COVID-19.
Sure we have endured tragedy before.
The terror attacks of September 11th.
For Millenials, the tragedy of the Space Shuttle Columbia.
For the Gen X’ers and older, the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
And for our oldest community members, all these and far more.
My point is that, although we have faced tragedies and disasters before, we always had our communities to draw strength from during that time of struggle and need.
Not so this time. Or do we?
Never in the history of humanity have we had the degree of connection that currently exists via the World Wide Web or “Internet” as the younger folk call it.
From the 1st world commerce centers to the most rural of isolated communities, technology now interconnects us in ways previously unimagined.
Yet, despite all this connection, many of us feel unbelievably alone as we sit quarantined. Isolated from our routines, our faith and work communities, and sometimes even our families.
In part, this feeling of isolation is a product of our own making. And that means there is absolutely something we can do about it.
Despite our new physical isolation, most of us are still bringing portions of our communities into our space with us every day.
Millions of people are now navigating working from home; a space that previously meant freedom from the demands and challenges associated with work and that can add stress to a formerly safe space.
Similarly, millions of our youth are now expected to transition into an absolutely unfamiliar digital learning format, often without any formal training by family at home with them, and sometimes without even the technology needed to do it well.
The sounds of online classrooms are mixing with work demands and the pains of family or friends newly laid off or facing challenges, to the tune of desperation and chaos in many of our households.
I want you to take heart and know that there is hope for us during these times.
We have the ability to ITEMISE the things coming into our homes, and in so doing, limit some of the negative elements dragging us down each day.
The content we see online directly affects our mood and well-being, and it is okay to filter that content.
Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay
My acronym is a method that can be applied to any of our extensive technology influences, to allow us to decide if that stimulus has a place in our daily routine, or in our newly changed homescape.
Let me break it down.
When you open your email, social media, or answer phone calls and texts, I want you to allow yourself to make a call each time. Know that while it is important for you to do your best, NOBODY is expecting you to do all these new things, many for the first time, perfectly.
Each time you look at an email, post, or contact, ask yourself if it is:
I INSPIRATIONAL
With millions of us facing unprecedented challenges, the last thing we need is more negativity. Allow yourself to enjoy Inspirational content, and to discard anything laced with negativity or despair. Our situations are difficult enough without adding unpleasant content to the mix. Let those things go by. If the person, post, or presentation inspires you to thrive in this time, keep it in the mix. Ditch the rest.
T TIMELY
Is this thing I’m looking at relevant to me here and now? Hoarders and Procrastinators (like me) are notorious for gathering around us things we mean to get to, often to the detriment of what we need to act on in the now. Give yourself permission to move on past anything that doesn’t either: affect you now, have an immediate impact on your life that you care about AND can change, or will impact you in the near future. Concentrate your efforts on what you CAN do in the here and now. Delay or delete the rest.
E EDUCATIONAL
With many of us having more time on our hands than we’ve had since we were ten, this is an outstanding time to learn. YouTube channels focused on teaching or e-courses through sites like CreativeLive or Teachable are amazing avenues for us to bring new and amazing knowledge into our lives and those of people we care about. If something comes through your feeds that you can learn from or which makes you better, consider it. If it doesn’t help you move that needle, go ahead and let it go.
M MOTIVATIONAL
I can’t be the only one here who has lately been looking at that alarm clock like an occasionally pointless fixture with our new normal. While we may be setting our old routines aside, it is important to build a good new routine and motivational stimuli can be a big help. If the things coming through your feed push you to take the next step toward a goal, finish a project, or improve a relationship, keep them around. If not, ditch them.
I IRREPLACEABLE
While a huge variety of material will cross your social media feeds and inboxes, it is important to remember that you can easily find that material again with a simple online search, and most of that information will be wrong in a fairly short span of internet time. Make sure you are only saving material that meets the earlier criteria or, which is truly irreplaceable. (Think Nana’s Beef Stroganoff recipe or that image of Grandpa’s Proposal Letter.)
S SPIRITUAL
While it’s important to have faith, it’s often easier to have faith in a community. More than ever, people are reaching out to members of their faith communities through the web and trying to knit a stronger whole to overcome this trying time. This offers the added benefit of groups being able to work together to benefit those in their community who are most in need. If something comes along that moves you, or you have the opportunity to share something that moves others, consider keeping that in your rotation.
E ESSENTIAL
The last category of material that should be popping in your feeds and inboxes are the essentials. These include notices about bills, information from your city or utility company, and of late – critical health information. If the thing you see proves essential to getting by and meeting your basic requirements. If it doesn’t, and it doesn’t meet the previous categories, consider letting it go by the wayside.
That’s it!
You are the best judge of the content that comes through your feeds.
Nobody can judge how it impacts you as well as you can.
If the things you see help you grow, meet a goal, or feel peace in your life, keep them around.
Otherwise, give yourself permission to let them go.
Life is hard enough without extra negative influences.
And remember to put this in practice with what you share too!!!
Always Digitize Deliberately!
Digital Dave
Digital Dave
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