5 Simple Ways to Set Boundaries with Your Technology

Have you set boundaries with your technology?

By technology I mean social media, your phone, television, computer, anything that beeps or talks at you (no Alexa’s or Siri’s allowed).

Before I go any further I feel I should make a disclaimer.

Technology has done incredible things for our world. It’s allowed scientists to discover vaccines that have saved millions of people around the world. Technology has inspired the creation of rocket ships, and has allowed us to drive cars instead of a horse and buggy. It allowed for the invention of airplanes which have opened our worldviews immensely and was a part of why we have refrigerators which keep our food cold 24/7.

I truly appreciate technology.

But sometimes it drives me crazy.

So, I think we need to set boundaries with our technology.

I’m sure most of us have experienced a power outage at some point. What’s the first thing you notice when the power goes out?

It’s quiet.

No buzzing from the wifi. No small sounds from the lights or hum of the fridge.

When it’s that quiet, I often find myself breathing a sigh of relief. And then I ask, why don’t I find and create this kind of quiet more often?

Now, I’m not implying that you need to turn off all of your lights and unplug your fridge. But I am trying to bring awareness to the fact that technology is such an integral part of our lives that sometimes we forget how to function without it.

It’s like the saying goes “Too much of a good thing is bad for you.”

We’re so used to having our phones in our pockets during dinner that watching someone look at their phone while you’re in midsentence is normal.

Having a moment of solitude in the morning is non-existent since you’re usually reaching for your phone to check social media or your email.

Binge-watching television has become so normal that Netflix said their biggest competition is the fact that people need to sleep.

Do you see what I mean when I say we need some quiet?

Or at least some boundaries?

If we aren’t careful, the technology we think we are controlling is going to start controlling us. For some of you, it already is controlling your life.

If you hate the feeling of being tethered to your phone, hurrying to answer someone’s call or email, or having no creativity to do anything at night, why don’t you start with my 5 simple ways to set boundaries with your technology.

Notice I said 5 simple ways, not 5 easy ways.

Putting boundaries on things is never easy, but these ideas are simple and once you put your mind to it, I promise they will become a regular habit.

1. Put away your phone at mealtimes

Be present at meals. Put away all electronics at mealtimes. And I mean away, like in the other room not in your pocket or on the table. It’s a pet peeve of mine to watch people pull out their phones to “look something up” only to watch them get distracted by social media in the process. I want you to taste your meal and enjoy the company you are with. If you live alone, use this time to reflect on your day.

2. Spend the first hour of your day without your phone

I know, I know. For many of you this is shocking. “But how will I know the weather?” Or my favorite “What if someone called me or texted me last night?” My take on that is, they’ve clearly waited more than 6-8 hours for a response, another hour isn’t going to make or break it. Remember, the need to respond to others quickly is an urge that technology has created. Anyone who needs you to respond to something in under 10 minutes should go take a nap in my opinion.

3. Spend at least 2 nights a week learning a new hobby

Now this is intended to make sure you understand, I don’t think TV is always bad. I love to watch Parks n Rec or The Office on those nights where life just happens. But entertainment is meant to be just that…entertainment. When did we forget how to entertain ourselves? So go dust off your guitar, pick up a craft project, learn how to use your fancy camera. There are so many options, so invest in yourself!

4. Don’t check email between the hours of 7pm-8am

Again, this can seem crazy to some people. “But what if someone emails me and it’s a crisis and I have to help right now?” Well, if that’s happened to you more than 10 times in your life, we can talk. But I’m guessing that for most of us, the “crisis” emails only come during the day. In the olden days, people weren’t able to bring their computers home at night, and so correspondence had to be left to time spent in the office. Technology has made it possible for us to take our office home with us, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Set this boundary with your email (both your work email and personal email) and find some breathing room again.

5. Read before bed instead of scrolling social media

Most of us are guilty of this. We scroll social media thinking we’re winding down because we’re still reading right? But are we really? Because I think probably we’re comparing our lives to someone else, coveting the things others have that we do not, and wishing we were different. Is this really what we want to fill our minds with right before we sleep? Probably not. So find a book to read before sleep. If you’re anything like my husband he enjoys non-fiction more than fiction. If that’s you too, just make sure it’s not a book that’s going to keep you up at night. Check out my post on books featuring strong women for some ideas.

This is the start of gaining back control on your technology and on your life.

It doesn’t seem groundbreaking, but it probably is shocking to some.

Perhaps there are a few of you that say “I don’t need to do that” or “I could have boundaries with my technology if I wanted to.”

Well, I’d like to invite you to give it a try.

If you go two weeks with these habits, I can guarantee that you’ll feel more alive, more present, and have more energy for your day. Another two weeks and you’ll wonder why you felt such an attachment to your device in the first place.

So I hope you decide to set some boundaries around your technology.

All it takes is a choice.

And that choice could change your life for the better.

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