AnneT1985 Posted July 16, 2014 Posted July 16, 2014 Hi y'all! How are you doing? Question please and thank you. I have a young friend in her early 20's who has decided she wants to live a more "organic life" and has essentially moved away from technology outside of her work place. She is an introvert but will always attend important events she is invited to, but does not use email or text outside of work, does not use Facebook etc. She instead hand writes people cards and letters and calls. I personally love this but she has told me she receives a lot of complaints about this and lost some friends. What do y'all think about this? Do you find her methods odd and unrealistic or neat and refreshing? Thanks so much! xx 2
salparadise Posted July 16, 2014 Posted July 16, 2014 Perhaps a bit archaic and against the grain, but it's her choice and it's really not anyone's place to judge. Personally, I think she should be lauded for it. Since grade school, my daughter has not experienced life or the world separate from texting, streaming video, her own cellphone, computer and iPad. Her phone pings constantly. The perpetual connectedness is as much an addiction as a convenience. I think it would be great if she would eschew technology for a year just to gain insight into what it was like to live on the planet for the previous 3 million years. I remember her cackling out loud one day about 4 years ago when I told her that I had sent my first text message. 3
Philosoraptor Posted July 16, 2014 Posted July 16, 2014 Sounds like a good plan to me. I rarely touch the computer or phone outside of work. It sit in front of this screen all day and the last thing I want to do is the same thing once I get home. It slows the world down some to not have everything on demand. 2
pteromom Posted July 16, 2014 Posted July 16, 2014 It's not for me, but good for her for being true to herself. When you are true to yourself and do things outside the "norm", you'll always lose friends who don't get it. But I would just be supportive of her choice. As long as she isn't turning her nose up at people who choose differently, no harm is being done. 1
tnimbus Posted July 16, 2014 Posted July 16, 2014 Hi Anne T! I love your young friend's gumption and I salute her!!! I have been doing the same thing myself recently, though not quite to your friend's extent. It's amazing how much time you find (and inner peace) when you cut down on or cut out social media, etc. It's also amazing just how many "friends" and "family" get MAD about it!!!! Your friend is not alone in her quest to have a simpler, more private and more authentic life. I think she sounds like a lovely person who is forging her life the way she wants. Total respect for her. 1
MidwestUSA Posted July 16, 2014 Posted July 16, 2014 Neat and refreshing! I thought maybe you were talking about yourself (the handwritten cards and all!) I've often thought I would have done well living in the 'Little House on the Prairie' days myself. . Except for that whole dying during childbirth business. 1
Author AnneT1985 Posted July 16, 2014 Author Posted July 16, 2014 Hi Anne T! I love your young friend's gumption and I salute her!!! I have been doing the same thing myself recently, though not quite to your friend's extent. It's amazing how much time you find (and inner peace) when you cut down on or cut out social media, etc. It's also amazing just how many "friends" and "family" get MAD about it!!!! Your friend is not alone in her quest to have a simpler, more private and more authentic life. I think she sounds like a lovely person who is forging her life the way she wants. Total respect for her. Thanks Tnimbus. I also think her methods are pretty neat, I love handwriting cards and notes to people, although I also haven't cut down on technology as much as her. Amazing it's actually something worth losing a friend over though isn't it? Sounds like you're doing a great job!
Author AnneT1985 Posted July 16, 2014 Author Posted July 16, 2014 Neat and refreshing! I thought maybe you were talking about yourself (the handwritten cards and all!) I've often thought I would have done well living in the 'Little House on the Prairie' days myself. . Except for that whole dying during childbirth business. I do love sending handwritten things, Midwest! "Little House on the Prairie"-love it! xx 1
Woggle Posted July 16, 2014 Posted July 16, 2014 Good for her. I am not quite like that but I do not text and I have a blank facebook rage. I just don't care about social media. 1
Author AnneT1985 Posted July 16, 2014 Author Posted July 16, 2014 When you are true to yourself and do things outside the "norm", you'll always lose friends who don't get it. Well put. I didn't think about it like that! xx
Els Posted July 17, 2014 Posted July 17, 2014 I wouldn't judge anyone for it. But it does seem similar to the people who stuck to candles on purpose after the electric lightbulb was available because they thought it was 'better'. I'd guess that most of her friends aren't ostracizing her on purpose, they're just finding it really difficult to organize meetups with her if the only way of communication with her is via post. Or does she answer non-work-related emails and phone calls at work?
Grumpybutfun Posted July 17, 2014 Posted July 17, 2014 I thought I was a rebel for eschewing Facebook. G 3
Emilia Posted July 17, 2014 Posted July 17, 2014 I don't have a smart phone and have no internet connection or TV at home. I do text and call outside work but only email here. I've been doing this for about 3 years now and it's fantastic. Only had a smart phone for about 6 months. Probably living in Africa did this for me, you realise how much BS and Marketing there is when your brain is plugged in 24/7. 1
Author AnneT1985 Posted July 17, 2014 Author Posted July 17, 2014 Or does she answer non-work-related emails and phone calls at work? No she doesn't. The only ways to reach her outside of work are by phone or post.
Emilia Posted July 17, 2014 Posted July 17, 2014 No she doesn't. The only ways to reach her outside of work are by phone or post. That should be good enough.
TigerLilly78 Posted July 17, 2014 Posted July 17, 2014 I think the entire Social Media always connected thing actuality disconnects people more often then not I've seen members of my own family get forgotten cause there not "on face book" its like the younger generation doesn't know how to actuality use a phone to make a call! anymore its quite sad.. 2
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