Ctrl-App-Delete-Time to Look Up!

Ever too often in the recent past I have seen the 'Look up' videos. It highlights a campaign which aims at minimizing the time spent with technology and admiring the real world. For me, it meant spending more time with the kids. After I saw the 'Look up' videos, I started taking note of the times my kids had to nudge me to life to get mine or the husband's attention. And it was always! Each time either of the kids came to us for something, both of us were staring at our phones. Most of the times it was a game for me and Twitter for Mohit. We both complained of the iPhone's draining battery. No one told us we use it too often that we drain the damn thing of its life.

So to take control of my life, stop to smell the flowers, hug the kids and kiss the Mr., I have decided to do an experiment with myself. Each Saturday morning, I will delete an application from my smart phone. This will go on week after week until I delete all 45(just counted) of them from my life. Today is the first day and I didn't choose the app. Yes, that is another strict test that I am subjecting myself to. I asked my kids to randomly select an app on my phone and I deleted it. Today was the turn of the Times of India(TOI) app. It is gone! Now i am down to 44 apps.

On an average I was perhaps opening the TOI app 4 times during a day. Mostly while in the loo. And mostly reading random, crazy news or surfing stupid fashion pictures. Nothing ventured, nothing gained! But a lot of time wasted perhaps. After all, a TOI app isn't the only way to stay updated with the world's news. In fact, even if I am not updated about the latest volcanic eruption in Iceland then how does it matter? Would I miss the volcano news for the first time my 15 month old calls me 'Mama'. You bet your boots!

This is the first week and an easy app is out of my life. The coming 44 weeks might mean deleting Facebook and Twitter which if left to me would be the last to go. That is the reason I left the option to the kids. It is them who deserve to pluck the culprits who are eating away the mummy's precious time. After all, the kids grow up only once. Apps come and go!

I am learning! I suggest each one of us does something to 'Look up, Take notice and Live!