Disconnect to reconnect
When was the last time you struck up a conversation with a stranger? And, we mean in the real world, not on Social Media.
It’s easy to hide behind technology and email your way through adulthood, but the less you use your real-world social skills the less comfortable you’ll become in situations where you need to communicate human to human.
At Barrow, we’re all about real life chitchat. We dislike the mobile-first culture society has created and we are trying our darndest to be more human, less tech. Feel the same? Here are a few ideas to disconnect and reconnect with real life.
Join a meetup
What do you love? Whatever it is, you’re bound to find hordes of people with the same interest as you walking the streets. Head over to meetup.com and get amongst it.
Break up with your smartphone
Ditch the world’s ultimate distraction device and go old school with an updated Nokia 3310, or if you’re not quite sure you want to head back to the noughties, you could opt for the tiny Light Phone dubbed the ‘phone away from phone’. This gadget allows you to have a vacation from your smartphone, staying contactable by using the same phone number. Don’t worry your trusty Barrow wrist watch will keep the time for you.
Take back ‘your’ time
Run a little self-experiment with the Moment app. You’ll be disgusted with yourself, trust us. Now that you’ve given yourself a taste of reality schedule some screen-free time. Try putting your phone away when you get home from work and on the weekends. You’ll be amazed by how much spare time you seem to have.
Eat with strangers
Yes, really. Daniel and I did this in Italy and it was amazing! Head over to eat with and book a seat to eat at the home of a host who will put on a feast for you and their guests (aka, strangers; why is that word so terrifying)?
The irony of recommending you use technology to run away from technology isn’t lost on us. Tech has its place, we just don’t think it should be at the dinner table or in bed with you.
Happy R & R.
