I felt I just had to write this post on the spot. I’ve just come off the phone from a Facebook video call with my Nana & Grandad. It really made me smile. Not only the fact that they are using technology in their late sixties and (sorta) bossing it, but it just made me really happy that I can do that in 2K16 and not get blown up by the Millennium Bug, ya’know? I can be interactive with my family without so much as clicking a mouse button. We are more connected than ever and I’m so thankful for technology in that respect. Here we go again, the ol’ word vomit is about to happen…
As I’ve mentioned before my Grandad was very, very poorly a couple of years ago before our wedding. Luckily he came home, but he’s just been back in for an operation to sort out some of the underlying problems he has had since he came out. I don’t drive and live about 20 minutes away from my family. Whilst that doesn’t sound a lot, there is no public transport near me that gets me to them quickly or efficiently, so I rely heavily on my husband getting me there (yes, I’m that loser at 26 years old who doesn’t drive!) so to be able to connect with them verbally over the phone is my saviour and now they’ve got Facebook, I can actually speak to them and see their faces at the same time. Almost as if we are in the same room. Isn’t that amazing?
Technology may be many things. It can be tedious. Painful to work with. And sometimes, “disconnect” us ever so slightly if we use it too much but I am so grateful that it has advanced in the way it has. Take blogging for example. Many moons ago, my word vomit would have been written by hand in a fluffy pink “Bang on the Door” diary or notebook (you remember the ones!) It was there that that I’d write my inner most feelings and thoughts, instead, fast forward to 2011 (which is when I think I first started this blog) I put finger to keyboard and did it online instead. My blog, and many others, would not be what it is today if it wasn’t for the invention of the internet.
Some people complain that phones, laptops and other electronic items are taking over our lives, but with every generation there is something new to be explored and understood and it just so happens that in this day & age it’s the advancement of technology. But, on the up side, doesn’t it bring us so many happy memories? At the click of a button on my iPhone I can capture a moment in time that in years to come could be the only thing that can help me remember it. Heck, I’m terrible at remembering things anyway, so I’m grateful for all the visual reminders I can get! It keeps me connected to my loved ones when things get difficult or I just need to blow off some steam. It’s also somewhere I can go online and ask all my blogging friends what they think about something, it’s united me with all these like minded people I would have never met, ever. It is just mind-blowing when you think about it.
I went to dinner with a friend a week ago and I had to take photos of the food as I was doing a review for my blog. My immediate response each time I picked up my camera between courses was “I’m sorry.” or “Sorry, I just gotta get this shot and then I can eat.” She looked at me dead in the eye and said, “STOP SAYING SORRY FOR TAKING PHOTOS. YOU NEED TO DO IT & I REALLY DON’T MIND.” She totally understood that I had to do it but yet, I still felt like I had to apologise and make allowances for the fact that I use technology on a frequent basis. Why?
I admit I do rely on it far too much & I am the first to point that out. With my job, my blog and everything in between (you know the late night pinterest session when you just can’t get to sleep!) I need to be connected more than ever. There is no way you can deny that it is and will be here to stay so let’s embrace it and get to grips with how it can change our lives in a dramatic, positive way!
Do you rely on your phone / technology too much? How do you know when to say “enough is enough” or like me, are you thankful for the way it enhances your life? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
Bee xxx
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