If 2010 was the year of the social network, there is a new movement afoot resolving to make 2011 the year of actually socializing.
LUST (Look Up Stop Texting), a website/movement/online shop whose sole purpose is to get you to live in the moment and get off your iPhone {gasp!}.
Cat Greenleaf, a recovering BlackBerry addict launched the site after realizing she was missing things — like her toddler’s antics — while her head was buried in her PDA.
The mission:
"Living in the moment is getting harder and harder because we're all so distracted by what's going on in the tiny screens in our hands. The lives we're living take place on a miniscule monitor, and the life we're missing out on is: wonder, experience, contemplation, true connection.
The mission of Look Up Stop Texting is to remind us to put down our PDAs more than we do, and live in the actual world instead of in the virtual one. LUST isn't saying we should NEVER text - just that adding a measure of control can add so much to our experience of being alive."
The site offers tips on putting your phone down, a place to share what you see when you finally do look up, and onesies, toddler tees, and phone cases emblazoned with the phrase “Put It Down” for extra motivation.I commend the concept. I do consciously attempt to keep my phone in my handbag when I am with my children. I said "attempt" friends.
Attempt.
I nearly had a heart attack yesterday, though, when my phone died while I was in a doctor's waiting room. Alone. I couldn't tweet or talk or blog or surf.
Devastating.
For at least 20 minutes I was left alone with the thoughts in my own head and nothing to do but observe the world around me. Let's hope that doesn't happen again!
Or maybe it should.
More often.
I'm no social media maven, but I too feel the pull of social network. I limit my kids' screen {tv, computer and video} time every day. Should I place a limit on my own as well?!
Should I also force myself to go outside and play?
