This morning, I embark on a weekend backpacking trip without technology.
After living for a year in a cabin with no electricity, I learned to deeply appreciate life away from all the innovations and technology of today. Don’t get me wrong, I believe we are better off in many ways with the technology advances that have come in the past 100-200 years.
I can’t imagine a world without cellphones for communication. Traveling in horse-drawn carriages would be so much more difficult than riding in a car.
However, because of all of these things, I get distracted from some of the things I love most. I love seeing God’s beautiful creation. While I see it every day on my way to work, and sometimes even work in it, I feel I am not fully able to appreciate it. There are so many other things vying for my attention that I can’t fully take it in.
By going out without technology for a weekend, or if possible, a full week, I feel I am really able to take it in for what it is.
I’m not unhappy with what I’m doing. I’m not living only for these times of getting away. If that were the case, I should choose a different job path. Only living for Friday nights and only liking your life when you are away from what you do most is no way to live (even though many people do it).
Instead, these times of getting away refresh me so that I can continue enjoying what I’m doing. If I got paid to hike all around the world, I bet I’d get tired of it. I bet I’d love the chance to just go into the city and chill in a coffee shop instead of climbing a mountain.
I don’t hate what I do, I simply love doing other things too.
I’ve found not only one thing makes me come alive. Humans are complex individuals. Maybe getting out and backpacking won’t refresh you. Maybe it would stress you out more. But there’s something out there that will.
Find that thing and make time for it.