One of the things that worried us most about taking the workamping gig at Amazon’s distribution center in Kansas was their strict no cell phone policy. That would mean for 12 hours a day for a month, we would have no contact with the outside world – a very weird concept for us digital nomads. Afterall, we generally chose our camping spots based on where we can boost up the best signal so that we can remain connected digitally to our friends, family, colleagues, clients and news of the world.
Working 12 hour days at Amazon’s distribution center over the past month has forced us into a digital fast.
And it was good.
The first couple of days we’d spend every last second in the parking lot with our iPhones, soaking up as much bandwidth as we could. We’d both grimace as we turned them off and put them in the center console to enter the gigantic warehouse. And then we’d rush out as quickly as possible after our shift was over, checking e-mail even before we’d start the windshield defrosting the ice that had accumulated overnight. And as soon as we got home to our campsite, we’d both be online trying to catch up with the world.
An interesting thing happened about 2 weeks into our gig – the iPhones would stay in the center console until we almost got home. And we’d both hop online just long enough to answer e-mails from loved ones and make an occasional twitter update or blog post. Our reliance on staying connected had been broken.
At the end of the gig, when we could resume our normal constant access to the digital world – I found myself more centered on the reality in front of me. Dinner with friends was not interrupted by my constant urge to check e-mail, Facebook and Twitter. I didn’t get the disconnected twitch, and I was more engaged with the awesome people in front of me. The iPhone stayed tucked away until it was actually needed to check weather forecasts and routing directions to our next destination.
From this perspective, our time at Amazon could be compared to going to a digital addicts rehab center or a mediation center – and getting paid to have treatment!
We wish all our followers the very best this holiday season … and urge you click the close button above and divert your attention to things more precious right in front of you. After all, there’s no prize for the most amount of bandwidth consumed. The only true reward in life is the quality of experience you create for yourself.
I think that a lot of people are far more “addicted” to the internet than they realize. I spend way more time on the internet than my boyfriend does, but by the same token, I don’t mind being away from it – I’ve never been a compulsive email checker, etc. He, however, gets twitchy if he hasn’t had access in the last 8 hours, and even sometimes checks his email on his phone while we’re out at dinner! When his computer died last month and it took 3 weeks for him to get a new one, he had to deal with using my computer only once or twice a day, and I thought it would help out, but…no dice.
.-= Kelsey´s last blog ..One Blog, Two Blogs: To Split or Not To Split? =-.
8 hours? 🙂 When we’re in connected mode.. I get twitchy after an hour or so. But, when disconnected – easy enough to adapt.
Merry Christmas to you both. I’m looking forward to your continued adventures. 🙂
Tango
.-= Tango´s last blog ..BBBRRRR….9 Degrees at 8:30 This Morning =-.
great post. I can relate to what you’re saying, and yes, the bottom line is the experiences in life.
You have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed new year.
Rasheed
.-= Rasheed Hooda´s last blog ..Know Thy Self =-.