Back when I was small (okay, smaller… #shortpeopleproblems), I lived by the quote: “Dance like nobody’s watching”. As I’ve gotten older, that quote has changed into: “Dance like nobody’s watching, because they’re not. They’re looking at their phones.”
These days, we’re all about our technology. But the reality is that no amount of technology will ever outdo the benefits you get from one-on-one interactions. So here are three ways to help you put down the phone and pick up the fun.
- Set A Timer
- You are likely far more productive in your spare time than me, but I know I’ve spent more hours than I’d care to admit mindlessly surfing the internet, reading Facebook posts, and getting distracted by the many other things found online. And if you’re anything like me, you’ve also secretly wished you’d kept better track of the time. A great way to fix that? Set a timer! Whether you set it for 20 minutes or 60 minutes, it’ll help you stay on track.
- Create Goals
- Setting life goals like “lose 15 pounds” or “learn Italian” are awesome, but I’m thinking on a smaller scale for this one. Made your monthly mortgage payment? Reward yourself with 30 minutes of online time. Did you put in two extra days at the gym this week? 45 minutes of Facebook!
- List Out All The Things You Did Before Technology
- Yes, that might seem like you’ve never lived without it, but the reality is that most of us remember a time back before portable phones and super sleek computers. Remember all of the things you used to do? Weekly calls with grandma, meeting up with people to share photos, actually calling your best friend to catch up on their life…a thing of the past, right? Nice try, but no. Write out a list of all the things you did before texts and emails and start getting some one-on-one time with the people in your life. I’m guessing you’ll feel closer to them and may even be glad of some time spent away from your phone or computer.
Working in a dance studio, you’re probably thinking I’m anti-technology. And I’ll be the first to admit I’m not the most tech-savvy gal, but I definitely know how awesome it is staying in touch with friends and family through social media. However, I’ve also seen how many tech-dependent students look forward to putting their phones down in order to create valuable connections with people face-to-face. So my goal for you? Take a chance, schedule a dance, and find out for yourself how great it is to put down the phone and pick up the fun!
Written by: Kelly, New Student Director from Arthur Murray Dance School of Bellevue
