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Reducing my time spent online has allowed me to reconnect with a more focused and deliberate version of myself.
During my school years, technology played a minimal role; instead, the emphasis was placed on academics and physical activities. I devoted nearly all my time to outdoor adventures.
Growing up in India, Shivani was immersed in outdoor play. Source: Supplied
After school, the first thing we did was run downstairs from our apartment to play with friends.
A phone became ‘essential’
Then, during COVID-19, like many people, I found myself doom-scrolling and excessively consuming content.
Shivani has found herself drawn to screens, seemingly without her control. Source: Supplied
It made me feel terrible and deeply unproductive.
That was when I became aware of the drug-like effects of certain aspects of technology, particularly social media.
There was a moment where I felt like I had forgotten how to talk to people.
Shivani Damisetti
Stepping into ‘a different world’
It felt like I had stepped into a different world.
They attracted people ranging in age from their early 20s to their mid-40s.
Shivani has organised events in parks where people can come together and enjoy activities without technology. Source: Supplied
They left feeling detoxed and upbeat, and requested more opportunities to get offline. They told me that not being allowed access to a phone made them more present.
It forced them to enjoy the moment.
The importance of balance
The excessive exposure to content might have caused me to be more cautious about what I chose to try.
The optimal balance is using tech to gain knowledge, then cutting it off to enable creativity to flourish.
These days, Shivani tries to find a balance with technology, using it to gain knowledge then cutting it off to encourage creativity. Source: Supplied
Now that I’ve started to find a balance, I use tech to my advantage, but not in a detrimental way.
