Techno-fast Paper
Before this techno-fast, I knew that I was addicted to my phone. One Saturday, I spent eight hours
on my phone. When I saw that number, I took some small steps to correct the problem, but had little
success. First, I would I delete one social media app, but I would use another. If I deleted them all, I
would use Safari to watch more videos. I felt as if I was in a constant battle to overcome temptation. My
cell phone addiction interfered with my life by ruining my productivity, hampering my social interactions,
and even lessening my sleep each night.
Because my entertainment addiction was affecting so much of my life, I was looking forward to
this techno-fast. I decided to do without all entertainment on my cell phone so that I would not slip into
the same traps as I did in my earlier attempts. In all, I did not allow myself to access Facebook, Youtube,
Instagram, Snapchat, Netflix, Pinterest, and any gaming apps for fourteen days. In place of them, I tried to
incorporate more Bible reading and prayer into my life. With a clear plan, I was hoping that this fast
would make a help me quit my bad cell phone habit and spend more time focused on God.
To begin the fast, I put all of my “forbidden apps” out of sight. At first, I did not struggle with
temptation at all and felt confident. However, that resolve vanished when I found that someone close to
me had lied to me. I was hurt, emotional, and desperately wanting a distraction from my feelings. I
opened up my phone only to be disappointed that I could not be instantly whisked to another world where
I could brainlessly watch characters live out their dramatic lives while I forgot about the problems in
mine. Instead, my problems were not going away and I had to deal with them. While this incident had
nothing to do with my fast, I realized that my fast affected how I dealt with this situation. I grabbed my
journal and my Bible so that I could resolve my hurt with God instead of numb the pain with
entertainment. Even though my emotions were not easy to process, in the end, I was able to reflect on the
cause of the emotions and look through my Bible to find answers.
In addition to addressing my problems differently, I also began approaching work differently. I
was surprised to accomplish a considerable number of tasks during the first few days of my techno-fast. I
did not take study breaks that consisted of Youtube videos and Netflix shows, which made an incredible
difference in my productivity. Before the fast, I knew that my cell phone was stealing my attention away
from homework and other responsibilities, but I did not realize how drastically my daily life would
change without my cell phone. Instead of switching from my attention between my phone and my
responsibilities, I focused on individual tasks much better. After completing my required work, I filled my
empty time with reading, being with others, and other intentional tasks.
Reflecting on how I spent my hours lead me to question how I was wasting so much time on
entertainment that did not benefit my life in many ways. I wondered whether I had this much time before
the fast. So often, I had felt that my schedule was so full that I did not have enough time to read other
books or spend more than fifteen minutes with my Bible. By cutting out all video entertainment, I added
several hours to my day. On my busy days, I did not see this difference as much, but during my slow days
(particularly weekends) I noticed a huge increase in the amount of time that I felt I had. Each day, I had
the same amount of hours, but taking out the unnecessary hours spent on entertainment, I had more time
for what mattered more in life.
The key area I tried to focus my extra time on was time for reflection with God. Since the
beginning of my years in high school, I have kept a daily journal. Each year, I get a new journal and fill it
with whatever is on my heart during that year. Journaling has always been the best way for me to focus on
a prayer, organize my thoughts, or work through emotions. Before the fast, my journal had focused on big
life events and decisions, such as selecting a college, finishing my high school career, living in India by
myself, and starting college. During my first few days of the fast, I spent a lot more time journalling and
processing everyday thoughts on paper. However, after my thumb was injured, the doctor would not let
me write or grip a pencil. While my injury was incredibly minimal, this small event greatly affected my
techno-fast, rendering journalling impossible. While I did attempt to type my journal entries, I was too
distracted and simply stopped setting aside time to be quiet with God.
Despite avoiding social media and entertainment apps, I found that there were a lot of other
things distracting me. Eventually, I became continually distracted by life and lost my time that was
designated for spending with Jesus. I never broke my fast by opening the “forbidden apps” during the two
weeks, but I did not spend much time in prayer or quietness during the last week of the fast. Homework,
extracurricular, work, and a hundred other tasks diverted my attention away from quiet time with God. As
I reflected on this, I had to ask myself if I would always find something to distract me, no matter how
many distractors I take out of my life. At this time, I was reading about Klaus Issler’s idea of gaps in our
spiritual lives. To apply what I learned in Issler’s book, I have realized that there is a gap between how
much time I want to give to spending in prayer and how much time I actually spend. However, I did not
know where to go from there. I wondered what would keep me from being distracted. I never came to a
conclusion about this question.
During this fast, I also learned that I deal with my stress by immersing myself in media. When I
was upset, I struggled the most with temptation to break the fast. Apparently, this is a common remedy for
a bad mood in my generation. Among my peers, Netflix is one of the favorite ways to relax after anything
stressful. Often, I have watched a show to escape the dread of responsibilities. When studying for an
exam, my friends and I let ourselves become distracted by social media to postpone stressful studying. A
quick internet search reveals shows that promise to put viewers in a better mood, feel good about
themselves, and even help depression. This fast opened my eyes to how much I use media to change my
mood and cope with stress.
Even though I have used technology in a negative way, I also realized that technology is an
incredible tool. Technology allows me to access an enormous amount of information, accomplish tasks
much more efficiently, and connect to others. While I had used the internet to search for entertainment
before my fast, I realized how beneficial the internet was for researching and learning. During the fast, I
also used my phone to organize and finish tasks. Through texting and phone calls, I kept in contact with
my friends all over the world. As a member of Generation Z, I cannot imagine life without instant
connectivity. For me, the two-week fast showed me how beneficial technology is outside of
entertainment.
After the two weeks were over, I was shocked by how quickly I become immersed in media
again. I wasted so much of my time watching videos and scrolling through my phone. For me, the
temptation of social media is not as substantial as the temptation of shows and movies. At the end of the
first day off of the techno-fast, I realized that I can wasted a couple of hours on my phone. Even though I
had learned during the fast that my phone was stealing my time from what actually matter, I fell into the
same traps when I finished the fast. After reflecting on this problem, I decided that I could not continue
down this path.
I came to the conclusion that my obsession with entertainment interferers with and sometimes
supersedes my time focused on God, my relationships, and my academic career. Instead of destressing
with my Bible and prayer, I watch a show before bed. Even though I should go to God with my worries,
problems, and anxiety, I turn to the internet to control difficulties. In groups of friends, I choose being on
my phone ever being present. I even interrupt face-to-face conversations to check my phone. My
academics are also affected by my cell phone. When I take study breaks to watch Youtube or Netflix, my
productivity grinds to a halt. While I get all of my work finished on time, I experience unnecessary stress
when I procrastinate. Overall, my entertainment addiction is negatively affecting all of the most important
areas of my life.
Looking back on my two weeks without online entertainment and social media, I would conclude
that my spiritual, relational, and academic life was better during the techno-fast. Even though I will not
completely eliminate entertainment from my life, I will make some serious adjustments to my lifestyle.
The techno-fast has demonstrated that my cell phone was negatively affecting my life in ways that I did
not realize. After completing these two weeks, I have begun restricting my media consumption and
seriously considering eliminating it for a longer amount of time. On the whole, the techno-fast has made
me aware of my own gaps and given insights for positive changes.
Journal Entries:
Friday, Nov. 3,
Someone lied to me and hurt me pretty badly today. When I got back to my dorm, my first instinct was to
watch something on my phone. Fortunately, I moved all of the forbidden apps (Facebook, Youtube,
Instagram, Snapchat, Netflix, Pinterest, and any gaming apps) to the last screen on my phone. I caught
myself before I opened any entertainment. Instead, I grabbed my journal and talked about my hurt with
Jesus.
Saturday, Nov. 4,
I craved entertainment so much today. I was so bored that I was actually super productive even though I
so badly wanted to spend most of my day watching a screen. I journalled twice as much as I usually do; I
even read a ton of my Bible.
Sunday, Nov. 5,
Today, I needed the time with God that had so often been stolen by entertainment. As it turns out, my soul
had been very hungry. I kept trying to satisfy this with “self-care” but I really needed soul care.
Monday, Nov. 6,
The techno-fast did not affect my life as much today. Monday hit me like a rock, as Mondays do
sometimes. Because I was so swamped, I barely noticed that I couldn’t be on certain apps.
Tuesday, Nov. 7,
I whined to my roommates that this techno-fast “is killing me.” In reality, it is very good for me and I
have been wanting to do it for several months. I did not start it on my own because I knew that I was
taking this class. I keep staring at my phone in utter amazement that there is nothing to entertain me, then
turning it off in disappointment.
Wednesday, Nov. 8,
Today was so busy that I almost forgot that I couldn’t be entertained on my phone. I spent so much time
working on homework and being with friends, I had no time. Today I also went into the doctor for joint
pain in my right thumb. Ironically, this inflammation may be due to overusage of my phone.
Thursday, Nov. 9,
Today I had to have my thumb splinted because the joint was so inflamed from overuse. Unfortunately,
now I cannot write which takes away one of my favorite ways to talk to God: journalling.
Friday, Nov. 10,
I felt so overwhelmed today, but I had much more time on my hands because I didn’t waste time on
electronics.
Saturday, Nov. 11,
Wow, today was really tough because I had very little to do and I could not write. Journalling is really my
best way to focus on prayer and organize the Bible verses that I have been learning. I really miss being
able to write in it.
Sunday, Nov. 12,
The techno-fast was just inconvenient today as I needed to access videos on Facebook to learn something.
I had one of my friends send me all of the material, but I really just wish I could have been on Facebook.
Monday, Nov. 13,
I just want this techno-fast to be over, but I am getting used to being without it. I can’t imagine what it
will be like to have technology again.
Tuesday, Nov. 14,
Today I got to Facetime with one of my best friends who lives three hours from me. I am so grateful for
technology that allows me to instantly connect with people from everywhere. So much of technology is
good and necessary for everyday college life. However, I have almost idolized it so that I prioritize
entertainment over everything that I actually have to do.
Wednesday, Nov. 15,
Today was another day where I so badly wanted to relax after a few stressful meetings with some
entertainment. I should have read my Bible instead, but I just spent time with friends.
Thursday, Nov. 16,
Today was the last day! Is it wrong to be excited to end my fast? Everyday life might be so different now
that I can watch things whenever I want. Or maybe I will continue to prioritize actual priorities over being
entertained. Maybe I will continue this way of living.
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