{"id":304,"date":"2010-11-22T11:28:55","date_gmt":"2010-11-22T11:28:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/inspirationreport\/2010\/11\/9-ways-to-turn-off-technology-and-return-to-love.html"},"modified":"2010-11-22T11:28:55","modified_gmt":"2010-11-22T11:28:55","slug":"9-ways-to-turn-off-technology-and-return-to-love","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/inspirationreport\/2010\/11\/9-ways-to-turn-off-technology-and-return-to-love.html","title":{"rendered":"9 Ways to Turn Off Technology and Return to Love"},"content":{"rendered":"

Guest Blog By Melissa Blackmon<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

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Remember the days when you and your significant other talked for hours about everything, from your favorite movie to what your children’s names would be?   <\/span>Fast forward a few years and your biggest conversation of the day might have been a message saying: “Pick up milk…c u soon…LOL.”  <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n


\n\"4_39355210.jpg\"<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Imagine a world free of cell phones, lap tops and television and the only entertainment is a rocking chair, a battery operated candle and your husband.  <\/span>This is how I spent my last our summer and how we turned off technology and returned to love.<\/span><\/p>\n

            <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

After nine years together; a typical evening for us included two laptops, our favorite show on the television and the occasional text.  <\/span>This summer we decided to unplug and return to the days of simple conversation.  <\/span>It’s amazing how you can reconnect while sitting in the dark talking about lighting bugs, crickets and the stars.  <\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Can’t totally turn off technology? Then utilized it to connect with one another. <\/span>Here’s how you can do it too!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Stop Updating Your Status<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Facebook can be fun to reconnect with the past, but it’s easy to get lost in time.  <\/span>Focus on the present.  <\/span>If you can’t get away from the status updates, why not send them to each other throughout the day.  <\/span>It will make the anticipation of reconnecting a little more exciting.  <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Stop Texting<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

You see it at the mall, restaurants and even driving– texting has taken over.  <\/span>I’ve actually seen couples text while sitting right  <\/span>next to each other.   <\/span>There are hundreds of acronyms you can use to chat but is it really that important?  <\/span>Why not just use this, ILU (I love you).<\/span><\/p>\n

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Cut down on Your Minutes and Turn Off Your Cell Phone.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Remember when cell phones were used for emergencies only?   <\/span>Return to those days and try to only be available for your favorite guy or gal.  <\/span>Make their ringtone your wedding song to make it extra special when they call.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Close Your Laptop<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/b><\/font><\/p>\n

It is so easy to get lost in the world of the Internet.  <\/span> <\/span>After all, you can find everything you have ever wanted.  <\/span>Love to search but can’t give it up?  <\/span>Trying looking up this, “How to plan the perfect date night.”   <\/span>Your love will think of it as time well spent. <\/span><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

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Follow Your Spouse, Not Celebrities<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

I have personally never found time to “follow” anyone other than my husband and kids. Is it really a priority to find out what some celebrity is doing at a point in time?   <\/span>Why not just send a “twitpic” to each other.  <\/span>I find this especially useful when my husband travels.  <\/span>He loves to see shots of me and the kids throughout the day. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Create a Special Game<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Have you ever tried to have a conversation while playing a video game?  <\/span>Not easily done, therefore another way technology has become a third wheel.  <\/span>Although if this is your favorite pastime, try playing against each other.  <\/span>A little competition could heat things up and winner gets to pick a prize.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Turn off the<\/span><\/b> TV Unless You Tune in Together<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

I<\/span><\/b>n the days of the DVR, why not tape your favorite shows and have one designated “TV” night instead of seven.  <\/span>Pop the popcorn, cozy up and consider it a date night.  <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Email Love Notes to Each Other<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Who knew email would be such a hit. One can easily get lost for hours chatting the day away.  <\/span>Have an email addiction?  <\/span>Why not send out a love letter?  <\/span>For some it’s easier to write out your thoughts then to speak them.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/b> <\/p>\n

Turn off the electricity…and Turn Up the Heat.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

A spur of the moment romantic evening came one night when we lost our electricity.  <\/span>We lit up the candles, popped the cork and chatted the night away. Spread out a blanket and add in a picnic and you’ll have a night to remember.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Melissa Blackmon is a freelance writer and mother of two.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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