Hello Lakers, welcome back to another episode of I’m Doing Fine. I’m Bella, senior here at Grand Valley, pronouns she/hers.

I’m, Emily pronouns she/hers, and I’m also a senior at Grand Valley.

I’m Katie, pronouns she/hers.

I’m Keegan, pronouns she/hers, and I’m a senior at Grand Valley.

We hope you all enjoyed your break. We’re back at GV readjusting. You might have been unplugging over your breaks. Spending a little more time doing things that you enjoy, away from the computer, and just relaxing, enjoying time with your family. As you came back to school, you might have noticed, it’s a little bit harder to do that when you’re in the full swing of the semester, with finals right around the corner, including papers, projects, presentations, and just about everything in between. You might be feeling a little bit overwhelmed and notice sort of technology burnout. So, we’re going to start our episode with a little bit of an exercise, to see the extent of technology burnout. *laughter* Alright peer eds, what would you do without your phone, right at this moment. Say someone just threw it in an aquarium and it’s gone, it’s done. *laughter*

I’m not gonna lie, I’m glued to my phone it seems like, it’s always in my pocket. I would be lost. I mean I think I definitely need to throw my phone away something, cause I get sick of it. But like, I would not know what to do with myself. I would feel like so disconnected from like the world immediately.

I literally would be lost. We were talking, I would not survive without my GPS. *laughter*

I use my GPS way too much. Like even in places where I know where I’m going, like-

Oh no, me too.

Sometimes I keep it on, just so like I know what time I’m going to arrive.

Yeah, I do that, and also I use the ways to tell me where cops are.

Yeah. *laughter*

I need to slow down here.

Slow down. You mean maintain speed right?

Yeah. *laughter*

Totally agree like we, kind of hyper play on everything now because we can, it’s just the temptation to put everything into our phone and our notes app and just keep track of everything.

And I feel like sometimes, because I have my phone on me while I’m in public or I’m waiting for something in line, like I don’t just like look at my surroundings. Like I literally go on my phone.

No I feel that.

Instead of like talking to people, I’ll go on my phone.

I don’t know what I would do either, cause I set all my alarms in my phone.

Yes, yes.

So like, how would I wake up?

I wouldn’t be able to wake up. *laughter*

Um, so while checking social media and while being on your phone is something that we all probably can’t live without in today’s day and time, um there’s also probably some benefits from kind of putting ya know like the phone away and kind of staying away from social media, especially during this time of, ya know like finals and writing papers and all that.

Yeah. To like add on, I feel like we’re just so accustomed to how you mentioned just mindless scrolling. Whether it’s like hours at Tik Tok at night, mindless like scrolling through Pinterest, creating random Pinterest boards for your future wedding that you may or may not have. *laughter*

The accuracy.

I feel like, sometimes we just use our phones just as like a way to pass time, rather than really think about other things that we could be doing that might be more beneficial. Because in reality, using too much technology is bad for our health. Like mindless scrolling and how the blue light is really negative towards our health. It also just takes up so much time and energy. Honestly, being on my phone exhausts me personally. Like, sometimes responding to texts, as much as I want to talk to people and love being social, it’s just exhausting, absolutely tiring. Like, going through it, making sure I’m saying everything. Me and Bella were just talking about like email anxiety. How, making sure that when you send an email to like a professor, does it sound good, did it send, there’s so much to worry about that sometimes I think we’d be better off without social media in general.

Yeah, I definitely feel like that sometimes. I know on social media, I’ll like compare myself, like what I’m doing versus what other people are doing. Like on Snapchat, when I see people having a really fun time, and I’m in my room trying to get homework done. *laughter*

Private stories.

Yup. Or the private stories. *laughter* And I also get a sense of FOMO, fear of missing out, if I don’t have like that connection constantly, if I’m not talking to my friends, texting, knowing what they’re doing. Which can honestly be hindering and bad for you health and for your productivity, like if you’re always connected.

I know my personal way of trying to fight off the FOMO is I try and be mindful of what I post, because I know I wouldn’t like to see other people bragging about everything so I try and kind of do the same thing. But I also like to post things that make me happy. So, if it makes me happy I’ll post it, hoping that, you know, trying. And to go off of the whole idea of being mindful of what you post on the internet, it’s also important to note that what you post is public most of the time, and it’s kind of a public resume. So I personally, I want to work in education as a school counselor, so I can’t really be posting pictures of me doing nonsense things. I wouldn’t, cause I don’t like to do those things, but it’s important to note that what you post is public, not only for your friends, but it could be seen in the future by an employer.

Definitely. I feel like it’s so, like, even if you think it’s private like, there are so many ways these that you don’t-

For sure.

So I think that you just have to be really mindful of that. To go with that, I think it’s important that we make sure that we take breaks from social media. And one way that our phone does offer is the do not disturb feature. Anyone use? *laughter* I know some people use it for an hour a day, and some people use it all day every day. Personally I think it’s a really good way to just like disconnect from all the notifications and really get done what you need to get done, whether it’s homework, whether it’s having a conversation with someone without being bothered by your phone. And I also like the um, app limits, that like iPhones, I think every other phone has, where you can like set limits of how much your on certain apps, so that helps, like restrict how much time you’re on social media. But, although we do have this do not disturb feature on almost any technological device, we still have responsibilities that do require the use of technology, like school and work. And if you’re like me, you use your computer for about 90% of your homework. *laughter* And sometimes it’s just exhausting being online all the time. On your phone, on your computer, switching back and forth, and it just is just a strain, to, I’m just, it’s exhausting honestly.

Oh yes, and like we’ve been saying how even just keeping up our social profiles is like another full time job on your devices. *laughter* It’s just, there’s just no distinction, no separation where all of these different aspects of our lives become blended. I am in bed with my phone. I am typing papers on my notes app on my phone, it’s just so, it just overwhelms every other aspect of your life.

I have to agree with that. Like, I know, even when I’m like doing homework, like my break, I just go from my laptop to my phone.

Me too.

And my break consists of TikTok and other social media. *laughter* Which is not really a break. My brain is still working, and I just like I’m still looking at a screen, and I know that can’t be good all the time.

Usually I’m shuffling between the same apps. Oh I wonder what’s on Reddit, I just checked that two seconds ago but maybe… *laughter*

And I also feel like, just like our brain is constantly going, going, going, going from computer to phone, that we should really practice more unplugging resources. Just get off your phone and like, even just doing like deep breathing or something, like that is so helpful. I had like a class in high school that I will never forget every day before class we would stretch and do deep breathing for five minutes and like I found that to be so helpful as a break from homework. And while I do still check my phone sometimes, sometimes you just need your brain to like slow down, and I think that’s a really good way for your brain to do that.

I think it would be like really awesome to like reinvest in some hobbies that are not technologically related. Like I know, I was actually thinking about this the other day, um, about what I like used to do before I got a phone, like when I was a kid. Even like coloring.

Yeah.

Polly pocket.

Yeah, just like crafting and like painting.

Writing stories and not caring how bad they were.

I think that’s always fun.

I’d like name my characters.

Kind of like now, like I feel like I don’t have any hobbies that don’t require a phone, because instead of doing hobbies like I’ll sit there on my phone for hours, and I think that it would be kind of nice to just get way from that screen.

I feel like going off of that it’s hard to have a hobby that doesn’t involve some sort of technology just because technology is everywhere. Like we talked about, it’s at work it’s at school, it’s in your bedroom. It can be hard to like find a hobby that actually disconnects you from technology and kind of brings you back into the real world, and that you’re able to like, redevelop those relationships maybe old relationships or new relationships, but, it can be hard to like, reconnect, I think.

Also, it’s important to know that like how we communicate, and like, our relationships with human beings is like, we literally have such a close connection to someone but have never met them face to face. And that’s like crazy to me. Like, our social skills have completely diminished in my opinion. I feel like we don’t know how to have a real in-person conversation with someone because we’re so used to just texting someone and editing what we say so it sounds perfect, rather than just having a conversation.

Yeah, I agree with that. I feel like with like having my phone on me at all times, if I ever feel uncomfortable or don’t know anyone around me I’ll just pull out my phone.

Yeah.

Instead of trying to like get to know another person. Like, never will do that.

No I feel that. Like you’re almost in the second to third last week, and I started my class today just silent. The professor wasn’t there and nobody was talking because everybody was on their phone. I just think that’s crazy.

I also think it’s kind of crazy when you are having a conversation with someone, and I’m sure we’re all guilty of doing this as well, but just like when you’re talking to someone and they’re looking at their phone, they’re not really engaging in it, they seem like disinterested. I feel like there’s so much of that now and I think we’re all culprits of doing that and it’s just such a, it’s just shows how technology has really changed the way we interact with others.

That’s a good point too. Um, I personally find myself doing the same things, where I am choosing not to engage because I’m shy or I’m nervous or I don’t really feel like it and that phone is a crutch. Where, like, Keegan you said when you think about it in the morning you could have just had a nice conversation with a classmate or, my favorite was always just, when the class would go off on a tangent and erupt into laughter over something completely unrelated to the lesson. I feel like those moments are getting farther and fewer between, because, it’s a choice to be engaged.

And I think, like, when we’re on our phone, and I’m guilty of it too, like I really don’t engage as much as I should, but I feel like we’re also not getting some social support because of that. Like I know with classmates, like, for example, if I was engaged, like I might feel more comfortable in like, asking them if they want to study together, or, like collaborating on certain projects. Like, there’s definitely classes where I don’t know anyone because, I don’t talk to anyone.

Yeah.

I agree with that. I have a fully online class, and I’ve never talked to anyone in that class, and that blows my mind. Honestly, I feel like, you used to think of classmates as a constant, like relationship that you always have. Like in elementary school, I like knew every single person and knew what they like and what they didn’t like and now I don’t even know like, people in my one class, like.

I don’t even know my neighbor, confession. *laughter* I stay in student housing, and I just, yeah, like my social skills are really atrophied where I’m just, oh that’s fine I’ll just talk on the group chat- *laughter*

So, while we’re talking about how technology can affect us, negatively and positively, the overall question is how do we reconnect without tech? So, there’s a couple of resources the Grand Valley campus has, one of them is called Press Pause. So that is through the RecWell Center, and they do different events. Starting in January, there gonna have a theme or so each month. Bella, you wanna talk about January theme?

Yes, so, the first theme would be rest, which is my favorite. *laughter* That is January, which I think is actually really valuable because I know that is a month where everyone is really ready to tackle their goals. The new years resolutions if you partake in such. I always have the same one. Um, and that is just to be happy actually. And-

Oh, I like that.

And I think that there’s tons of different ways you can find your happiness. I appreciate the resting in January, because sometimes we can forget that in order to have a good routine, you also need to factor in rest in the self-care or else it’s going to be a sinking ship very quickly. But there are other months as well.

Yeah, so um, in February, Press Pause, they’re gonna be doing an unplugged theme, which is similar to kind of everything we’ve been talking about. They’re gonna talk about like, how to get off technology, why being on technology for so long can be harmful at times, and then they’re also gonna, um, try to like help you understand some activities you could do, instead of being on your phone all the time. Like exercise, conversing with others, just things that will overall enhance your well-being.

Yeah, and kind of going along with that, March is sleep, which I think we all are lacking. *laughter* I think it’s important to learn how to make sure we completely shut our minds off when we go to sleep.

Yes.

And I think they’ll help us with resources, whether if it’s like a relaxation technique, or maybe they just have like, I don’t know about you guys but I have, there’s this app called HeadSpace.

Oh yeah.

They’re called sleep stories and I only found out about it recently and I listened to it and it really helped, so, it just kind of like resources to help you sleep, sleep is very important and as college students I’m sure we’re all not getting enough of it.

And then to end off the school year, in April they’re doing a whole month on self-care. I know I love some good self-care, whether it be taking a bath, whether it be reading, just whatever you can to take some time to yourself. And those events they have planned January through April, but of course there’s always the counseling center which runs all year. And, so, we wanted to recommend kind of a way to unplug from that, because we know there are some online services that you can use. You’re always more than welcome to stop by in person. There’s sit-in spaces, we have coloring sheets.

Grab the best ChapStick on campus.

Yes.

It’s right up in the front.

Vanilla mint.

The best.

Every time we do an event, people love the ChapStick, so you guys need to come check it out. *laughter*

And also just, the student services building in general, and the buildings on campus, I know I’ve really been trying to absorb all the artwork. I’ve mentioned it in the past, we have the second largest collection in Michigan. Art work is in pretty much every single building. And just sitting in the student services building before peer ed and chatting with y’all is so nice. You can absorb so much of your surroundings.

Yeah, and I remember talking about this, but the location of the student services center is kind of perfect. It’s right in the middle of everything. There’s, Bella was talking about the fountain you can look at. There’s also like, it’s right in the middle of Mackinac and like the library and Kirkhof. There are like some cute little spots where you can study, even though it might be smaller than like the library I think it, it would be really beneficial for you guys to check it out, and just the resources we have here. Not just the counseling center, but the student employment office if you’re looking for a job, the financial aid office, career center, there’s so much here. I think it would be a really good way for you guys to unplug, get off your phones, and walk over to campus and check out this really awesome building.

Absolutely agree. And while we’ve thrown out a lot of resources at you, we’re gonna talk a little bit more about things we like to do. Our peer ed picks. And I’m actually going to start mine off talking a little more about my favorite resource right now, and I wish I would have taken advantage of it before, is the rec center. And, Keegan is actually my inspiration for this week’s peer ed pick. *laughter* Um, I just decided, you know what, I really want to focus on improving my fitness, just get my VO2 max up, that kind of thing, just measurable metrics, and try and accomplish a goal. And so, before the holiday break I made a challenge to go to a different fitness class every day of the week. It was only five bucks for a month, and there’s so much to do. I did barre, booty yoga, spin.

Spin classes, oh.

Yes. I did total body strength, women on weights, it was a hoot. And, I’m looking at the swim classes cause why not. But maybe when it starts warming up, because my hair freezes.

Oh, yeah. *laughter*

Yeah, my peer pick is, I really enjoy cooking. I’ve been trying to spend more time um, like, thinking and planning out like what I’m going to cook for dinner. Instead of just like, quickly grabbing, ya know like fast food or something like that. And spending time away from my phone and my laptop. Um, and it’s also like, something that I need to do anyway, so it’s kind of incorporating um, something that I need to do with something that could be more fun and not be technology related.

And it’s so fun to try what you make.

I feel like you appreciate it so much more when you made it yourself.

Yeah.

And to talk about what I like to do, as Bella mentioned, I love working out. I try to work out every day, even if it’s just doing a quick run, or whether it’s just a quick Pilates real quick. It really helps me destress. And I grew up my entire life competitively dancing and now that I’m no longer competitively dancing I still enjoy like going out, moving my body just for me. I still teach occasionally, teach, um, choreograph dances, and that’s a really fun way for me to kind of unplug from the world. It’s like my little secret weapon. It’s my stress relief. *laughter* And along with that, I also love, which we were talking about, listening to music. As we said, our Spotify wrapped had come out, and it said I listened to 50,000 minutes of music, which is kind of crazy. *laughter* But, even though it does use technology, it’s really good to just plug in and then just put your phone away and just listen to that music while you’re doing whatever you need to do. Whether it’s cleaning, homework, it’s just really a good way for me to destress personally.

My peer pick for the week, I couldn’t decide between two so I chose two anyways, but I did fitness kind of like how Bella was talking, I love going to the rec center. I take so many classes there. I take lit and fit and I take Zumba, so I, as you can tell I like to dance. And then I also love to walk on the indoor track. And then usually when I’m done working out I’m always hungry. So then I’ve gotten into cooking, kind of like Emily had said. If you go on Pinterest, which I know is online, but I figure it’s ok, but I like to try, I like to try new recipes. I made zucchini tater tots. They were so good guys. They were so good.

That sounds good.

And as you heard all out lovely ways that we unplug from this world, using both technology and not technology, I hope this podcast really gave a good overview about how to be more intentional with your use of technology. Being more mindful of what you’re posting, and how much you’re on your phone, and remembering to take breaks from it is super important. But with that said, we know you guys have some finals to be studying for, some papers to be writing, so we are going to send you guys off, and we will see you in the new year. Happy holidays if you guys celebrate it and-

Bye! *laughter*