My Holiday Season Plan: logging off to remember how to be human. A few small ideas on my list. What’s on yours?

1. Eliminate or significantly reduce screen time

I am the first generation in my family whose work moved from the physical world to screens. First it was work, then communication (WhatsApp) and finally entertainment (Netflix).

Thankfully, we still can’t eat screens.

Our ancestors lived under the biggest screen of all-the sky, the stars, the galaxy, the universe.

The goal is simple: spend time the way humans once did.

2. Spend time with family

Family doesn’t care what you do, where you work, or what your title is.
Whenever I call home, the first question is never about work.
It’s always: “Have you eaten?”

3. Talk to the older generation—and record the conversations

My mother says, “You won’t believe me when I tell you something, but you’ll believe anything you read on the internet. Maybe I should ask someone to post my words online.”

She’s right. We Google everything. We ask Gemini everything.

Technology has changed rapidly, but human behaviour hasn’t changed at all. Incentives, insecurity, greed, fear, pride, envy, and motivation drive humans.

Listen and learn from the older generation through their lived experience.

4. Listen to the younger generation

A confession: I talk more than I listen to the younger generation. No lecturing, just listening.

5. Break the monotony. Break the rinse-and-repeat routine.

Travel. Eat different food. Try a new restaurant.
Call an old friend you haven’t spoken to in a long time.
Read something different—fiction, poetry, literature.

6. Give something back
Pick a charity or a cause. Give back in whatever way you can: money, time, knowledge, or effort.

7. Disconnect from work
Be assured: the world will run with or without you. Stock prices won’t collapse. The Earth will keep spinning. The sun will rise and set as usual.
Remember, the sun is at the centre of the solar system—not you. The show will go on.

8. Do nothing
Sit on a park bench or a couch. Eyes open or closed. Do nothing. Watch the world or your thoughts pass by.

9. Reflect
We love physical reflections. We stare into mirrors. We admire selfies.
Mirrors and smartphones are everywhere.

At work, they even added a mirror above the hand dryer (perhaps to encourage people to use it instead of paper towels). Humans are more likely to use the hand dryer if there is a mirror just above it.

Now, it’s time for mental reflection.

10. Rest and rejuvenate.
Nothing more to add.

I’ll be offline for a few weeks. Wishing you all a merry Christmas, happy holidays, and a Happy New Year.

Take it easy until next time.

Blogging is something I enjoy, and I share my thoughts on my blog most weekends. Explore all my blogs at https://lnkd.in/ejq7CWaQ.

Views are my own.

Blogging is something I enjoy, and I share my thoughts on my blog most weekends.

Read all my “Notes to Self” at view all blogs.