Or at least as much as I can. I’ve been feeling my screentime edge up even more than usual lately – not helped by working in online media, of course.

So I’ve compiled a list of things to do that don’t involve the internet. I don’t see the point of taking a complete break – people do need to contact me, and with a small business I don’t want to miss a single message. But for the foreseeable future I am going to take any chance I can to travel back to a simpler time, before laptops, smartphones and social media turned many of us into eye-strained zombies; and everything into a photo op.

My ground rules for 1999 living:

• Streaming TV on my laptop is ok – it’s the only way we can watch TV here
• Messaging and email are ok – when my phone rings nowadays I’m filled with wonder and/or panic
• Podcasts are ok – modern radio, really
• Blogging is ok – obsessively checking my stats is not

Other than that, let’s unleash our inner neo-luddites! Put that phone down, and:

• Read a book – a real bound book, with paper pages and ink print
• Cook something
• Bake something
• Make something
• Go for a walk
• Play board games
• Take a bath
• Listen to music
• Explore your city
• Visit a museum or art gallery
• Go shopping
• Watch the passing parade from the vantage point of a nice cafe
• Write with pen, on paper
• Try a new look, update your makeup, maybe even a new hairstyle
• Exercise however you usually do, or try something new
• Meet up with friends;  but once you’ve all arrived – put your phones away!
• Get a massage, a beauty treatment; hipster dudes, get a pro to shape your beard
• If you feel like you need to talk to someone, enlist a friend or seek out a professional
• Go see a film at the cinema, or support local musicians or theatre
• Meditate
• Garden, even if it’s just some tiny potted herbs on your windowsill
• Play with your cat, your dog, your kids. Give them your 100% undivided attention. They can tell the difference. I know it’s not possible all the time but…
• Do the dishes. Go through your wardrobe. Organize your books. Pick a task that’s been bugging you for a while and just do it. Might be tough to get started but it’s worth it for the sense of accomplishment when you’re finished.
• Go get ice cream
• Become a charcoal snob. Read a book while you wait for the coals to turn that pale ashy grey, then grill vegetables, meat, whatever you fancy
• Drink a really nice glass of wine, beer, whisky, a great cocktail