As the world stands, we don’t seem to take time away from technology. Often we find ourselves romanticizing about the idea of taking time away from our screens but rarely does it happen. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to have someone else place in me a state of disconnect. I admit it is disappointing that I haven’t allowed myself to ‘detox’ from technology at my own will, however, I warmly welcomed the new way of life that was presented to me. If you missed my previous blog articles, I was apart of Eco-Challenge: The World’s Toughest Race. Being apart of this race required me to hand in all the technology that I owned.

I was left with plenty of time to think, play, and create over the two weeks. Here are a couple of thoughts from my time off the grid.

  1. I learned how to use a machete and construct bamboo forts.

One of my friends and fellow support crew Marcello, a man from the Patagonian mountains called me a ‘city rat’ whilst camping in Fiji. As much as I love the mountains and jungle, there is certainly a slice of truth to the name he gave me. I can change a tire, hit a nail and maybe assemble an Ikea furniture kit but never have I built homes or structures from the raw materials mother nature provides. In the camps, I would set up a tent and then other structures depending on the time I had available

For life as we know it is a series of experiments. Each of these experiments is a test of either our own truth or someone else’s. Through trial, error, and tribulation, we find out results from these ‘life experiments’ that both astonish and agonize us. It is our ability to learn and critique ourselves from these lessons that allow us to continually experiment with all facets of life. Forever we will draw loose and ever-changing conclusions in our mind that dictate our willingness to pursue a life of vigor and zest, should we choose to. – JL

  1. Community is dwindling but so important

For me, I noticed that in modern society we have become very solitary. We hide in our apartments, in cafes (I do that) or in other confines. We don’t go and check up on people as much as we should, we don’t sit around and tell stories and we listen less. Being in remote communities, I realized the importance of community.

  1. We observe less because we are rarely bored.

Not having any form of technology, I was forced to look and ponder. It sounds silly, but I often find myself scrolling on my phone when I have to wait for something. An example of this, if you’re waiting for a coffee order or to pick up a takeaway, typically, I (maybe you too) will be on my phone. In Fiji, I didn’t have this to do. I engaged in conversation, would people watch or look around at the environment I was in.

I had many more thoughts, but these are just a few.

Catchya soon!

Big Love,

JL

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