January 1—Distraction Free Day to help calm a busy world

Cellular phones. iPads. iPods. Facebook. Twitter. Instagram. Netflix.

From our first waking moment until we close our eyes at bedtime, our modern lives are a non-stop circus of competing electronic devices.

However, it doesn’t have to be all-encompassing. And to cut through the din, Vancouverite Thomas Hicks is organizing a respite, Distraction Free Day, for this coming Friday, (January 1).

Encouraging people to put down their electronic devices and turn off their TVs for the first day of the new year, the 46-year-old yoga teacher sees it as a way for people to examine their internal lives, and learn to be okay with—even feel compassion for—themselves.

“So much of what we do in our culture is knee-jerk reactions and unconscious behaviors,” says Hicks. “We get into routines and live on automatic pilot, especially now with the ease of technology, which can be useful but it’s gotten out of control.”

While putting aside electronics and other diversions may be a tall order, Hicks admits, making the effort is the first step to greater fulfillment.

“Beyond the mechanics of not using your phone and all that, the real benefit is allowing ourselves to struggle with it, be alone with that struggle, and knowing that it’s okay. That’s ultimately what Distraction Free Day is to me.”

And for those with open minds—and even limited free time—Hicks notes that Distraction Free Day can offer real emotional dividends.

“You don’t have to do it for the whole day,” he says, “just face life and notice that—wow—it’s really hard to be alone, or—wow—it’s so much nicer when I’m not online, or—wow—I read that book I wanted to, or whatever…just allow yourself some time to feel and be alive outside of your routines.”

“I’m not saying we have to be nuns and monks,” he continues, “but just have some time with silence. We’re always looking outside, seeking external affirmation or else it’s consume, consume, consume, and that leads to global climate change and all the incumbent horrors of the global economy. It’s a really tough way to live a life.”

Still, Hicks is clearly an optimistic person. And although he doesn’t know how big a response Distraction Free Day will get, the event’s slogan—Increase your compassion as you reduce your distraction—clearly spells out his hopes. 

“The more people who do this, or even think about it, the more a collective critical mass starts happening,” Hicks says. “We all have stuff we need to face—if we can just touch into it, I honestly believe it’ll cause a massive change.”