Check your Watch

We live in a world of want, worry, fear, and dreams. We want to reach our dreams, worry if we will ever get there, and fear the possibility of not. These factors hold us back from that dream, that destination, and the risk that comes along with the ride. We settle for less, for just enough, what everyone else wants or has, or we become obsessed. Obsessed with the possibility of being the richest, the fittest, the prettiest. These obsessions can lead to addictions -- a word not foreign to any common newscast, article, or public service announcement. A word you do not have to look far to find. Some addictions are obvious and evident such as unhealthy relationships with drugs, alcohol, food, and medications. Others are not.

I always thought that I was lucky to never experience these addictions, however I have recently realized that there are some things we are not aware of, but rely on every single moment. One example, your smartwatch or fitness tracker, your steps, the numbers. Do you move because your body feels the need to move and loves the effects on your mind and soul or because your rings aren’t closed on your Apple Watch or you haven’t met your step goal on your Fitbit. Call me crazy, but I know someone reading this relates to exactly what I am saying. The constant need to please a small piece of technology around your wrist. The fear of not filling your rings because that would mean you have not satisfied your movement for the day. No matter how your body is feeling -- tired, sore, or hurt -- it does not seem to matter, what matters is reaching your goals set by your watch.

Most, if not all of us are aware that our world is controlled and run by technology. But in spite of that, we will always have ourselves, our time, and our decisions. These are affected by technology and society, but not determined by it unless you let them. I challenge you to listen to your body, not your watch. Now don’t get me wrong, I love my smartwatch and I will fully admit my addiction to pleasing this piece of technology on my wrist and I will also admit that it brings motivation, but it also brings disappointment in myself when I do not reach those goals that I didn’t even set for myself. I will also admit that it prevented me from resting, listening to my body and mind, and resulted in injury and obsession. So then I wonder, why is something that I fully chose to use in order to help me, controlling what I do? I challenge you to take off your smart watch and instead listen to your whole body rather than just your wrist, focus on your feelings, not the numbers, track your memories not your steps, and fill your heart not your rings.