MENUMENU
  • START HERE
  • Home
  • About The Merry Momma
    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
  • Work With me
  • Contact Me
  • Shop

The Merry Momma

Embracing Motherhood with Peace, Joy, and Intention

  • Motherhood
  • Family
  • Kids
  • Food
  • Homemaking
  • Books
  • Shop

How to Be the Master of Your Technology

November 12, 2017 By Lisa Mullen Leave a Comment

Control your devices so they don’t control you!

How to Be the Master of Your Device

**Links in this post may be affiliate links. This means that if you click that link and purchase the product, I may receive a small compensation. I am, however, committed to honestly assessing the products mentioned. Please read my disclosure policy for more details. **

I think most of us would agree that overusing technology is bad for our personal – and interpersonal – health. It affects our relationships, our moods, and our productivity. It can even lead us away from God. 

But many of us may not realize how far we have actually slid down that slippery slope. And we may not know how to change it once we have. 

Enter Cool, Calm, and Connected by Arlene Pellicane. This is a phenomenal book to help you restore technology to its proper place and make sure it stays there. And it’s a book that I can confidently say about 99.99% of us in today’s digital world need to read. 

Highlights

The book is broken down into 5 habits that are simple to implement but result in a transformed relationship with technology. 

Those 5 habits are:

H – Hold Down the Off Button

Moderate your screen time and be purposeful about having regular times in the day without your phone or other devices. Spend time in God’s Word, with family or friends, or doing something that will fill you up. You don’t need to check Facebook first thing in the morning or last thing at night, and you don’t need to keep up-to-date every hour. Don’t use your phone as a “digital pacifier.” 

A – Always Put People First

People are more important than whatever is on your screen. Make it a habit to pivot away from your computer or device and look at people as they approach you or talk to you. When you are with people, be with them. “When you arrive home, don’t plug into screens, plug into people.” 

B – Brush Daily: Live With a Clean Conscience

Every night, ask yourself, “Do I have a clean conscience before God? Have I done or posted anything online today that was evil, unkind, or wasteful?” 

I – I Will Go Online With Purpose

Instead of mindlessly scrolling through Facebook or other social media, whenever you pick up your phone or turn on your computer ask yourself, “What am I here to do?” Resist the urge to multitask, and instead approach your task with focus and purpose. 

Here’s a good use of technology – Read eBooks (like this one!) using the FREE Kindle Reading App

T – Take a Hike

Be intentional about spending time outside each day. Schedule time to be away from your phone and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation. It’s important for your body, mind, and spirit. Make sure to teach your children to do the same.

How It Affected Me

This book was powerful. It showed me areas that I need to work on and convicted me in others that I didn’t realize I had a problem. It was highly-informative and even quite fascinating at times. But the best thing was that it didn’t leave me feeling ashamed or guilty, but rather empowered and motivated to change. 

I was so affected by it, that I immediately wanted to change some of my deeply ingrained habits. After I finished reading and had had some time to reflect, I came up with a list of 6 rules that I decided to set over my screen time. 

They are as follows:

6 Rules for My Screen Time

  1. I will not check Facebook or IG or emails first thing in the morning or last thing before bed. 
  2. I will put my phone away during meal times and play times with my kids and husband. 
  3. I will have two set times for Facebook/IG scrolling with a limit of 15 minutes each. All other time on social media will be with a specific work or blog-related purpose. 
  4. I will only check my notifications during designated “breaks” that I will set for myself during the day. 
  5. I will go outside at least 15 minutes every day. (I know, that’s not much, but we’re heading into winter, and I hate winter.) 
  6. I will practice “the pivot,” lowering my device and turning to face whoever is speaking to me. 

There are quite a few changes I could make after reading this book, but trying to change too much too soon leads to overwhelm and discouragement. So I’m sticking with these six goals for now. If you would like to make the same changes in your life, feel free to leave a note in the comments below. I would love to hear that other people are joining me in this quest to lead a healthier technological lifestyle. 

This book is not very long at all – it’s only 134 pages (plus discussion questions), and the book itself is not that big. But every sentence on every page is powerful and purposeful, leaping off the page like an arrow straight into your heart. There is no fluff here! So it won’t take you long to read it, and it’s well worth the time you will spend. 

I would really encourage you to get your hands on this book, whether that’s borrowing from the library, borrowing from a friend, or buying a copy of your own. Just get a hold of it and let it work its magic in your heart. 

Get Cool, Calm, and Connected now!

Favorite Quotes

“Try not to focus on the negative habit you’re trying to shake. Instead, focus on the positive habit you’re trying to embrace.”

“Think what would happen in your marriage if you reached out to touch your spouse as many times as you reached out to touch your phone.”

“Is what we post from the privacy of our computers good enough to proclaim in public?”

“Try not to go online just to know more. Set out to go online to grow more.”

“Today’s nonstop multitasking actually wastes more time than it saves.”

“The enemy of your soul would love to keep you chasing notifications, posting comments, and using the bulk of your free time for entertainment.” 

“Don’t approach your device casually or you will casually check it All. The. Time.” 

How to Be the Master of Your Device

You Might Also Enjoy:

  • Winning the Battle With the “Mean Girl” in the Mirror
  • How I Was Forever Cured of Financial Discontent
  • Real Moms…Real Jesus: A Real Mom’s Review
  • The SuperMom Myth: Conquering the Dirty Villains of Motherhood

Get more of The Merry Momma delivered to your inbox! Sign up for exclusive content, updates, and helpful resources!

Plus receive access to my FREE Resources for Moms page!




(Visited 219 times, 1 visits today)

Filed Under: Family, General Joy, Motherhood Tagged With: Book Review, Positive Habits, Screen Time, Technology

Share your thoughts! Cancel reply

Follow The Merry Momma

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
FREE email series - 5 Days to a More Joyful YOU!

Have you been feeling run down, worn out, or frustrated by motherhood? Restore the joy to your mothering with this FREE 5-day email series!

25 Family Favorite Dinners | Quick & Easy Dinners

About Me


Hi, I’m Lisa! I am first and foremost a child of God, and secondly a wife and mother of two precious little misters and one sweet little missy.

I'm here to encourage, inspire, and offer practical help for moms to empower them be the joyful, peaceful, and intentional mom they want to be!

Become the Master of Your Meals!

Become the Master of Your Meals with The Every Mom's Meal Solution Handbook

Facebook

Want to Be a More Joyful Mom?

Get the body you want after baby with MUTU System

Popular Posts

  • How to Get Grease Stains Out of Clothes How to Get Grease Stains Out of Clothes That Have Been Dried
  • How to Easily Remove Dried Sticker Residue From Clothes | The Merry Momma How to Remove Sticker Residue From Clothes {in 30 Seconds Or Less!}
  • The Best Bibs for Heavy Droolers The Best Bibs for Heavy Droolers
  • My Second Baby | The Merry Momma 7 Things I Wish I Had Known Before My Second Baby
  • Mommy and Me Activities 30 “Mommy & Me” Activities to Do With Your Kids

Shop The Merry Momma!

The Merry Momma Manual print version
The Merry Momma Manual – Print
$9.99

BUY ON AMAZON

Picture of The Merry Momma Manual Ebook
The Merry Momma Manual {Ebook}
$10.00

Add to cart

Glitter & Dirt T-Shirt
$18.99

BUY ON AMAZON

Meal Solution Handbook paperback
The Every Mom’s Meal Solution Handbook – Print
$9.99

BUY ON AMAZON

The Every Mom's Meal Solution Handbook
The Every Mom’s Meal Solution Handbook
$10.00

Add to cart

I Love Coffee mug
I Love Coffee, I Love Tea Mug
$14.99

Buy Now

Work In Progress – Youth
$16.99

Buy Now

Love the Ones You're With
Love the Ones You’re With: 30-Day Joyful Motherhood Challenge {Print}
$9.99

Buy Now

Strength & Joy Shirts
$18.99

Buy now

Ebook version
Love the Ones You’re With: A 30-Day Joyful Motherhood Challenge {Ebook}
$7.00

Add to cart

(Note: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.)

Copyright © 2023 · The Tiffany Theme by Blogelina · Built on the Genesis Framework

Copyright © 2023 · The Tiffany On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in