This Valentine’s Day, Tame Your Tech Habits to Show the Love
Do your tech habits impact your romantic relationship?
Amid growing debates about the impact of smartphones and social media on romantic relationships, a Pew Research Center survey found that many Americans encounter tech-related struggles with their significant others. Surprised? I didn’t think so.
The findings show about half of Americans in romantic relationships say they deal with their partner being distracted by their phone
For instance, among partnered adults in the U.S. — that is, those who are married, cohabiting or in a committed relationship, roughly half (51%) say their partner is often or sometimes distracted by their cellphone while they are trying to have a conversation with them, and four-in-ten say they are at least sometimes bothered by the amount of time their partner spends on their mobile device.
The Big Tech platforms that dominate our lives — Zoom Amazon, Instagram — promise convenience, comfort and control. But relationships — our greatest source of joy — aren’t easy, they’re effortful. As we approach Valentine’s Day, here are some creative ways you can shift your tech habits to show the love.
Here are some creative ways to tame your tech to show the love:
Drop your phone at the door (have an actual charging “home” for your phone and park it there instead of carrying it all over the house.) Changing your environment is the easiest way to change a habit. No phones in sight make it easier to focus on what matters — each other.
Prioritize your loved one by placing a standing date in your shared digital calendar. Take turns planning each week to add an element of surprise.
Use conversation starters to spark new discoveries.
Plan an unplugged adventure. Get creative! Explore a new part of your city. Roam the woods. Short on ideas? Try The Adventure Challenge book.
Begin and end your day tech-free to make space for spontaneous physical intimacy.
Learn something new together. Cook something out of the ordinary or take a (virtual or in-person) cocktail-making class. Toronto’s Famous Last Words Bar hosts private lessons.
Spend one day a week offline — together.
Did any of these ideas spark joy in your love life? Share your experience in the comments. What worked? What didn’t? What would you try again?
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This post originally appeared on my dedicated Medium blog.
