I sighed as my Apple watch vibrated, alerting me to a string of texts I hadn’t yet paid attention to. I was working and needed to finalize something rather quickly, but I was distracted because there were several PTO text messages I also needed to address. Later that evening, I was making a new recipe for dinner. I was trying to pay attention to the quantities of seasonings {no one wants too much coriander in their dinner} and wouldn’t you know it… I kept getting distracted by work emails on my watch. “This dang watch!” I yelled. That was the moment I knew my Apple watch and I needed some space.
Created for Efficiency
Being connected is a good thing. Information is a good thing. Knowing your heart rate is a good thing. Checking the weather, getting news updates, and making sure you have moved enough are all good things. And it is amazing you can do all of this with a watch. When I received my Apple watch as a gift years ago, I never dreamed there would be a day I would take it off, and I didn’t for almost five years.
It was the first thing I reached for when I woke up. Heaven forbid the 24 steps from my bed to the bathroom not be counted toward my overall step goal. I lived for the moment when my watch congratulated me on closing all three movement rings {exercise minutes, standing goal, active calorie goal} each day. On the days I didn’t close all three rings I felt a little bit like a failure, and promised myself I would do better tomorrow. When the very rare occasion would pop up and I had to dress formally, I would strap on my gross silicon watch band and head out while my “nice” watches sat in my jewelry box. I was Apple’s dream customer.
My Apple Watch Not Serving Me Well Anymore
But now? Now I feel like my watch is nagging me. I find the reminders frustrating instead of helpful. When I want to focus on a particular project, I can’t as my wrist is constantly buzzing. When I’m spending time with a friend I truly enjoy I keep looking at my watch giving the impression I have somewhere better to be. In short, my Apple watch isn’t serving me well anymore.
I decided a Saturday would be the first day I didn’t wear my Apple watch. I put on another watch {that was completely dead and needed a new battery} and headed out for the day. I learned a few things. One, I did not die not knowing how many steps I walked that day. I walked a lot as I ran errands and had exercised that morning so I knew I had been active. Secondly, if I’m not going to wear my watch I am going to have to turn my phone’s sound on. I missed several key texts from my husband because I wasn’t getting buzzed on my wrist, but also didn’t hear a text ding. Oops! Lastly, I didn’t miss it as much as I thought I would.
A New Plan
I still plan to wear my Apple watch, but have decided I won’t on the weekends which is when I spend most of the day with my children and am more likely to socialize with friends. And if I’m headed to a restaurant that doesn’t have a kids menu I’ll swap it out for a watch that looks like I haven’t sweated in it for five years straight.
And yes, I know that I could turn off certain notifications, but the issue is bigger than just setting boundaries with my watch which, by they way, feels ridiculous typing. The issue is that a thing that was created to bring efficiency to my life now causes disruption and it’s ok to set it aside. For me, this time it was a watch. For you maybe it is a phone, or social media, or even a friend. But evaluating what is or isn’t bringing us peace and then setting necessary boundaries is essential to motherhood and our peace.
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