Blame the Romans — specifically Christian Emperor Constantine (321 common era) — for enshrining in civil law the concept of Sunday as a day of rest.
Many faith traditions do this though not all have a weekly practice.
I decided to take a day off from all of my computer devices, a day of no-laptop, no-iphone, no-ipad, and Sunday seemed like a good time to try it. I learned from this that I have trained my brain to use these devices as a kind of adult pacifier, going to them while waiting and then lingering when there’s no need to. Yesterday I lost track but estimate that six or seven times each hour (each hour!) I thought of reasons to grab one of my devices, to text someone, to look up “interesting” information, to send an email, to check my email, to occupy myself while waiting for the gas tank to be filled, etc.
Mostly, I resisted. There were at least two things I asked my spouse to do for me: email a family member about an upcoming scheduled event and sign me up for a YMCA class that can only be signed up for online. I used my phone twice, once to call my mom and once to answer a text.
Otherwise I stayed away from the Internet and its fascinating yet ensnaring rabbit holes. I existed in the real world.
Among the things I got done yesterday: finished embroidering the dog rose (Trish Burr design), pictured above. I also took the time to block it, a finishing technique I often procrastinate.
I organized a jumbled mess of dozens of recipes printed from online sources. I came up with a dinner plan for the week. Overall, some useful things got accomplished and I realized how I get sucked into hours of computer time by thinking that I’ll just jump on the Internet to “learn” one thing and then a couple of hours later, I’m still gawking mindlessly.
I think I’ll make a practice of this fine tradition, brought to us by the world’s spiritual systems.
Meanwhile, if you need a rabbit hole (it is Monday, after all), check out this explainer on the names of the week.
Susan Palmer's Exquisite Now 