These days, my laptop seems to have more and more charging issues. Like most people, I use this machine to write my blog posts.
Although the me from the past would have wanted a new charger as soon as possible, the current me sees almost everything as a sign ( from the universe ). Besides, I already bought a new charger, two years ago, about a month after buying this laptop. Back then, I broke the charger by tripping over the cable ( when my laptop was plugged in ) while vacuum cleaning.
Probably a year later, my laptop started having charging issues. These days, it seems more extreme than ever. No matter what wall socket or extension cord plug I use, it often just refuses to start charging. Or just charges for a minute and then stops doing so. Kind of like a wild horse, with a will of its one, but then without the horse power. Or with a different kind of horse power, just no charging power.
Back to the me from the now
What is this machine trying to tell me?
Should I perhaps spend less time in front of screens?
Possibly.
I don't disagree with that.
In fact, I have been thinking those kind of thoughts for quite a while.
I still have a smartphone, TV and a beamer ( no screen for that, it projects on my living room wall ).
Or, is my laptop perhaps telling me to focus more?
To take care of my tasks, while using it, without doing all kind of other things ( random or often repetitive web searching with no clear goal, kind of like getting lost in thoughts ).
Is it telling me to get to the point quicker ( using less words )? I don't think that's gonna work. That's just not me. It wouldn't feel right.
I forgot to mention that besides my machine hardly wanting to charge, if it charges at all, it only does so when switched off. In other words, it's never charging when I use it. It's not charging now. 66% battery left.
Okay... Let's be honest, is it really trying to tell me something?
Does it matter? I know - deep inside - that it's right. I have been spending too much time in front of its screen over the last two years. Like us human beings - and all creatures alive - it needs some rest, every now and then. It's not a 24/7 industry machine. It can be, if I want to send it to its grave in a year or two.
Apparently, these days, just being switched off in the night and some hours during the day, isn't enough. It wants to rest even more.
And, as it's hinting at:
Nature is calling!
Jim Carrey in Ace Ventura - Source
My film brain made a lightning quick link to Ace Ventura - When Nature Calls. I used to really enjoy these early Jim Carrey flicks, as a teen ( Dumb and Dumber, The Mask and the two Ace Ventura films ).
Nature is calling means that it's Summer here, that I should spend more time outdoor. Also, that it's just not natural to spend most of your 'awake' time in an online reality. In fact, that's the opposite of being awake, if you think of it.
The real screen is out there, free to watch, no energy / batteries needed for it. In fact, it re-energizes you as soon as you spend time just looking at it, letting it in.
I think I'm gonna spend some time sitting on my balcony, watching the birds and butterflies, staring at the hills and small mountains in the distances. I'm gonna take in the different colors and especially the green, that is slowly returning after the fires from 2017. I might also go on a hike, later today.
57% battery left...
Time to start staring at the real world again!
How much time do you spend in front of your screen(s)? How do you feel about it? Are you considering to make some changes ( in your schedule ) to free up more off screen time?
P.S. All of the above also makes it a little harder for me to comment on other people's posts. It doesn't mean I like you less ;>) I don't use my phone for commenting or upvoting. I don't want it to become my backup laptop. That would just mean more hours spent staring at an even smaller screen.