Sensory Overload?

Do you ever feel like you are getting overwhelmed with technology?

Today for example, I am sitting at work, busy as helll, and my IM is going off like mad, (some work related, some not) my text messages are going off one after the other non stop, the desk phone is ringing, emails are flying in, my cell is flashing with Facebook notifications, I was ready to just run screaming from the building!


Normally I am pretty good at juggling all this stuff, but lately it's just getting to be too much.

I feel like with smart phones, ipads, laptops IM's, texts, FB, etc- it's like 400 ways for people to come at you all at once, kwim?

Do you ever just feel the need to disconnect for a while?
As great as technology is, sometimes I wonder if it makes our lives harder or easier.
I know for sure, it definitely makes it more stressful!!

Message edited 6/21/2012 5:01:53 PM.

Sensory Overload?

There are days I take myself off the grid totally. No laptop, no smartphone, no nothing.

If I dont do it every once in a while, I go crazy.

Re: Sensory Overload?

Yes, I often feel like this. Same as you described, phones ablaze, FB, texts, work emails, its friggen overwhelming. I was w/o my iphone recently for a few days, and it was heaven. I loved being unreachable.

Re: Sensory Overload?

Been there.

To minimize your stress at your busy day at work, I'd:

-block friends from my IMs and only have those who work with me reach me

-Not have my Facebook open

-No LIF open on my Internet explorer tab

-Set text alerts to a different sound for those who REALLY need to contact you (DH, kids)


With technology as it is, we merge it a lot with our workplace......which is not good (professionally) and also brings outside stress into the office, which is often uneeded.

Inevitably, work suffers for most people who can't shut off the outside world while at the office.

Work comes first, play time after or on breaks. That is what I have learned.

Message edited 6/21/2012 6:14:47 PM.

Re: Sensory Overload?

YES!! I recently took 3 of my email accts off my bb. no Facebook, put all spam emails, sale ads, etc to another email address i do not have linked to my bb. i also purposely let my bb, my work phone, die on fridays and recharge it on sunday nights, it was getting to be too much!

Re: Sensory Overload?

No one can IM us at work unless they work with us.

I turn my phone down to vibrate only and get angry if someone calls just because (pet peeve, i work to make money not chit chat with buddies)

FB is actually through my office phone but I don't look at it until lunch.

Friends know better than to use my office phone or email for mindless chatter. I don't get paid to talk to or communicate with my friends.

I currently have 278 unread emails in my inbox. I have enough to do

Work is work.
Home is home

I don't do text msging at all. Nothing you need to say to me can't wait for me to email or call you. No need for texts. I do get text from vendors for work. Ironic but its how they do business. I highly disagree.

I never let technology use me. I use tech. We allow ourselves to be accessible or not. I choose not to.