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Making the Most of the Holidays: Balancing Relationships and Technology for Meaningful Connection

Conversations over a Cuppa by Luke 'Cookie' Cook

The holiday’s are a time of joy and celebration, a time to be with family and loved ones. However, in today's world, technology has become a major part of our lives, impacting our relationships with those closest to us. As someone who values deep connections and meaningful conversations, I have often felt the impact of technology on my own relationships. In this article, I want to share my thoughts on the impact of relationships and technology during the holiday's and offer some suggestions for how we can make the most of our time with loved ones.

The Impact of Relationships and Technology

Technology has revolutionised the way we communicate with one another, making it easier than ever to stay connected with people no matter where they are in the world. However, while technology has certainly made communication more convenient, it has also had negative effects on our ability to connect with one another on a deeper level.

For example, social media has become a major source of connection for many people, but it can also be a source of loneliness and depression. Scrolling through endless feeds of perfect lives and curated images can leave us feeling disconnected and isolated, even if we have hundreds of followers or friends. Moreover, with the rise of remote work, technology has also blurred the lines between our work and personal lives, making it harder to disconnect and focus on our relationships.


Things We Should Do Around the Holiday Period

  1. Put away your devices.
    One of the simplest things we can do to strengthen our relationships during the holiday's is to put away our devices. While it can be tempting to check our phones or laptops for work emails or social media updates, we should prioritise spending time with loved ones instead. Whether it's playing board games or going for a walk outside, there's nothing more important than being present and engaged with the people we care about.

  2. Have meaningful conversations.
    When we do spend time with loved ones, we should make an effort to have meaningful conversations. It's easy to fall into the trap of small talk, but we should try to go deeper and really listen to one another. Instead of talking about the weather, we could ask about each other's hopes and dreams, fears and challenges, and really connect on a human level. This can be especially powerful during the holiday's, when emotions can run high and we may be more reflective than usual.

  3. Create new traditions.
    Creating new traditions can also help strengthen our relationships during the holiday's. Whether it's baking holiday treats together, going on a family hike, or watching a favorite movie, creating new traditions can help us connect with loved ones on a deeper level. Traditions can be comforting and grounding, reminding us of the things that matter most in life.

  4. Focus on quality over quantity.
    Finally, it's important to remember that the holiday's is not about the number of Easter Eggs we give or the amount of time we spend with loved ones. Instead, we should focus on the quality of the time we spend together. A few hours spent having a meaningful conversation or participating in a fun activity can be more valuable than a whole day spent together without any connection. It's not about how much time we have, but how we choose to spend it.

The holiday's can be a time of great joy and connection, but it can also be a time of loneliness and disconnection. By putting away our devices, having meaningful conversations, creating new traditions, and focusing on quality over quantity, we can strengthen our relationships and make the most of our time with loved ones. As someone who values deep connections and meaningful conversations, I know that these simple steps can make all the difference in the world. So these holidays, let's put down. 


Here are 3 conversation starters over a Cuppa this holiday period

  1. What are some ways that technology has changed the way we communicate with each other, both positively and negatively? Do you think technology has brought us closer together or made us more disconnected?

  2. How do you feel about putting away our devices during the holiday's to focus on spending time with loved ones? Do you think it's important to disconnect from technology, or do you feel like you need it to stay connected with others?

  3. Have you ever experienced loneliness or disconnection during the holiday's? If so, how did you deal with it? Do you have any suggestions for how we can create deeper connections with each other during this time of year?

Are you worried about tech addiction and its impact? We have a conversation coming soon with Dr Kristy Goodwin on Partner Portal IT Channel called ‘Dear Digital, we need to talk’.

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