By Shandon Fowler of Red Balloon Tech SupportDuring the Pandemic, when we all spent way too much time staring at our stuff, a chipper Japanese woman named Marie Kondo came through our TVs to tell us how to organize our lives by asking one question of every item in our closet: Does it spark joy?Thankfully, I havent talked to my laundry in years.But Maries advice is still close at hand when I help seniors with their very un-joy-sparking smart tech devices, which seem increasingly complicated, frustrating, and even scary.ButSmart tech can also make our erstwhile golden years more connected, entertaining, and yes, joyful.You just need to take it slowly, find patient and knowledgeable family and friends to help, and start with whats natural.
Here are three paths that may help you find what that means for you.Add Visuals to Your VerbalsSome lovely afternoon, rather than simply calling a loved one like youve done for decades, make it a video call (FaceTime on iPhone, Meet or WhatsApp on Android) instead and watch their face light up when yours appears.Dont worry if you dont look perfect; nobody ever does and everyone is still happy to see you! If youre more of a text-messager, add an emoji or two to your messages.Just look for the smiley face underneath your phones keyboard and itll reveal bite-sized visuals for any emotion or feeling you could possibly want to share.Lose Yourself in a HobbyIts astonishing what we have at our fingertips to help spark our joy.
Love bird watching? Download the Merlin app (get a friend/family member to help if you need it), which can identify any bird just from a photo or birdsong.Speaking of which, virtually any song from any musical era is available for free (with ads) from Spotify, Pandora, and other apps.If moving pictures are more your thing, YouTube has countless hours of video tutorials on any topic imaginable, whether youre a history buff, knitting buff, or any other kind of buff!Un-retire Old Habits and ActivitiesMany things you used to have to go out for can now come to you with the literal push of a few buttons.
Borrow best-sellers or classic movies from your local library with apps like Libby (e-books) or Kanopy (movies).Shop for groceries and have them delivered to your doorstep (Instacart).Play bridge or mahjong or word games with friends across town or across the country.
Its easier than ever to keep doing your favorite things in the comfort of your favorite pajamas.And, hey, if youve gotten this far and still dont feel FOMO, the fear of missing out, by not using a smartphone, then no amount of convincing by well-meaning friends and family will change your mind.Keep on using your tried-and-true devices (or no devices at all) to keep your life simplified and youll experience something else entirely: JOMO.Its the joy of missing out, and it will make Marie Kondo just as proud of you.Shandon Fowler owns Red Balloon Tech Support, a senior tech concierge that serves Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester, Colleton and Beaufort counties.
You can contact him at [email protected].
Disclaimer: This story is auto-aggregated by a computer program and has not been created or edited by Senior Savings Deals.
Publisher: Life Plan Community ( Read More )
Publisher: Life Plan Community ( Read More )
