By Shandon Fowler of Red Balloon Tech Support
During 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 haven’t talked to my laundry in years. But Marie’s 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.
But…
Smart 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 what’s natural. Here are three paths that may help you find what that means for you.
Add Visuals to Your Verbals
Some lovely afternoon, rather than simply calling a loved one like you’ve 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. Don’t worry if you don’t look perfect; nobody ever does and everyone is still happy to see you! If you’re more of a text-messager, add an “emoji” or two to your messages. Just look for the smiley face underneath your phone’s keyboard and it’ll reveal bite-sized visuals for any emotion or feeling you could possibly want to share.
Lose Yourself in a Hobby
It’s 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 you’re a history buff, knitting buff, or any other kind of buff!
Un-retire Old Habits and Activities
Many 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. It’s easier than ever to keep doing your favorite things in the comfort of your favorite pajamas.
And, hey, if you’ve gotten this far and still don’t 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 you’ll experience something else entirely: JOMO. It’s 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 Shandon@red-balloon.tech.
