National Day of Unplugging 2012: Join the Cause

Though some manage to undo, unwind, unplug and dial down for Shabbat, for others this is a big step. For the third year, the organization Reboot is reminding us all of the opportunity to enjoy a Shabbat without electronics during the National Day of Unplugging. This year, it happens this weekend, from sundown Friday, March 23 through Saturday, March 24.

Last year they released an app to help “unplug” smartphones. This year, they have teamed up with Causes.com and launched a “Cause” you can join, then share with friends on Facebook.

The National Day of Unplugging, rooted in the tradition of the Sabbath, is guided by Reboot’s Sabbath Manifesto, an ongoing project that encourages people to slow down their lives by embracing its 10 principles once a week:

1. Avoid Technology
2. Connect With Loved Ones
3. Nurture Your Health
4. Get Outside
5. Avoid Commerce
6. Light Candles
7. Drink Wine
8. Eat Bread
9. Find Silence
10. Give Back

In case that list isn’t enough of a start, you can sign up for the Undolist, an email that comes out weekly with a brief list of ideas of things to do/explore while you are unplugged.

on Friday afternoon you’ll receive the weekly UNDO list filled with ideas for conversation topics, readings, local outings and creative endeavors to ease the time away from technology and help make the day better.”

(That works unless you have your own personal “honey-do” list, in which case you are already booked with things to do while you are unplugged. Yes, you.)

To connect with National Day of Unplugging on Facebook, go here: http://www.facebook.com/SabbathManifesto

To learn more about the Sabbath Manifesto, the on-going unplugging project that was the genesis of the National Day of Unplugging, go here: http://www.NationalDayOfUnplugging.com

Will you unplug?