(The Heavens, North Island NZ)

As some of you may knz_airport.jpgnow, I have been traveling throughout the North Island in New Zealand with my partner in all things, Jesse Thomas. This has provided me with some much needed rest and perspective. One of the biggest take-aways from this time off has been: I need to spend more time focusing on these three things (1) family, (2) health and (3) intellectual cultivation. That is not to say that I am not currently focused on these things, but rather, the amount of time it takes to maintain everything online and with my many jobs and professional commitments, these three things don’t get my best energy.

I have read about this elsewhere in the blogosphere and the Twitterverse: folks just getting burnt out on the ‘net. Similarly, working a full time job as well as contributing to a startup (JESS3) is also a challenge on all fronts. And for all the things that I love about what a fast connection, entrepreneurism and social platforms afford me, my friends, my clients and others… It’s time to get back to the basics, which will include a lot less ‘net and new media related activities. Wait, wait… I am not leaving for good or anything.

In fact, let me be a little more clear: I am not pulling my endorsement of the importance of things like Twitter and blogging and Wikipedia — far from it. I am also not backing down from being entrepreneurial in all things I do… if anything, I have only just begun. Rather, I am just working to put it back into a larger context of my life/health, the lives of the people that matter to me (many of whom aren’t mass consumers of the Internet’s many gems) and the larger issues facing our world.

And the ‘net, while an easy scapegoat, is not really the full-picture-problem. Rather, it is just an enabler of my love of learning about new (and old) things, helping people, connecting people, looking at shiny things, laughing out loud, participating in the system of innovation that our country fosters… the list goes on. But when I am on it all day and all night, checking phones and blackberries for alerts, not being present with people because of all the white noise and screens floating around… I have to say: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

Breathe in, breathe out. Look up and around, there is more than this monitor.

(Water Flows to the Pacific, NZ)
Anyone else ever feel this way? I would say: “let’s start a group about it,” but I am more inclined to spend more time working these things through offline. Through movement. Walking, jogging, stretching. Thinking, reading hard copies of things. Even gazing down at my own shadow for contemplative reflecting.

(Tall Boots, NZ)

Do stay in touch. Let me know how your strive for balance works — or doesn’t. As a society, I believe we have all just begun to understand the power — and the dangers — of the online world. Nothing new or profound. Just truly felt to the core of my being as of late.