Turning Off Alerts: Establishing Structure and Balance on Our Terms

By: Maryam Nayeb Yazdi

I’ve disabled my text message alerts, and I haven’t looked back. While there’s potential for emergencies or urgent messages, I still don’t feel compelled to turn them back on. Here’s why.

In daily life, assessing capabilities in the present moment is crucial. Decisions can be made without emotional attachments like guilt or shame, in a practical manner. Practicality involves evaluating realistic actions for in case of emergencies, such as determining whether it’s life-or-death if a message isn’t checked immediately. If not, notifications can be disabled, and a regular check-in routine can be established at one’s convenience. This personal schedule creates structure in life, one action at a time.

Checking notifications is undoubtedly important, especially in time-sensitive situations. Having worked on human rights campaigns for political prisoners, I understand that alerts can be vital. Communication is essential, particularly when living with others or when every second counts. However, turning off alerts can foster non-reactive behavior.

Most day-to-day interactions, barring emergencies, don’t necessitate constant alertness. We can afford to turn off notifications and check them periodically throughout the day, connecting and…