I wrote this post several years ago and felt it fitting and somewhat applicable to our current world order. While I’m not suggesting that practicing “safe in place” and “physical distancing” is the same as a tropical island vacation, I am suggesting that our current situation is offering opportunity to practice some of these same principles: Putting down the phone, turning off the computer, unplugging and starting a social media detox.
In our need to find ways to connect from a distance, many will err on the opposite side of the spectrum through over-indulging in screen time and not officially disconnecting from work at a reasonable time in the evening. Others will sit in isolation, frustrated by the lack of engagement and neglect to fully engage with the family members available to them in another room of the house.
Regardless of the situation, there is value to unplugging and social media detoxing. I hope you agree.
RELATED POST: START YOUR YEAR WITH A SOCIAL MEDIA DETOX
THE LESSON OF UNPLUGGING
I recently returned from my first real vacation in five years. And what I mean by real is that it wasn’t a “staycation” peppered with home improvement projects and trying to keep our teenager from getting too bored. And it wasn’t work related where we just added on a few days to make it feel like a vacation. This was a real vacation to a tropical location for an entire week. It was long over-due and well-deserved by each family member.
Before we left, all three of us took an oath to really make this count. We were going to do everything in our power to be as present as possible. To really appreciate and enjoy the opportunity presented to us through this break from reality. So, with a lot of discussion, hesitation, and a bit of anxiety, we agreed to not only social media detoxing, but 100% unplugging for this trip. No phones, no computers for the entire week.
The first 48 hours were a little challenging. I was a little anxious about not being available should someone need something. My husband felt like he had forgotten something (which he had because he was actually brave enough to leave his phone and computer at home). And our daughter had to learn to walk with her head and eyes up instead of staring down at her phone. We were a little off balance for a while.
But then we started to get the hang of it.
BENEFITS FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY
While you may want to start with just a social media detox, our family found that completely unplugging was incredibly beneficial!
We read – a lot! We engaged in lively conversation. Not just among ourselves, but (gasp) with other people around us. We met Billy from Hilton Head and a really fun group from Virginia Beach. We met a young couple from Charlotte and an older couple from Delaware. We met Archie from Australia and a lovely family from London.
We did yoga – and didn’t feel guilty about it. I almost took a nap one afternoon – and didn’t feel guilty about it!
I started to be more aware of my surroundings. I could hear waves crash, I could hear birds sing, I heard the highest-pitched grasshoppers I’ve ever heard before. I felt sun on my face and could taste the salt air. By unplugging I gained more awareness. With more awareness came appreciation. And with more appreciation came less stress and guilt over not being accessible to anyone but my husband and daughter.
As the week came to a close, the typical grieving began. But then it stopped. I was sad to get back to reality, but I honestly felt refreshed and grateful and appreciative and happy. While I was sad it was over, it did not feel like the time flew by like it normally does. I fully enjoyed every minute of our time away and feel we reaped full benefits because of our intention to be present throughout.
THE UNPLUGGING CHALLENGE
So, what did I learn from unplugging?
I learned that quiet can be glorious. I learned that I can be okay with myself by myself. I learned that my family has a lot of conversation material. I learned that I can kick my daughter’s butt at ping pong and my husband can kick my butt at pool. I received a deeper appreciation of just how wonderful of a life and family I truly have. And I learned that unplugging is one of the best ways to recharge.
I learned that the social media detox – not being engaged with it every day – was an added benefit of unplugging all together!
I challenge you to find time to cut out the noise. Whether you have a vacation coming up or just a few days at home. Make the intention to unplug so that you can recharge. The benefits are endless.
Share what you found from your unplugging/ social media detox!
Warmly,
Stacy
RELATED: SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME ON SOCIAL MEDIA? DO THIS INSTEAD.
STACY OLDFIELD
After nearly 25 years in Corporate America, Stacy launched Minerva Management Partners as a way to combine those years of business experience with her life coaching certification and love for coaching women. Minerva Management Partners is a business coaching practice designed to support women entrepreneurs committed to launching and growing their business. Also, as a Results Coach with Robbins Research International, Stacy helps business women to focus their ideas and efforts and holds them accountable for achieving their goals. Whether it’s helping women discover creative solutions to their business challenges, coaching them to be clear and decisive, or helping them see and take action on new opportunities, Stacy guides them to achieve the business and career results they are seeking. Stacy is also the creator of the Minerva 3-Day Networking Challenge and the Network Like a Boss Lady On-Demand training program. Stacy has been invited to speak to many audiences within South Carolina including the Center for Women, Women Entrepreneurs of Charleston, the Women of the Workforce program of the Naval Information Warfare Center (SPAWAR), Charleston Women in Business, Association of Fundraising Professionals, SCANPO, graduate classes at both The Citadel and the College of Charleston (CofC), and Leadership CofC. She currently serves as a mentor through the Women of Excellence Program at Xavier University and previously served on the Board of Directors for the Beautiful Gate Center and on the advisory board of the SC Women’s Business Center.
