I am back! Even though the blog was still running, I have had a nearly 4 week break away from the computer. My kids had 3 weeks of school holidays and I always like to take time off with them to spend together and relax. I worked really hard leading up to the break to make sure I had the blog still running during my time away. I had my lovely friend Cathy keeping an eye on all my social media, which I am so very grateful for as this is the first time since starting the blog in August 2010 that I have had a true break like this (it’s hard being one person running your own business sometimes). So I took the opportunity to have a complete digital detox. Well, I didn’t really have a complete one, but I’d say I was 95% successful.
Digital detox refers to a period of time during which a person refrains from using electronic connecting devices such as smartphones and computers. It is regarded as an opportunity to reduce stress or focus on social interaction in the physical world – Wikipedia
image via runnerkimhall
Initially, I didn’t take a digital break because I felt like I needed it, I did it more to connect with what is happening in my home, my family, general life, rather than having my eyes on my phone they were up looking at my kids, listening completely to the conversations. However, once I started my detox I realised how much I used to reach for my phone and after all I really did need the detox to wean myself away from this habit.
After a few days I didn’t feel the need to check in on facebook, write status updates or read what everybody was up to. Instead of opening facebook as soon as I wake, I got out of bed and watched The Today Show (I love Karl Stephanovic, he is just hilarious) to learn about the latest news and what’s happening in the world. Met up physically with friends and had dinner and more coffee dates with family, rather than reading how they are going on facebook it was really nice to sit opposite a table to them and chat endlessly.
Notice I said digital detox, not electronic or technology, as I do like to sit and watch TV, my digital detox involved:
- no computers
- no emails
- no instagram
- no facebook
- no pinterest
- no taking photos of work stuff on my phone (ie food I cooked or something I organised), I did take lots of photos of the kids though
My time off was refreshing, I got many items ticked off my to-do list and I would really love to have more digital detox moments, I plan on making changes. If you’re brave, try to have a no digital free weekend or day every week.
Would you be interested in a Digital Detox Challenge?
Each day for a week I’ll give you a tip on how to stop depending so much on social media?
If there is enough interest I’ll put it together, free for you to follow along!
PS. My friend Cathy has just started a facebook page Doing It for Me, please stop by her page say hello and follow along in her adventures. Earlier this year she started a 101 Things in 1001 Days list, the facebook page will allow her to
- Share her goals and achievements
- Helps her to stay committed
- Motivate others to join her journey, say to ourselves…. I’m Doing It For ME!
You can follow Cathy on Instagram too, her username is @doingitforme_insta
24 comments
Hi Cat! Welcome back. I would love to hear your tips for a digital detox. I feel like I could benefit from one too.
I should do the challenge, even for me to look back on the tips when I find myself getting back into picking up the phone ooh too often 🙂
Hi Kat, this sounds awesome! I work from home 4 days a week and pick up my phone every minute a have spare for boredom more than anything. It is a habit I would love to ease. Would love to see you do this if enough interest. I am sure everyone would benefit xx
Especially when your home alone it can be a great way to know what’s happening outside your quiet bubble, but a huge time waster!!
Yes please. I’m not on F. That much but I’m on a health journey and the constant emails are stressing me out. I also have quite a few FB groups. Detox please. Welcome back Kat. I’d also love to know how to permanently unsubscribe from some emails (not your of course! ?) as I unsubscribe and then a few weeks later they are back. Has happened with Bonds, An electrical warehouse I bought a product from and an American site that I don’t even know how they got my email. I reported that one as spam 3 times but they still come through. Microsft updated my computer settings and I can’t work it out and even ITunes has changed how to upgrade phone. It’s quite stressful as I’m get really annoyed when a simple task becomes a nightmare and I’m not that computer savvy. Thanks Kat. Hope you can help this stressed out by technology Mum ???xxx
I’ve found that recently Sally with a few newsletters I unsubscribed to I am still receiving their newsletters. It should be a feature with the newsletter platform the brand is using that it automatically unsubscribes you from the list. I’ll look into it more and see what I can find.
Great effort Kat! Of course to my husband I will strongly deny that I couldn’t successflly complete a digital detox if I wanted to 😉 but the reality is I would struggle!
It has become such a habit… my worst offence is the endless scrolling of facebook and instagram – I wonder what I used to do in television ad breaks beofre social media was the norm?! I guess it beats boredom snacking but I’d love some help to lessen the habit and appreciate the non-digital things more 🙂
LOL, that’s why I love netflix and Telstra TV no ad breaks!
Hi Kat.
Sign me up for the digital detox, only I wonder if checking my phone every day for the week kind of defeats the purpose of detoxing.
Cheers, Steph
I agree Stephanie it did cross my mind, and also that I rely on social media for all my readers to view my new content on the blog. But it’s more about relying on it to pass the time, there are other things that can be done so I’ll share tips on how to beat the habit 😉
Sign me up for the digital detox, I would LOVE to do this because I now how much time I waste looking at my phone!!!
It really does swallow up time so easily!
I need help!! I’m always on my phone or Facebook!
Sign me up for the challenge. I had it under control for a bit but now I’m back to having my phone glued to my hand.
I was the same was very rare to see me without my phone in my hand. I get facebook and Instagram notifications all day long, but there are moments you just need to put it down!!
Yes please I tried to do it a while ago I asked a friend to make a password for FB and log me in and out at school drop off and pick up this way while the kids were home I didn’t have access to FB it was amazing I am def up for the challenge !!!!!
I love that idea Erin, that is a really restrictive way of doing it. I have a friend that has deleted it off her phone completely.
Yes I’ll definitely be keen to sign up for a challenge!
wonderful!!
I’m up for the challenge! I spend all day working with computers, internet, my phone and when I get home I find myself checking my phone and email every 5 seconds… I should use that time to be with my daughter, but I’m always worried that I might miss some important call or message. My phone has a “do not disturb” system, it doesn’t ring from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. Still, I’m always checking it… I really REALLY need a detox, so count me in! 🙂
Great post Kat and a timely reminder that we all spend to much time with our digital devices. Running your own business, no matter what it is or how big or small it is, is hard work. I have started trying not to do any work on a Sunday. Last week I didn’t even turn my laptop on and I was ready for the start of the school term as I wasn’t running off to check facebook or emails all day!
I would love to sign up for the challenge 🙂
?I would be keen too?
Hi. I would be interested in the challenge please. Being home mostof the day i use the internet etc oit of boredom and habit. If its suitable i would also get my 2 sons to try it.
Thank you.