Soaking in a hot tub, reading three books, talking to my husband, watching shows with the girls, having decadent dinners with family, and just being.
I didn’t feel much if any anxiety while I was gone. I admit it did take a while to decompress, to finally put the phone away and stop logging on to “post a picture” for the world to see. But when I did, it was pure bliss.
So this afternoon I turned on my phone to call my mom. She’s coming to visit and I needed her to bring me some goodies from home. And that’s when it happened. I fell into the black-hole time sucking vortex that is known as Facebook.
As I scrolled through, I was mesmerized by all the posts. Reading the news about all the amazing writers I know going viral, seeing friends and their updates, and immediately I felt guilty.
I hadn’t written in a while, I needed to publish a blog post stat. I needed to post my holiday pictures. I needed to update FB, Twitter, and Instagram. And that’s when I realized 40 minutes had passed, I was anxious, and I was believing I needed to keep up with the Jones’, the Smiths, the Millers and the rest of the damn world.
During that time on Facebook, I was supposed to make our sick daughter lunch (yes one got sick on the trip – of course) and change the laundry. But instead of caring for my family, and calling my mom, I was sucked in again.
If I learned anything at all on this vacation it’s this: NONE OF US NEED OUR PHONES AND SOCIAL MEDIA AS MUCH AS WE THINK WE DO. We are not missing anything by not being online. The world didn’t explode, hardly anyone probably missed us, and we didn’t need to read every update of every person we know every hour of the day.
Before going on this trip our five-year-old asked me if I could leave my phone at home. Now I know why. Because without my phone I’m present, I’m happy, and I’m calm. With the phone, I’m stressed, anxious, distracted, connected, and always worrying about something that needs to be done.
Technology is a beautiful thing. It taught our Kindergartener cursive letter writing, it keeps us connected to people we’ve lost track of, and we always have a way to call for help in case of an emergency. But it also has a dark and addicting side and makes many of us believe we need to be something we’re not.
I’m so grateful for this time away, for this perspective, and for this breath of peace. I truly hope others will try to disconnect a bit this summer, recharge their souls, and reignite what really matters. Real people and our real lives, not the ones we portray on Facebook.
Did you like this post? Then read What I Learned From a Social Media Timeout.
And Putting Away Your Phone and Being Present.
Also, My Advice to Young and Professional Women on Social Media.
I really need to try this. I always feel like I need to snap photos to share, but I would love to try and disconnect for a few days. I will aim to do this before the summer is over!
See the cruise helped, we didn’t buy wi fi. But I’ve been selective today about social and SO much more at peace.
It’s sooo hard to disconnect! Thanks for the reminder.
I have never disconnected for a full day but I do make sure that there are times when I am without it, especially at meal times or when we are out as a family. But it’s hard. If I just take a peak to check on something I fall into the abyss. Thanks for the reminder. And so happy you had a great family vacation!
Thank you! And yes you need to take a break mama!
I love that you make this a priority. I’m sure your family very much appreciates the time away too. In your job it must be hard but it’s obviously important to find that balance!
This is really great. So difficult to find the right balance.
It’s always great to disconnect. Easier said then done, but well worth it!
yes so important!!
Thank G-d for my weekly day of disconnect! Truly lifesaving!! Great post!
So true!! Thank you for the reminder! There are some days when I feel completely addicted to it-it sucks you in and takes precious time. I understand exactly how you feel about needing to constantly update status, get in a good blog post & be present overall on social media. How do you do that AND be present for your family? Seriously, will somebody tell me the trick? Please:))
I schedule my social media time throughout the day and put my phone away after school. It works!
Yes! I wrote about this a couple of months ago too and I’m so much happier. It’s hard to be present instead of just virtually present. But It’s so much better. Thank you for this!
So glad I’m not the only one that feels this way!