My Digital Detox
As awesome as technology is, it can get in the way of healthy relationships. Just like unhealthy substances such as caffeine, alcohol, sugar, and cigarettes… healthy addictions to things like exercise, running, and eating healthy can consume our lives too. It is a fine line my friends. It is the same with social media and our smartphones… a rampant addiction that can get us in trouble. I did not come up with the digital detox idea. But when I read about it, I will admit I got excited at the thought of unplugging and checking out for a little while. As a yoga teacher and consultant, having a public profile is key. But even more important is being in the moment, connecting with people in front of me, and having personal space to contemplate. The other day I was talking to a friend and they said, “if Instagram is the first thing you think about it the morning, you have a problem.” And although Instagram does not usually cross my mind first, it has eaten into the peace of my morning routine. Total reality check!!
Disconnecting is a great way to reconnect…
So, I decided to take a digital detox break from social media. I took an entire weekend (from Friday to Sunday) and I while I did use my phone, I did not post anything on social media or check my emails. What I noticed during this digital detox is that I felt more present, creative, adventurous, and happier.
What I noticed most during my weekend digital detox…
It is easy to say I felt all those things because it was the weekend, but the truth is, even on the weekends I was checking my phone, social media, and returning emails. But stopping ALL of that I was able to feel whole new level of calm and presence. Imagine… getting up in the morning, making a cup of coffee (or tea), saluting the sun, ad listing to your thoughts. Imagine going about your day without the distraction of checking your phone or sharing your pics and thoughts. It is so liberating and healthy ya’ll. To me, it was not about using technology. I still used my phone to take pictures, reply to texts, and make phone calls. The main difference was I did not post anything on social media or scroll through people’s feeds…. So, I did not feel pressure to keep up with replying to comments or spending time and energy looking at what other people were doing.
Here are the things I learned from digital detox…
1. I look less and live more. I love my smartphone and I did miss it a little, but I got a lot more actual living done when I left my phone on the counter.
2. I set my own rules. Ya’ll know I am all about flexibility… where it is diet, exercise, or digital detoxing, and for me, not posting for an entire weekend was refreshing.
3. I detach more now. Being phone-free for a few hours is refreshing, and I leave my phone in my car, purse, and home more often now. So, I can really see, hear, feel, and listen without distractions.
4. My alignment is better. It is a lot easier to have my head and spine in alignment when I am not looking down at my phone. I know it may sound silly, but I worry about people’s posture and effects of slumping and staring at their phones will have on them over time.
5. I set boundaries. Just because part of my business is online does not mean that I need to be available 24/7. Mornings are my favorite time of day, and I am so excited to not look at my phone until after my morning rituals.
So maybe this will spark your interest in trying a digital detox.