But what is a digital detox you ask?
A digital detox is when you completely cut out anything and everything digital/techy from your life. This is mainly your smartphone, iPad and laptop. I don’t know about you, but I feel like I’ve become so addicted and reliant on my devices that they’ve become an extension of my arm.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the digital world. How could I not? I’ve been brought up with it and now it’s a huge part of my business life, plus it’s allowed me to do freelance work from the comfort of my home, in local coffee shops and wherever I am in the world. But I do feel like it’s causing a lot of people to lose out on more meaningful, face-to-face interaction. I can’t even begin to describe to you how important actually speaking and interacting with real humans is.
More often than not, when my other half and I go out for meals or for drinks, you see people sat there scrolling through their phone rather than talking to the person they are with. It honestly makes me so sad. People are so much more interested in what’s going on on Facebook or Instagram than listening to their significant other telling them about their day.
I try my hardest to never do these things, but I have to admit, even I’ve been guilty of it from time to time.
If you feel a little bit too reliant on your smartphones and tablets these days, why not check out some of my tips on how to do a digital detox. Why not try it this weekend!
Catch up on that book you’ve been meaning to finish in forever!
I have way too many books that I’m reading at the minute. The problem is, I have so many and never get round to finishing them. Sometimes with all the blogging, working, photography, and trying to have a life too, I find that I tell myself I never have time to finish them. A digital detox gives you more time to do the things you’ve been holding off on and want to do more of. For me, reading is one of those things. I hate to say it but lately, I’ve been doing much more social media scrolling (thanks Instagram for changing your algorithm again) than reading, and it’s not OK!
Re-connect with people offline.
I’m very much a people person and for me, I love just sitting and talking with my friends, family and other half. We’re used to always having some sort of distraction, whether it’s checking WhatsApp or Instagram notifications, so it’s really important to re-connect without these thoughts and feelings in the back of our minds too. Although the internet and social media has indeed helped us connect with people from all over the world, it’s also made our offline connections more complex. Sleep in and have breakfast in bed with your other half, go to lunch with your gals or make dinner with your parents. It’s so important to cherish and put time and effort into offline relationships.
Develop a better relationship with your technology.
Nowadays we’ve become super dependant on our devices, but we don’t necessarily need to give up on them completely. Just build a better relationship with them. We all need to realise that the world won’t end if we don’t check Instagram every hour, or if we don’t reply to a message straight away. Our devices are there to be helpful and beneficial to our lives, not just there to kill time.
Now I’m not saying that you need to completely fall off the face of the earth to do this.
Afterall, everyone is that accessible these days that if your parents or other half can’t get hold of you, they might think something bad has happened! Here are my top tips for doing a digital detox without people thinking you’ve run off to Timbuktu!
1. Make sure you tell everyone close to you
Just for everyone’s sake, let people know. People that you converse with on a regular basis and people who need to know, like your Mum and Dad. If you want, post it on your social media, tell them that you’re going to be offline for a couple of days, that way people know what’s happening and that you’re not ignoring them.
2. Turn your phone, laptops and tablets off completely
I don’t mean on standby or do not disturb. Not even just popping it in a drawer. Turn it off completely and put it out of sight. Out of sight out of mind. You’re only human so you’ll be tempted to turn it on and look, but once people know you’re heading offline, you’ll have less pressure on yourself to check in.
3. Be sure to plan ahead
If you’re a blogger like me, you won’t want to stop posting. One thing I use to keep ahead is Buffer. It’s a great tool to be able to schedule your posts and keep putting your posts out there. It makes sure that my blogging game doesn’t suffer too much.
If you want to plan things with your friends make sure you plan them before you start your detox. It’s also a great way of ensuring no one can back out of your plans because you’ll have no way of finding out! Go out for brunch or afternoon tea and enjoy connecting with each other again. Either that or enjoy some serious me time. Head out for a coffee and read a book or go and discover a new place 🙂 You have full control of what you do.
If you’re looking to reconnect and get away from your tech devices, why not try a digital detox over the weekend!
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Have you ever done a digital detox before? Let me know in the comments below!
Yes, we need some time to go back to a real normal life. Make way to get rid of gadget and socialize with people around us, it will be so much great..
Definitely agree!
I really need to do this. I feel like I’ve become SO ADDICTED to the internet and everything I can do on it. With my husband coming home from the middle east for R&R, it might be the perfect time to do a digital detox.
I think we can all begin to get addicted to our devices for sure! Aww I really hope you have a lovely time when your hubby returns!
Digital detox is a good idea, but it is becoming increasingly difficult. It’s not just due to being addicted to electronics- it’s also because so many of us use and depend on electronics for what we do for a living. For me, I still need to be connected digitally for job purposes, but as for everything else, I could do with some down time free from electronics interference.
Definitely is difficult! Especially as a business owner like yourself. But I do think we should disconnect from them occasionally 🙂
Such a powerful article in today’s world! I do so agree with you on all this. Technology is a cursed blessing in disguise!
Thank you so much! It really is a cursed blessing in disguise.
This is such a great post. I’m so guilty of being on my phone or computer entirely too much and have to remind/make myself disconnect. Thanks for sharing some helpful tips!
Thanks so much! I think we’re all guilty of it to some extent! But hopefully this will help 🙂
Totally agree with this – but sooo hard to do now a days! Everything I use to run my businesses and family is “techy”…but still very important to step away sometimes and start to connect on a personal level once in a while! 🙂
I know that’s the problem, we’re now in a position where we all rely on it so much 🙁 super important to still connect definitely 🙂
I had a forced detox last summer while I was in Oregon for a music/eclipse festival for a week. It was honestly so refreshing to come home not knowing what was going on in the world. Since then, I try to pick up a book instead of my phone. Even the smallest of things can help with a digital detox.
Definitely agree! So glad it worked for you 🙂
Oh my gosh, I love! I wrote a post recently about taking a personal retreat – totally recommend turning off the phone during the whole process. In today’s society of just uber connectivity, it’s so important to just be with yourself in the silence. Great post!
Will definitely head over to have a read! 🙂 it really is!
OMG, just the thought of doing this gives me anxiety LOL but I think it IS very necessary! For everyone nowadays 🙂 thanks for sharing the tips they are very helpful!
Jeanny from http://www.glitzbeautyblog.com
Haha I think it gives a lot of us anxiety! I’m glad you enjoyed them 🙂
I love this! I constantly catch myself on my phone when I could probably be spending more quality time with those around me! Thank you for this sweet reminder!
Totally agree, I’m exactly the same! I’m glad you enjoyed the post 🙂
Loved reading this
You are so totally right about everything you said! I too notice people out at dinner with loved ones not even paying attention to them and it makes me feel bad and really aware of my own actions. It can feel so great to step away from everything. I notice a huge difference when I abandon even just Facebook for some time. I also get worried about taking a break from my blogging game, but scheduling things does definitely help! Great post!
Aww thanks hun! It’s so sad to see isn’t it! I just want to go over and shake people sometimes. Thanks for your comment 🙂
Absolutely agree. I pull the plug a few times a year, especially around the holidays. It helps me gain perspective on what I really hold to be important. Great call on giving people a warning, too!
Yeah I do it around the holidays too, it’s the perfect time to switch off 🙂 Haha I always find it stops people freaking out!
Your post is spot on! I have a hart time stepping away from my phone, but it’s so important for your mental health and your relationships. Thanks for the insights!
Thanks so much! It’s super difficult, especially in the blogging world.
This is so important! I really want to try this. Thanks for the inspiration.
Aww let me know how it goes! 🙂
i took a detox from instagram.I think it refeshed my mind a little on what i wanna post next.
Sounds like it worked well for you 🙂
I love all these tips, especially about catching up on books! I have a huge list of books that I am waiting to read! Going to take some time offline and re-center!
Books are such a good way to shut off from everything 🙂