Unplugging To Recharge

How taking a tech break has changed my life

I’ve been gone for a couple of weeks. By that I mean I’ve been offline. It wasn’t intentional. It just happened little by little at first. Boy was it worth it.

It started by not looking at or interacting with social media all day. The world didn’t end;

The next day I added on top of ignoring social, not playing with my email umpteen times a day;

Then, on the 3rd day, I skipped social, limited email, and only read headlines on news stories.

This kept going on, day after day. Eventually, I didn’t bother with the phone.

When I stopped, I noticed how different my life had become. Many beautiful things happened.

Here they are:

Free Time:

I realized I was wasting so much time playing with my phone. It was an ingrained habit. Wake up, grab a coffee, open the email, read a lot, swing over to social, and so on.

When I ditched social media, I got more time. Then when I limited my email games, I got even more time.

By the time I let my phone sit, I had a whole day to myself.

Yes, I checked my email because I use it for important stuff. I limited the time I used it… only to deal with stuff and put it away.

My phone became an actual phone!

Not a mini office or entertainment center.

More Focused Mind:

The brain fog disappeared. I could focus. Soon I had a crisp clear mind.

I had forgotten what it was like to think straight, lol.

With my free time and clear mind, I began to scheme. In other words, think deep thoughts, make plans, and have unique ideas… again. It had been so long that I forgot what it was like.

Being Present & In The Moment:

Then a funny thing happened. I discovered what planet I was on.

I’d been in cyberspace so long that I forgot I was from planet Earth. I finally came back.

It’s amazing what being IRL can do to your brain and your life.

You have all your marbles, and you know what planet you’re on. Miracles can happen!

Then, I started doing something really weird. I sat in a room with another person and listened to them… and we talked to each other… and we laughed and enjoyed each other’s company.

I saw them & they saw me.

I was beginning to really enjoy being in real life.

Having A Better Mood:

I noticed that I was calmer. Things moved slower and I felt less rushed and stressed.

I took my time doing things. My mood was changing for the better.

Things didn’t annoy me anymore. I just took things in stride.

Even when things didn’t go as planned, I was okay with it. I didn’t get upset like before.

I was Chill. So strange.

Sleeping Better:

Living in real life made me tired.

It was not from running around or doing things.

It was from being engaged in the real world. It’s overwhelming with wonderful things.

It relaxes you too.

I slept like a log. Deep healthy sleep. Sometimes I took naps too.

I never realized how tired I was from cyberspace.

I dreamed beautiful, gentle dreams too. Calming dreams. I went right to sleep when I got into bed. My body began to regulate my sleep to 7 hours straight.

I felt rested and refreshed in the morning.

I cut back on my coffee and cut out sugar in it too.

I didn’t need stimulants to make it through the day.

Enjoying Life - In Real Life:

I’ve enjoyed being offline so much that I intend to keep it.

I keep up with friends through text or messaging but in a limited way.

I read my emails but I find I’m trashing more of them than taking time with them.

The news is totally not worth my time. I read headlines… but wait 15 minutes and it’ll change or disappear. News is an ephemeral trap and time waster.

Social media is also a time waster. There’s nothing you’ll miss that your notifications (which I turned off eons ago) won’t have stacked up for you when you get there.

Yes, the notifications thing reminded me. I hate jangly noises. I have gentle ringtones for everything. I mute notifications from social, limit notifications from email to important only, and basically police how the phone bothers me.

At night I use bedtime mode and do not disturb early in the evening. People call whenever they feel like it. It doesn’t mean I have to care or play with you. If it’s that important you’ll leave a message. If not…

I also leave my phone in a room unattended, meaning I’m not attached to it 24/7. It’s not a bodily appendage. I don’t turn it off though, which my husband loves to do.

What this all means is that I control technology it doesn’t control me. It’s a tool, not a lifestyle. (or body part)

The world has become so dependent on technology for everything that it’s breaking down society, authentic human communication, and connection. Maybe you feel this way too, or not. I decided to put a check on my technology dependence. I’m better off for it.