You went out for a meal and didn't take a photo of your dinner to share on social media. You went to the pub and didn't check your phone every 20 minutes for an email or tweet. Your friends were friends you had met, not virtual friends that you may never meet.
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Yes computers and the Internet are essential for living in today's world and many people who have lost touch with each other have found each other again online, making new friendships too. In fact the Internet has changed the world, how we do business and how we form and maintain friendships in general, yet with an increase in online communication and online relationships can come a decrease in face-to-face communication and the time you spend on real life relationships.
Look around any pub, cafe or restaurant. How many people are checking their phones? How many families are on their own individual technology - Ipad, Kindle, smart phone and are sat not speaking? Maybe your family is one of them. Now I'm not insinuating Facebook is the devil or Instagram is the root of all evil but sites like this can be addictive. There is often a positive reinforcement involved with checking in and posting on these sites. Something as simple as a like or comment can make you smile and validate your post. Before you know it you have lost track of time.
A digital detox once in a while can make you realise that the amount of time you are spending online, on your phone, your tablets, can be excessive.
Simple Steps
1. Pick a day which is easy for you to do this. Saturday and Sunday maybe easier if you work in the week, alternatively a day when you are really busy as opposed to a day when you have all the time in the world which you would have spent online.
2. Prepare the day before . Do what you need to do online such as pay bills, message friends, online shopping and the like.
3. Put the computer and all other devices away. Yes you may need your phone but stop the push notifications from your social media apps and your email.
4. Plan what you are doing in advance. Meet up with friends, read that book you have been putting off, go for a long walk, take up that new hobby you have been meaning to try. Keeping busy will help you on your first detox day.
5. Enjoy time spent with your friends and family and enjoy your own company - it's very underrated!
6. Repeat frequently as you see the benefits.
You never know as well as finding time you never realised you had, it may strengthen the bonds with loved ones and you may actually enjoy it.
Tell me - do you think you could do a digital detox? Are you addicted to technology or social media?
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I think I'm in need of a digital detox! I'm addicted to social media. I'm always checking my inbox and social media accounts. I dread to think how much time I spend glued to my phone. Great post x
ReplyDeleteI think it can easily take over your life. Good luck with it Emily!
DeleteI would love a digital detox and its weird it has only been recently that I have been so attached to technology. We all need time out to grasp reality x
ReplyDeleteWe do Ana, I agree.
DeleteI kind of do this on a Saturday, it is my day to catch up on all the house chores and read a book x
ReplyDeleteI'm planning to do mine on a Sunday.
DeleteI remember before social media existed and before we all had phones and internet. I do wonder how we managed x
ReplyDeleteI wonder as well Hannah!
DeleteI'd love a bit of a digital detox. I'm the social media for my job, plus my blog and my personal accounts, I feel like I live on social media and not quite sure when I'd get the chance to detox, as awful as that sounds!
ReplyDeleteI think it's important to make the time for this if you feel it's taking over your life. Good luck if you try it.
DeleteI love this idea! My partner and I are trying to have a no mobile zone in the evenings :) and keep our mobile phones in a different room when we sleep x
ReplyDeleteGood luck with that Emilie.
DeleteThere's nothing I love more than switching my phone off and sitting with a good book and a cuppa instead of endlessly checking notifications. Although it's tricky as social media i a large part of blogging I like to schedule tweets so I can have the odd day off here and there.
ReplyDeleteI schedule posts too Roxie. It's a great way to spread your content without being constantly chained to the Internet.
DeleteThis sounds like such a great idea. I think it's important to have a break from social media every now and again! x
ReplyDeleteLove this article! I often take a social media break but there's lots more here I could do :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a coincidence as I also wrote a post about finding time to disconnect and try a little bit of digital detox too. I tried to disconnect around Xmas for a few days and it felt so much better as I was completely attached to my phone, laptop, ipad, etc!! It is crazy how much time we spend on social media but I guess it is even more difficult for us bloggers to find a balance!! I will try to do this more often in the New Year as it feels good!! :-) xx
ReplyDeleteGood luck with this Franca. I think it is finding a balance that is important, and this can be difficult if you are using social media for your work too.
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