One of the best ways to unplug, no?
Before we had kids, Ed and I would often take weekend trips – to the beach or to the country or to a new city – anywhere really. As soon as we got into the car on Friday afternoon, we would turn off our cell phones. Frankly, there was no need for the phone because the only person who would call me was Ed and vice versa.
We’d spend the weekend hiking, talking and just being together. We’d get back in the car on Sunday and turn our phones back on. We’d laugh because more often than not, neither of us missed a single call or received a voicemail over the weekend. We’d joke that we really didn’t need cell phones at all.
Since then, my means of staying connected to the world has multiplied tenfold, thanks to smart phones, laptops and social media. Yes, part of this connection is required as a work-at-home, freelance consultant and in order to take part of all things blog-related.
But we miss something by being so hyper-connected, don’t we?
Jess’ #presence2013 project made me stop and think hard about this. While we all struggle with finding the right balance between work, life and technology, I know that my balance has skewed too far towards technology lately.
Did you know that there is something called “nomophobia” or fear of being phone-less? Do you have the Twitter twitch? Technology and cell-phone addiction is real, characterized by “feelings of withdrawal when you’re without it, compulsive checking of the phone and using it to feel good.” Hmmm, I fit that description…
On FRIDAY starting at sundown, I am participating in National Day of Unplugging. It is designed to help hyper-connected people like you and me remember what it means to be present and to take a day of rest. I know that I need that. Who knows. Maybe I’ll actually get to sit and read a book, cook some more, do an art project with the kids or watch a movie with my husband.
The benefits of unplugging are similar to the benefits of gratitude. Huh, funny how that works, isn’t it?
Starting at sundown on Friday March 1 through sundown on Saturday March 2, I will unplug from all technology although I will answer the phone (only after checking caller ID of course but still, nobody calls me so it’s a moot point).
Won’t you unplug with me starting on Friday night? Come on, we can do this.
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Oh, man, talk about withdrawal! I think it’s a fabulous idea. Thanks for posting this, I had no idea there even was a National Day of Unplugging.
Debbie @ Live from La Quinta recently posted..Weekly Reader: Linking to Inspiration
I try to unplug when Tommy and I head to Pennsylvnia. The service up there is really shotty anyway, but like you say, when I turn my phone back on, I usually haven’t missed much since the people who call me are with me anyway.
Sylvia @ Frolic Through Life recently posted..Back to Crossfit
Unfortunately my job does not allow me to do this, this national day should be on a weekend, LOL! Makes far more sense for people
GiGi Eats Celebrities recently posted..And The Binge Eating Award Goes To…
It is! It starts on Friday at sundown through Saturday at sundown. Everyone needs a break starting on Friday night, right?
Wow! Great idea but it’s going to be super, super tough. I think I can. I think I can.
Isn’t it sad that we need a National Day of Unplugging?
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..February 2013 in Review
sounds like a great challenge! also…totally unrelated but what’s the plugin you use to show your latest instagram pics on your sidebar?
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean recently posted..February Foodie Penpals Reveal Day
Instagram widget for WordPress! You can customize it to show different number of pictures if you want.
Is that in the Widgets page?
Ashley @ The Preppy Runner recently posted..February 2013 Foodie Pen Pals
If you go to add a new plugin and then search for this plugin, it should come up.
YES WE CAN.
Miz recently posted..4 tips for teaching little (& big) people body confidence.
Uh, NO. But you have fun with it!
Coco recently posted..Book Review: Bend Not Break By Ping Fu
Oh yes, it has changed so much! Missing two days this week from our trip made me feel so behind… but it was also totally worth it. We’ll be traveling home on Saturday, so I will likely be unplugged for a few hours anyway, and I love this idea. I’ll join you!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..Why I Run: No Excuses
Oh you brave ladies! You all are onto something here though. I’m definitely too plugged in. I’m going to try to get all of my computer work done before Friday night so I can unplug with you! But getting through an eight hour work shift without my mini computer of time wasting might be a challenge. Isn’t that odd how that’s happened?
Is should unplug to STUDY!
Kat recently posted..Princess Weekend: Race Recap
I know I am addicted to my phone, but I also have to be on it for my job, so it’s a tough one for me!
Heather recently posted..runDisney Princess Half Meet Up 2013
I too need to be on my phone for my job a lot but this technically starts on Friday at sundown – so after work and through Saturday at sundown. We all need a little break, right?
If I didn’t have to be plugged in for my job…I’d so love to disconnect today. Enjoy!!
Heather (Where’s the Beach) recently posted..Cathe’s XTrain Workouts + Way to Go Wednesday
Oh! It starts on Friday at sundown! It’s be crazy to try to do during the week
Sorry that wasn’t clear!
I AM SO SO SO bad at this!! I need to start making a rule to unplug more!
Krysten Siba Bishop (@darwinianfail) recently posted..My 1st Swim Clinic
It’s amazing how we’ve come to a point where we need to be reminded that unplugging is okay!
Kierston recently posted..WIAW: Mr. FUntastic Takes Over!
I went through something awhile back that was super similar and I totally minimized how often and accessible social media was via my phone. It helped some, but it also helps that my boyfriend is completely removed from social media and will call me out if I’m getting too ridiculous. Maybe I’ll participate too!
Colorado Gal recently posted..Albion Fit Review & Giveaway
I LOVE this! Yes, I will unplug with you. I have had times in my life when I could not go without my phone, that uneasy feeling of not having it with you, fortunately, I am not in one of the anxious times in my life and I am able to relax and forget about it (for the most part) I just remind myself that my family needs me more than I need my phone. I will be unplugged and present this weekend, thank you for the inspiration!
Lisa @ RunWiki recently posted..Kyle’s Krusade Race Recap
Sounds like a great plan! I’m not actually much of a phone addict…my phone is on silent 95% of the time, and I lose it all the time. It becomes a problem, because then it’s lost AND I can’t hear it ringing when I call it while trying to find it! Ah!
Becky @ RunFunDone recently posted..The Amazing Oiselle Sample Sale
I’m all over it! I real power down for the most part on the weekend, but a little extra push to go completely unplugged sounds lovely to me. We do a week’s vacation every year in the Adirondacks where there is zero connectivity and not even electricity. Both the hubs and I find this to be the most relaxing week and wouldn’t trade it for anything.
misszippy recently posted..Pull back the curtain
LOVE!!!!! I am so so so glad the #presence2013 project spoke to you so deeply! Makes me SO HAPPY. I am WITH YOU on the national day of unplugging — and hope that MANY of my friends and family will follow suit. Enjoy the loved ones sitting right in front of you, who cares what’s going on in the connected world — like you said, we all spend a TON of time online for work, why continue that into the night and weekends when we finally have that time to unwind, reconnect with family and friends and just BE.
Jess recently posted..The bottom line: sweat
I am the worst at disconnecting, although I’ve been trying to do it more and more lately. It’s so hard! I tried doing one day a week unplugged, but I had a group project class that term and invariably had important emails that needed to be answered. I’m trying, for now, to just close the computer and keep my phone near me so I can answer important emails but not have 100% of my focus online instead of wherever I am.
Jen @ Jens Best Life recently posted..Bumble & Bumble U. Model Project Review
LOVE! I NEED to do this.. but I am not sure I WILL do this.
It has been on my heart for MANY months that I need to ‘fast’ from social media. Btu my ‘online committments’ are becoming so much that I am fearful I won’t recover from the break. LOL (online world NEEDS me HAHA!)
rachel @RunningRachel recently posted..Sunglasses Shop Oakley #Giveaway
Sounds like a great idea!
Ed recently posted..Wordless Wednesday
I have to admit the main reason we don’t have kids is david completely fears taking away that freedom of time…he is completely unplugged almost every weekend (unless you count tv) and I have tried to start taking a page from his book. It’s gotten much worse with blogging!
Amanda @RunToTheFinish recently posted..IT Band School – Lunge Matrix for Recovery
I TOTALLY NEED THIS! And, I’m probably going to do it too. I think my hubby would be so proud!
Ashley @ The Preppy Runner recently posted..February 2013 Foodie Pen Pals
after i read this post in my email, my computer died, literally. I took it as a sign.
lindsay recently posted..Food Views: What’s important?
It’s a SIGN for sure!
We’ll be in North Carolina adopting a 12-week old yellow lab rescue…and we’re taking the time to hang as a family. Trust me…aside from a picture or two of the pup, I plan to be unplugged. (I’ve been quite unplugged recently. Haha.)
Melissa @ Live, Love, & Run recently posted..Be unstoppable. #FindYourFit
I definitely depend too much on my phone. My husband instituted no phones at meals or on date night. I will definitely try this day of unplugging
Kelly @ Cupcake Kelly’s recently posted..Playlist Thursday: Songs by Dudes
I LOVE this idea so much!!! I wish I could do it. I’ve only done it a few times and it was because I was camping (out in the middle of nowhere) or last summer I went to Hawaii. It was the first time I truly unplugged and it felt so marvelous.
Lisa recently posted..New Snow
I love this! and think I can do it too, I want to do it, as a matter of fact
Great post my friend!
jobo recently posted..Affirmations.
I LOVE this. I need to do this. My husband always complains that I’m overly addicted to my phone and social media. I think i’ll do it just to prove I can =)
Heather recently posted..$100 a month? Let’s do this!
Love this =) I always am a bit further removed on the weekend. No blogging or reading blogs for me and very little twitter use. I’ve actually been using twitter a ton less recently anyway (my new obsession is IG – HA) =)
Michele @ Nycrunningmama recently posted..Menu Planning for Ironman Training
Ummm…definite maybe? This actually would not be too hard for me, since I am teaching all day on Saturday and won’t be plugged anyway. I should probably take a rain check and do it on a day that it would actually feel like a challenge!
ilene recently posted..Miles to Go Before I Sleep – Fierce Diva Anniversary Edition
What a brilliant idea!
Jess recently posted..Taking care of you