Well, I did it. I went a week without a computer, Twitter, Facebook or reading blogs. Okay, I did turn on the laptop a couple of times, but apparently the Universe was watching out for me and adamant in supporting my intention to DISconnect electronically in order to REconnect with my family over Christmas week as each time I tried, it failed to connect to wireless. Okay, I can take a hint.
I made the decision before we left for our 10 hour drive to Oregon that I was not going to post to Twitter and Facebook during our holiday break. I will admit that there was the one photo of the three kids I posted on Christmas morning, but other then that, I found it pretty easy to DISconnect.
The week off from connecting with people virtually really did help me REconnect with my immediate and extended family. I was more in the moment with what was going on, not thinking about what I was going to post or Tweet about. I enjoyed the down time more. When riding in the car (did I mention 10 hours…one way?), instead of pulling out my Blackberry to check or post on Facebook or Tweet, I talked with my husband, sang with my kids and enjoyed the scenery. Hey, I even READ A BOOK!
Did I enjoy REconnecting with my virtual friends after that week? You bet!
But what I’ve noticed over the past couple of days is the contrast in how present I am with the people physically around me when I am on the computer or my phone tweeting, texting or checking out Facebook versus when I am not.
Don’t get me wrong; these are all great things and I believe that they can support personal and professional lives. However, my challenge to myself and to you is to take a technology break at least once a week, even for an entire week sometimes. Schedule into your life some times when you are DISconnected from your virtual friends in order to more fully REconnect with those that right in front of you–your kids, your husband, your friends in your community, even yourself
Tags: conscious, Enjoying Motherhood, executive moms coach, improving relationships, reconnecting with your spouse
Nicola,
This is a great post and a powerful reminder. I’m working on remembering how to type after taking two weeks off from my work
.
As an entrepreneur, I know how hard it is to quit working and take a much-needed vacation, but this year I really did it! While I did hop on and check email and twitter every couple of days, I noticed that these activities couldn’t hold my attention for long before my mind wandered back to my family and what we were going to be doing for the day.
What was even better is that I noticed I didn’t feel the anxiousness or drive to respond to work emails or tweets. I was just enjoying connecting and seeing what people did for the holidays. It’s like I was “business brain dead” for two weeks!
So here it is the Sunday before the work week begins again, and I’m wondering what I’m going to have to do to get my brain out of “snuggly family unit” mode and back into business mode.
It has been a wonderful, lazy, snuggly (read: connected) vacation. Sad to see it end!