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Time to Disconnect

amomentwithfranca · 24 December 2015 · 50 Comments

I have been thinking a lot about the time that I spend with my mobile, laptop, iPad, PC and any other digital device!! We are in an era where everybody communicates with each other at any time through these devices! Even when you go out for dinner with family or friends, you are probably half the time looking at emails, checking the latest stories on Facebook, what is the latest great photo in Instagram, what is trending on Twitter or chatting in WhatsApp. Of course, we just want to share what we are doing, and show what a cool fun time we are having instead of just enjoying the moment with our family or friends.

Time to Disconnect FI

This is probably something very ironic coming from me because I need to have a balance in order to survive as a blogger. The reality is that from time to time we really need to stop and perhaps think about what are we doing. Sometimes I feel like my life has become totally dependent on technology!! I honestly think that I need to take my mobile everywhere and I need to check my mobile everywhere too!!

There have been times where I thought I lost my mobile because I couldn’t find it and I was feeling like my life was destroyed. Yes, I felt broken! How sad is that? I’m sure this is not just my feeling. I’m sure there are a lot of people out there feeling the same way as me!! Being a blogger is a passion for me, it’s something that makes me happy gives me a lot of motivation, I want more every day and I want to reach new goals every day too. However, this feeling sometimes is a little bit too much. I think I need to rest from time to time, give my body some fresh air and try to be surrounded by nature.

What am I talking about? I’m talking about having a digital detox. So, what is this? According to Wikipedia, this “refers to a period of time during which a person refrains from using electronic connecting devices such as smartphones and computers. It is regarded as an opportunity to reduce stress or focus on social interaction in the physical world.”  So YES, this is what I need!! 😉

For the first time after 6 intense months of blogging, I have decided to disconnect from my blog. I will have a break for 2 weeks which is the perfect time to enjoy my family during the festive holidays. I really want to have fun with my girls and get the most of the time that we are all together as a family.

I found some interesting facts about our technology habits. Did you know that:

  • UK adults spend an average of 8 hours 41 minutes a day on screens (more time than they are asleep).
  • UK children spend 6 1/2 hours a day on screens.
  • The average user logs 1.72 hours a day on social media alone.
  • And checks their smartphone 150 times a day.
  • Half of all UK adults admit to being ‘completely hooked‘ on their smartphones, emphasising the need for a regular digital detox.
  • 80% of smartphone users say checking their phone is the first thing they do in the morning.
  • 66% of UK smartphone owners in a study self-reported suffering from ‘nomophobia’, the fear of losing or being without their phones at any given time – obsessively checking to make sure they have their phone with them, and constantly worrying about losing it somewhere.
  • The first inpatient facility for treating internet addiction in the US opened in 2013. China has opened 300 teenage bootcamps imposing a strict digital detox to deal with increasing problems of teen internet addiction.

Retreats Hawaii

These figures are incredible right? I was amazed when I read this information! I also googled about digital detox and I found that there are places where you can go, to basically forget about everything and just relax! As soon as you arrive you start this process of handing-in’ your phone, tablet, laptop, Fitbit’s, kindles, game consoles and any digital device with a screen. They keep all your digital gadgets safe for you until it’s time to leave. These places are retreats that are normally located in areas of outstanding natural beauty like in Hawaii for example. Who wouldn’t like to go there? I certainly would love to go there and disconnect completely from the real word and reconnect with myself and nature again. All of that for one week!! How wonderful would that be?

One way of getting into that zone is by doing yoga. I have actually never done Yoga before but it is something that I’m willing to try. If you’re looking for yoga retreats in Hawaii for example, could be the perfect destination. With white sandy beaches to mountain terrain with 2,700 acres of open green space scattered with coconut trees, monkey pods and rare plant species, it’s a place where you can enjoy yoga, surfing and hiking while experiencing the local culture and history on this digital detox, surfing and yoga holiday, an altogether truly special place. How amazing is that? I love the sound of that, it sounds like heaven!! 😉

From now I will be enjoying my 2-week break. I plan to try to disconnect as much as I can. I don’t know if I will stop dealing with my social media 100% but I certainly would like to get some time off!

Have you ever done a Digital Detox? Would you go to a yoga retreat or a natural retreat and hand over all of your devices? 

*Disclaimer: this is a collaborative post

Thanks for stopping by,

Love you all ❤️

Franca  💋

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Comments

  1. Maria @ Suburban Mum says

    24 December 2015 at

    I know how you feel Franca! I am always on my phone or infront of the laptop! Now is probably the perfect time to disconnect and recharge the batteries ready for the New Year! I hope you and your family have a lovely Christmas xxxxx

    Reply
  2. Rachel (Lifeofmyfamilyandme) says

    28 December 2015 at

    Wow those are some interesting facts! I hope your enjoying your well deserved 2 weeks off from social media xx

    Reply
  3. William G says

    1 January 2016 at

    Ha-ha When computers first started being used at work in the design office, we were only allowed to use them for 3 hours per day, and only 2 hours in one session before a 1 hour break away from the screen!

    Reply
  4. Abigail Cullen says

    1 January 2016 at

    These thoughts that you have written down are very true, I to spend far to much time on my Kindle and have to get out more and lead a more active life, as I have piled on the pounds, due to an excessive amount of time using technology sitting on the sofa.

    This has to be my New Years Resolution!

    Thank you for your thoughts.

    Reply
  5. Sarah hp says

    1 January 2016 at

    Oh I am totally a technology addict! I’d hate to add up the amount of time I spend on social media everyday, I think I’d be close to some of these stats. I have a few rules – no checking my smart phone in bed (I do break this a bit though). If I’m out with my kids I switch off the internet on my phone completely. When I’m at home with the kids though it’s a totally different story I check everything, all the time!

    Reply
  6. veronica lee says

    3 January 2016 at

    Guilty! I too, spend too much time on social media everyday, One of my new year’s resolutions is to spend less time online. It’s amazing how much housework you can do when you are offline!

    Reply
  7. Laura's Lovely Blog says

    3 January 2016 at

    I’ve never heard of a digital detox, but man have I enjoyed switching off this Christmas and just having time with my family. Today I was busy and I had realised it had been 4 hours since I checked my phone, and it was kind of freeing. So I totally get where you’re coming from. Great post Franca x

    Reply
  8. Mummy Lala (Laura) says

    4 January 2016 at

    I’ve never heard of a digital detox it after reading those statistic I’m going to start doing it. I announced to Alex last night that one night a week I intend to have a pamper evening which will include face masks, a bath, etc. I also said that on this weekly pamper session I will not use my phone or MacBook and they’ll be put away for the night until the morning. I can’t wait!!!

    Laura x

    Reply
  9. tracey bowden says

    5 January 2016 at

    Guilty as charged! i am totally addicted! Unfortunately so is Olivia despite mot having her own mobile yet how bad is that. I do limit her time on digital platforms but I think it should be my own. I hope you enjoyed your break #anythinggoes

    Reply
  10. Mrs Tubbs says

    7 January 2016 at

    I’m trying to disconnect regularly this year. It’s so easy to spend most of the day staring at a screen. Hope you enjoyed your two weeks off and all the best for 2016

    Reply
    • amomentwithfranca says

      9 January 2016 at

      Yes I really enjoyed it!! I needed it! But now I’m back and ready to carry on!! Thanks for commenting lovely, 🙂 xx

      Reply
  11. Coombe Mill says

    30 January 2016 at

    You could always try here for a digital detox as there is no mobile signal! However our wi fi is excellent. #KCACOLS

    Reply
    • amomentwithfranca says

      30 January 2016 at

      I will go to Coombe Mill this year. I have it in my to do list!! So I will let you know when I have it organised!! xx

      Reply
  12. Kayla says

    30 January 2016 at

    I want my husband to do this but I don’t think he will lmao!!

    Reply
    • amomentwithfranca says

      30 January 2016 at

      lol maybe you could both have a week of digital detox together!! 😉

      Reply
  13. Agent spitback says

    30 January 2016 at

    I had my break and it was wonderful to be able to focus your energy on yourself and your family without digital interruptions from both sides! I did not have a complete disconnect but it was very limited. But it was so so so good not only for your own soul but also as a family. Those places sound like a fab idea but will I have the courage to try and really disconnect? I don’t know. #KCACOLS

    Reply
    • amomentwithfranca says

      30 January 2016 at

      Yes I also think the same. I would love a semi disconnection, exactly the same of what you had!! I’m still dreaming of the holiday you just had!! lol xx

      Reply
  14. Becky at PinksCharming says

    30 January 2016 at

    I really should do a digital detox, I can’t go more than half an hour without checking my phone! Good luck, I hope it isn’t too hard! Becky x #KCACOLS

    Reply
    • amomentwithfranca says

      30 January 2016 at

      I did disconnet around Xmas time but it wasn’t a complete detox as you I’m attached to my phone 24/7 but I wouldn’t going to any of this retreats for 1 week!! 😉 xx

      Reply
  15. GemmA says

    31 January 2016 at

    I’m totally guilty of this too but I do try to keep it at bay when I’m with the kids. I think I’m going to start making a concious effort to put it in a drawer or somewhere out of reach and have a timeslot where I can have ‘social media time’, perhaps when the kids have gone to bed and the hubby’s working late. Social media has brought a lot of great things into our lives but it’s also pulled us away from reality. Quick book me a trip to Hawaii that’ll fix it x

    Reply
  16. Maria says

    31 January 2016 at

    I know I’ve already commented on this but just popping back for #KCACOLS xx

    Reply
  17. Robyn says

    31 January 2016 at

    I hope your digital detox went really well and you found a bit of peace and quiet without technology distracting you. My phone has been broken for over a week. At first it was very frustrating (especially since I love Instagram!) but as the time has gone on, I’ve missed it less and less. I still have internet of course, so it’s not completely a digital detox but it’s opened my eyes to how frequently I’d be checking my phone previously. #kcacols

    Reply
  18. Kelly rOBINSON says

    31 January 2016 at

    The facts on here scared me but I can see how it is true. Since I started blogging, the time spent on devices has increased dramatically. It is hard to remove ourselves from the internet but something we have to do as parents! #KCACOLS

    Reply
  19. BEAUTYBABYANDME says

    31 January 2016 at

    Yikes – the average smartphone user checks their phone 150 times a day!! I can imagine that! I bet it’ll be so tough to do a detox but I bet it’d be so good for the soul. I have to admit I’d be lost without my phone especially in the night when I’m feeding. But we do get too reliant on these things! I can’t wait to hear how you get on xx #KCACOLS

    Reply
  20. Someone's Mum says

    31 January 2016 at

    I am definitely guilty of this – it is difficult at the moment as my blog is new and I feel like I need to work a lot to get it seen. Having said this, my husband and I have teachnology free sat and sun evenings and I try to make sure I spend my whole day off with the kids internet free – though I sometimes cave on that one if there’s an important post I need to get seen! I think it’s really important to be aware of it #KCACOLS

    Reply
  21. Lucy at occupation: (m)other says

    31 January 2016 at

    Hope it went well. I love digital detoxing but it is hard to manage and technology creeps in – checking iPad and phone becomes a habit very quickly. I’ve been leaving my phone downstairs in the evening so when I go up to my bedroom I am completely disconnected until I go downstairs for breakfast…I know it doesn’t sound very much, but it’s been really good actually. All to often I’d have a last look before bed and something would come up that would get my brain whirring! #KCACOLS

    Reply
  22. Jessica Powell (Babi a Fi) says

    31 January 2016 at

    It really does make a huge difference – when we moved into our current house we had no internet for three weeks, and we had no TV either. I was on maternity leave waiting for Marianna to arrive so all I could do was read, craft and keep house. It did feel like I was missing a limb, but I did feel healthier and was sleeping better, etc. x #KCACOLS

    Reply
  23. Emma Jones says

    31 January 2016 at

    I’m definitely addicted to my phone & love the Internet. I do sometimes worry I use my phone too much but try to balance it out with outdoor activities when the weather is nice. #kcacols lifeinthemumslane

    Reply
    • amomentwithfranca says

      31 January 2016 at

      Yes I think we are all addictive to our phones. And as soon as we can’t get on our social media we feel lost lol! I’m on my phone even when we are out and about doing outdoor activities!! Terrible right? Need to change that. Thanks for commenting, 🙂 xx

      Reply
  24. Mrsmumnz says

    31 January 2016 at

    It is super addictive eh?! I try to be quite strict with myself. I check social media with a cuppa in the morning and then nothing until my little man naps. That’s when I try to blog. It’s why I’m not a very consistent blogger. If I have other jobs that need doing they get done before blogging. I don’t have a laptop just a computer in the office so it’s tough to blog whilst he’s awake. He wrecks the office!
    I hate it when my husband is on his phone instead of talking to me. It especially drives me nuts when we’re out and about. So I try really hard not to do the same to my son. Technology is an amazing resource for so many reasons but it’s downside is that it does disconnect us from the people immediately around us. So hard to find the right balance. There is always something/someone that misses out. A great post! #KCACALS

    Reply
  25. Helen says

    31 January 2016 at

    I too am slightly addicted. Although I’m still pretty new to blogging I am also ‘hungry’ and have realised that my children are seeing too much of the back of my laptop! Good luck and let us know how it goes xx #KCACOLS

    Reply
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