Last week's retreat to Costa Rica was eye-opening in a number of ways. I had plenty of takeaways--most of them related to learning how to unwind and relax (see June's newsletter for more on this!)--but I think that one of the most important takeaways from this trip didn't really register until I returned and began settling back into my life yesterday.
That takeaway? The benefits of being away from technology for a week. I know, I know, this is a hot topic and it's all over the place and many people are probably sick of reading about it/thinking about it, but please, hear me out. First, let me explain that we were not completely unplugged in Costa Rica. We had wifi in our dining hall and by the pool; I still blogged each day, I checked my email at least 2x each day, checked Facebook and Instagram occasionally, and posted a few social media updates throughout the week. But, I couldn't use my phone or computer in my room. I couldn't go to set my alarm at night and then spend the next 30 minutes scrolling through my NewsFeed in bed (I hate this but it always happens!). I couldn't check my email shortly after waking, I couldn't check my phone right after teaching or after my massage or after/while relaxing in a hammock, and when we left the retreat center to go on an excursion, our phones ceased to work--they simply became our cameras. On this trip, I was able to go on a technology diet that worked VERY well for my system. I slept like a rock every night, I was fully present with those around me, and I felt very detached from the online world. We had deep conversations that weren't interrupted by phones or alerts. We were able to read or nap or sleep without updates coming in. We handled online issues/posts in batches, all at the same time, instead of all day every day. One retreater told me that at home, she had gotten into the habit of waking up in the middle of the night to check her work email--because emails came in from the West Coast office around midnight--and that this trip was weaning her off of that habit. It's amazing isn't it, the extent to which we're ruled by our devices? I know it's everywhere, articles saying that our brains are changing, our communication styles are changing, our attention spans are changing, and I have to say that this past week, I really felt it. I felt the difference between a fully plugged-in life and a slightly less plugged-in one. The change was subtle, but as I reflect on my state of being over the past week, I see that it made a big impact. Did I go through real withdrawal symptoms the first few days there? Yes, definitely. It took me until about Wednesday (we arrived Saturday) to really settle into this slower pace and to unplug myself, and knowing that I felt those symptoms is proof enough for me that our technology is addictive and that our fast-paced lifestyles are not good for us. So, this week, as I settle back into my regular life, away from fresh coconuts and hammock-lounging and all organic meals prepared by someone else at the same time every day (sigh), I've decided to make the following changes to my tech life, and see how it feels:
Want to take it a step further? Start scheduling a tech-free day oncer per week. Again, pretty life-changing if you can make it happen. I may try to do this on Sundays, if I can...
Mary Catherine
6/4/2014 05:01:58 am
I love the idea of turning of your wifi at night and turning phones to airplane mode while sleeping! Genius!!! Thx for sharing. A little over a week ago I deleted all the social apps (except Instagram..but the alerts are off) from my phone and deactivated my Facebook. I've been wanting to disconnect from my phone and finally just went all in. I'm definitely having withdrawals even now... it feels weird. I feel a little disconnected. I miss a lot of things that are happening in the world. But overall I feel a lot better. I keep my phone on the other side of the room when I sleep.. and often just find that I lose my phone for hours at a time, which is really freeing! I'm no longer refreshing Twitter when I'm at a red light (bad, I know) or checking my email when I first wake up. It's really, really nice.
Mary Catherine
6/4/2014 05:03:11 am
Oh wow, Caroline, GO YOU! That's incredible and I'm so impressed that you could do it! I'd love to do the same, but I think I need to take baby steps... Such a great post and newsletter!!! I really enjoyed seeing your images on instagram of your trip to CR. I just love your blog and I am sorry it's taken me so long to comment. I have been reading for months. :) I am starting a new blog very soon and settling into a new city, trying to discover studios to teach at. Your blog has helped me tremendously. Thank you so much!! Namaste!! Elizabeth
Mary Catherine
6/4/2014 05:06:15 am
Thanks for the sweet feedback, Elizabeth! It's so great to hear from you and I'm so happy to hear that my blog has been helpful to you. Good luck on the transition! It will be amazing, just give yourself space to grieve your old life so you can fully embrace your new one :)
Ashley
6/2/2014 08:08:35 am
I, too, ditched my phone as alarm clock and bought an radio/alarm clock. $25 on Amazon. I was tired of my phone being the first thing I touched in the morning as the alarm went off and last thing at night to set the alarm. I stopped the alerts about a year ago and last week took a 5 day stay-cation and went off social media 100%/work email the entire time. Rest my dear brain. Rest.
Mary Catherine
6/4/2014 05:06:59 am
I love the idea of buying a real alarm clock. We were discussing it in CR and I think it might be the next step for me/us... Comments are closed.
|
HELLO!I'm Mary Catherine, a Cape Cod-based yoga teacher, painter, designer, writer, mom, and list-maker extraordinaire. My goal is to inspire you to start living a more creative, simple, joyful, + purposeful life.
{Learn more + read my story}
|