A digital detox. Putting my phone down. Turning my out of office on. Soaking up endless days of family time. Being more present. Going on adventures. That’s what holidays are all about. In 2018, an age where we’re constantly connected is a digital detox even possible? I’m going to be the first one to put my hand up and say that I won’t be able to switch off completely, a small part of me will stay connected. That’s ok right? However I will try my best and make every effort to be less connected. It’s something I have been thinking about a lot recently, quite possibly because we are so close to going on our family holiday but also because I know that in general I struggle to switch off.
I’ve heard so much chatter about the increasing number of people taking a digital detox. I’m curious. Can we really switch off? And don’t get me wrong I think it’s a good idea. A really good idea. I would go as far to say that I dislike that we are all so connected or at least feel like we need to be. I know that I am too attached to my phone, although I am getting much better at putting it down. Switching the laptop off at a reasonable hour of an evening and not switching it on at a weekend unless I have a deadline. My phone is the first thing I check in the morning and the last thing I look at. Will I be able to walk away?
I think part of the problem for me is that in my day job I have a senior role in a small business – it’s difficult to switch off as I may be needed. It’s not as simple as someone stepping up. And then there is my blog, in the past I have been guilty of worrying about switching off, missing an opportunity or failing to pick up on a conversation. I’ve always been of the opinion that when you’re building something it’s important to remain consistent. To be available when someone asks a question. This year I have decided that two weeks isn’t going to change the growth of my blog. Will anyone even notice I’m not there? I don’t think so.
On this holiday I want to put it down more, to be more like Mr H who believes in taking this time away from work and switching off. I’d like to say that I won’t look at it but I know that I will need to check in with the office a couple of times a week. I won’t be taking my laptop and I don’t have any content scheduled to go live whilst we are away. But I do use my phone as a camera whilst on holiday so it will be with me however I have already taken my work email off and may even take my blog email off as well.
A digital detox is really what a holiday used to be, a break away – or maybe thats just so long ago when we weren’t all really connected to the world 24/7. I’m not sure. I have made a promise to my boys that I will be having a digital detox although I will be sharing our travels over on Instagram and Stories. Not for any other reason than wanting to share our favourite moments with you. Because I want to. Think Billie Piper. I love Instagram and don’t see it as work. Does that mean I’m not having a detox?
I can’t help but remember how amazing it felt and what a difference just one weekend off made after our weekend in the Cotswolds. I wonder what a whole 16 days will feel like. No alarm, no schedule, no decisions to make other than what beach we’ll be visiting that day and where to eat of an evening. Mojito or Gin. Tapas or Steak. Bikini or Costume. It will be lovely to read my books, to play beach ball games with George, enjoy happy hour cocktails with Mr H and be able to think without interruption.
I’m looking forward to being in the moment. And so, after Friday’s weekly round up post which I always look forward to writing goes live I will not be posting on my blog until we return from our holiday. I will be on a flight to Spain. I won’t be answering any messages, I won’t be writing any blog posts. I will be updating Instagram and Stories with our adventures. I hope you’ll follow along. See you in September.
I’m Kerri-Ann or KA as my friends call me, always found with a cup of coffee in one hand and my camera in the other. I have a huge passion for photography, fitness, fashion and family travel. I started this blog in 2014. It began as my creative outlet after becoming a mummy to our little boy George Archie. I started out blogging about parenting and over the years it has evolved into a blog that covers lifestyle, fashion, family and travel. Today TheKAEdit is ultimately a life and style blog. Thank you for reading x x
Have a great holiday KA. I think a digital detox is always worth a try. xx
Thanks so much I am so ready for this break, and I am definitely going to try and switch off as much as possible
Have a lovely time! x
Thanks so much
Great idea KA and I’m like you I don’t think I’d ever be able to fully switch off but I’m currently trying to have less time on my phone and if I’m honest I’m finding it tough! I fully believe that switching off is a good thing just need to work out how xx
It is hard, I think exercising has helped me as I’m too tired to log on in the evenings now! I try most evenings to leave my phone upstairs charging whilst I go down after George has gone to bed. That definitely helps. Try a Do Not Disturb function as well – so you don’t get notifications after a certain time x
Such a good idea – and much needed for everyone these days. I think it’s good to be present on holiday, and more relaxed. I definitely enjoyed mine when we went to Gran Canaria … and actually felt more energised to be creative again when we got back. Jess xx
I think so too, surely a little break is good for the soul. Hopefully I’m left feeling that way too x
I know I’ve felt more relaxed on holiday when I’ve been able to check out of social media and just be more present. Have the best time away KA, enjoy the time with your boys xx
Thanks so much lovely, yes to family time x
I think it is so needed every now and again, especially with what we do, although that makes it so much harder. On our last cruised I have an enforced detox whilst we were at sea which may have only been 12 hours a day but it was wonderful, have a great time x
I definitely enjoyed having a little break from things x
I’m pretty good now at not logging into my day job work emails whilst I’m away or on a family day out, even though I’m self employed and often feel the need to be ‘on’ all the time. I warn my clients in advance and give them alternative options if they’re really desperate. Blog-wise I try and have one day each week where I don’t even look at Facebook or Instagram because I want to be present with my girls and most of the time I don’t even think about it because I’m enjoying being with them. When I do eventually go to catch up I realise that I haven’t missed FB in the slightest but I do miss Instagram – I love it as a creative, inspiring and supportive space. It’s all about mindset I think. I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your boys and your friends and I hope you return feling relaxed, refreshed and recharged.
I definitely don’t miss updating social channels, sadly with work it isn’t possible to switch off completely although I did try
I think it’s important to those times when you check offline to be 100 percent present. I found I enjoy them more there is less pressure for those perfect photos although I do find it hard not to look for those places and pass them by. Hope you enjoyed it.
I definitely tried my best, it wasn’t 100% for my day job but I didn’t switch the blog on which was my main area to break from