Why You Should Consider Trying A Digital Detox in 2016

by Nichola K. Brown, LICSW

It’s becoming a nearly impossible task to balance, work, life and play.  Trying to switch to the off button on the mental connectivity can difficult when we have conditioned ourselves to always be on.  Always connected to something we leave little to no time to process all the information we are taking in.  Sometimes, we just need time to figure out what is going on emotionally, physically and/or spiritually.  We are like internet zombies; blindly consuming whatever is placed in front of us.   Seriously, just think about how much time you spend online each day.  If we were to add up how much time we spending using technology; it would probably shock you.   Well someone did that for us, it is reported that Americans use technology 11+ hours a day. 

   

Remember that time you were looking for a new natural hair tutorial and then 5 hours later you watched every video that person ever made about their life, and now you feel like you guys are family.   Ok, maybe that’s just me.

Well, I just want you to consider a few things the next time you get trapped the digital vertex; your time is your most precious asset.  Once you spend it; you can never get it back.  If we think about our time, as finite and limited, we may become more selective about how and with whom we choose to spend our time.  The illusion is that we have forever to get started, to change our careers, to start our new business, to write a new book, to work on ourselves.  The truth is that we only have today.  Today, this moment, that is it!  

Stop Wasting Time.  

“Time is an illusion.”
― Albert Einstein

You do not have forever to get “it” done.  Most of the time we spend online is because we are looking a distraction.  A distraction from our worries, boredom, life, relationship conflict, etc.  It’s an opportunity to escape our present reality.  A digital detox will prevent you from wasting time and help you to look directly at what is causing you to be distracted.  Also, don’t forget that there are millions/billions of dollars begin spend to keep you online.  So don’t think that it’s all you.  Once you get cause in the vortex; it’s hard to pull yourself out.  

Find Your Purpose  

“A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.”
― Charles Darwin

What are you supposed to be doing with your life?  This is a deep and profound questions that we all have to confront in this life.  What is our purpose?  No one can answer that questions for us.  Therefore, we must invest time find out what we are supposed to be going and get to it.  Your time is so valuable; you could be creating a new business, designing a new fashion line, etc.  But, everything you are reading, wearing, listening to has already been created.  You are supposed to create something, as well.  Do you know what it is?  If you do, are you doing it?

Invest In Your Relationships

If you love someone, the greatest gift you can give them is your presence. -Thich Nhat Hanh 

It’s becoming clear that technology is ruining relationships.  When our family and friends are competing with our phone for time and attending, there is a problem.   The impact can be costly to our relationships.  Do not trade virtual relationships for real-time with your loved one.  Invest quality and technology-free time with the people you care about.  At the end of your life, what happens Facebook, Instagram and Twitter will mean nothing to you; the only thing that will matter is the loved ones that are gathered around you.

Beauty in The Journey

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:11

Staring at others to find fulfillment; distracts us from living our God-given dreams and visions.  Looking at celebrities or others who have achieved the things we aspire to achieve are just empty-fillers and does not lead to fulfillment.  Fulfillment comes from living out your purpose.   The happiness, joy, peace, wellness that you desire are all within your grasp.  Your journey is important and it’s worth walking through, because at the end you will live a life without regrets.  Your ideas could be worth millions of dollars, but if you don’t start creating it and investing you will look at some else’s millions and live vicariously through them.  If you are willing to disconnect and really connect with what is important to you, you can find fulfillment.  Your time is coming, but you have to be willing to put the time into your dreams.

Here are few tips and ideas if you would like to try a digital detox.

1. Remove the push notifications from your phone. 
2. Do you use phone after 10pm. 
3. Remove your phone from your bedroom and place in another room at night. 
4. Do not use your phone while eating. 
5. Use the internet only for work purpose. (Open only one browser for the enter day) 
6. Over the weekend: Do not use your phone until 12noon 
7. Try to go 24 hours without using your phone or internet. Work on a project, business idea, volunteer, etc.

Try a coaching group, if you need help.  I have a 7-week Digital Detox Coaching Group that helps make this a priority. Sign up here: http://eepurl.com/bMseCP  if you’re interested learn more about it or getting more tips on how to disconnect to reconnect 

Nichola K. Brown, LICSW is a therapist as well as a life and wellness coach. She is author of the book, “Sabbath Season: A Call to Rest” Founder of RESET a Digital Detox Coaching Group: http://eepurl.com/bMseCP