23 Dec 12 digital digital detox blogs of Christmas #12
Our Presence Not Presents Christmas digital detox campaign challenged twelve bloggers to put down their phones for two days, to experience logging-off and focusing on family and friends. We hope that their stories about their experiences inspire you to try a digital detox of your own. The final blog in the series is …
Adventures of a Novice Mum’s digital detox
The adventures of a novice mum’s blog is just that. With another baby on the way she’s still mastering the challenges of parenthood (and doing a mighty fine job at it too). However when it comes to doing a digital detox was she up for the challenge?
“I can’t remember how many times my husband has expressed his concern about my attachment to my mobile, and challenged me to take breaks from it.”
There’s always something the ‘novice mum’ has on her plate, most of it requiring time online. “‘Busy’ is my norm, and staying logged on is what I do. So, trying to log off and go offline is a really tall order and a big ask. I have a to-do list so long that writing it down seems futile. There is always … always … always … something I need to be doing, despite my waddling pregnancy swag.” Even with an impending baby on the way she still keeps herself productive and busy online.
“And the amount of time I potentially spend on screens, and even more on social media unsettled me; even if it’s more for work than leisure.”
The soon-to-be mother of two understands the concept of digital detox but to actually try doing one seems like a daunting challenge. “I can’t remember the last time I had hours of unadulterated, internet-free, and uninterrupted family or even me-time. The thought of it seems impossible, but the challenge of it feels liberating … freedom from digital buttons and keyboard pads … freedom from squinting eyes tired from looking at so many screens.” The digital detox kit came with a Punkt Mp 01 phone that had basic functions such as calling or texting, a notepad and a colouring book. Just the thought of doing a digital detox challenge is appealing to our novice mum, but actually doing one requires a lot more willpower as she would soon find out.
“As someone who appreciates the extent to which reading, creativity, talking, and the outdoors contributes to childhood imagination, screen time is one I’m not a great fan of, for my toddler. Yet, I give myself unlimited screen time.”
The novice mum realised she wants to set a good example of digital usage for her toddler, she also realised the extent of which she allows herself digital screen time. Completely cutting off proved to be quite a difficult task. “trying to log off … cutting off my internet use … keeping away from the screens … for two whole days … just like that … didn’t work for me. I couldn’t get rid of the unconscious and sometimes mindless digital itch, though I managed to resist it for periods during the day.” The idea of this challenge was to control our digital screen time, and we feel that if you actively trying to reduce it in any way possible, then you’re doing a mini digital detox.
And although our final blogger did not make it through the two days without usage of her digital devices she developed a mindset we hope to see more of. “I’m thankful for the practice run; it showed me how attached I was to my phone, and how reliant I was on the internet. Even more, it’s inspired me to rethink my relationship with digital and to gradually create intentional pockets of digital detox within my days, weeks, and months.” The novice mum proved that through doing this challenge she really grasped not only the importance of a digital detox but the experience convinced her to build up a resilience towards letting her digital devices fully consume her time.
“So, I will be found trying to log off again on the 24th and 25th of December. But I think it would be easier this time; with something much more pressing on my mind … someone who especially needs my attention in a way that can’t be delegated … my new baby.”
Our final blogger resolved to change her approach to her digital life, not only for herself but also to set a good example to her children. “I really look forward to making changes in my approach to the encroachment of the digital in my daily life. My children will be young for only so long, and I want to set better digital interaction examples for them.” Hopefully her story inspires you to make it a habit in your life, after all there are many benefits of doing a digital detox.
Think you can attempt a digital detox? Why not give one of our digital detox retreats a go in 2017?
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