5 Things You Can do During a Digital Detox
By: Nicole Pyles
Nicole Pyles is a writer living in the Pacific Northwest. She currently works as a Blog Tour Manager for WOW! Women on Writing. Her writing has been featured in WOW! Women on Writing, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, The Voices Project, and Restless Magazine. You can follow her on Twitter @BeingTheWriter.
There have been a lot of discussions lately on ditching your smart technologies thanks to a recent Vitaminwater contest. Whether or not you can devote an entire year to ditching your smartphone, there is a lot to be said for putting down your digital device. We could all use a break from technology, so if you've decided to cut back or cut out your smartphone completely in 2019, here are a few things you can consider doing while you take a break from technology.
1) Read a real book.
When was the last time you picked up a book? No, I don't mean the book you recently downloaded (although there is absolutely nothing wrong with that). However, for those out there trying to cut back on the digital world, venture off to your local library or nearest used bookstore, and choose a book to take home with you.
2) Go somewhere without the GPS.
Remember the days when you would print out directions via MapQuest? Well, gone are those days and most of us have some type of GPS attached to us, whether it's on our phone or in the car. So in 2019, put on your walking shoes and become a tourist in your own neighborhood. See what you can find without a destination in mind. Or best of all, get in the car and pick a direction. You'll never know what you may find.
3) Have an in-person conversation with someone you haven't seen outside of social media in a long time.
When was the last time you had coffee with someone you interacted with almost exclusively on social media? Whether it's a former coworker you haven't seen in a while or a friend that you've lost touch with, plan a coffee date in advance of your social media detox and sit down with people outside of the digital world.
4) Journal.
There is a lot of benefits of journaling. It's therapeutic and clears the mind, to name a few benefits. So, go to the bookstore (or if you must, search out online), for your new journal in your life and start fresh on your day of digital detoxing. Write out reflections of the past year and hopes for the future ahead. Consider starting a nature journal, travel journal, or even a bullet journal, for something new.
5) Do something on your Pinterest page.
We've all done it - you pin something and you forget about it. So in honor of your digital detox, go to Pinterest and select a handful of items off your Pinterest page list that you can try out. Maybe it's a recipe. Maybe it's a craft. Whatever it is, take action and actually try what you pinned, even if you flop (hey, that’s why Pinterest fails entertain us all!).
Taking a break from social media and the digital world can remind us of areas in our life that may need our attention, whether it's relationships, exercise, creativity, or just our natural curiosity. A few times a year - if not more - it's important to unplug and get in touch with the world around us - and within us. Happy detoxing!
Nicole is a writer and blogger living in the Pacific Northwest. You can read more of her work by visiting her writing portfolio or her book and writing blog The World of My Imagination.
Katie
I myself am trying to use less social media and read more. This list is great!