Digital Detox - My digital diet

It's been a while since my last post and it hurts to allow such a riveting blog to become digitally stale; this is all as a result of my digital detox, which unfolded during my summer in Europe.

Spending a summer in Europe you can expect a few things, a good tan, sore feet from all the shopping and to return home being a little heavier no thanks to the fabulous food. One thing I didn't expect is how much I would enjoy my digital diet.

The Reasoning
Having data roaming switched off on my phone, meant it performed little better than our phones did in the 90s. No internet access (unless at the hotel), no sharing on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube, most apps provided little help, if any, and if you think this isn't hard, I urge you to try it, even for a week!

Though I thought my digital experience was being hindered, it wasn't until a week into it somewhere in the south of Spain when I let go and unequivocally accepted that there was no reason I actually needed the internet and not only was my digital experience not being hindered, but enhanced!

Late every evening I'd return to my hotel - if wifi was available - I would get my digest of social media, football scores, news and current events from back home; I would even occasionally sneak a look at the TV guide at home, just to see if it was worth remotely recording anything. Basically I would spend 10-15 mins enjoying the internet and modern technology at its best. It felt great knowing that our time together would be short and sweet and on some days, non-existent.

There were no scenarios where someone in the group could ruin a perfectly good argument/discussion by saying 'You're wrong (I think), let's check Google', which I always hated; no one rudely on Facebook while you were talking to them; no one 'checking-in' to the restaurant; it was simple and we all loved it.

The Diet
So after returning home I thought, how great was that! How could I use this experience to curb my enthusiasm for the digital world and use it more as a privilege as opposed to a human right.

So, from the day I returned, here are a few things I changed to better my life and have never looked back:

• if in a conversation/meeting, never reach for your device unless it is relevant to do so, or without excusing yourself
• do not respond to an email while driving, you never get a chance to proof read it and a good response is better than a quick response in most scenarios
• limit your use of the internet to designated periods of time, preferably when you are not with friends and/or family
• don't trade time with loved ones for Facebook et al
• don't use your device as a morning alarm, buy a $5 alarm clock instead
• purposely 'forget' your phone/device at home every now and again, it's liberating once you actually let go
• switch your phone OFF at night, it'll do it and you good
• if you use your device in the toilet, be sure to wipe it with a little sanitiser once you're done (16% of mobile phone users have traces of fecal matter on them*)
• don't judge someone based on the phone, tablet or laptop they have
• mute your phone or have it set to vibrate when at work
• finally, under no circumstances are you to attempt to prove someone wrong by 'Googeling it'!

I honestly do hope you try this diet (to some degree) and you start using the digital realm as it was meant to be used, to enhance life, not run it!

THE MORAL:
MOBILE DEVICES AND INTERNET ARE A PRIVILEGE NOT A RIGHT. IF YOU DON'T HAVE SERVICE FOR A LITTLE WHILE, YOU WILL LIVE!



* Phone etiquette study conducted by the Online College http://www.onlinecollege.org/