Okay. I have a confession to make. I am addicted to social media. I never thought that I could be addicted, until our vacation to Colorado Springs last month.
It started on our way to the airport, which is a whooping 10 minute trip. I had just updated my Facebook status- like we do- and set my phone down next me on the back seat. A minute later, we arrived at our drop off point and hoped out to put the baby in her ring sling while Nick grabbed the luggage. Our friend Tiffany- who was nice enough to drive us and take care of the dog while we were gone- quickly handed me the sweater I had forgotten in back seat and we were off.
It wasn’t until we were in the security line that Nick asked me about my phone.
I panicked!!!
What do I do without my phone? No Facebook?!? No Instagram?!? No text messaging?!? But how will all my friends know what I’m doing? What if I have to take a long potty break? How will I ever survive?!?!
Then I realized, I went 16 years without text messages and 22 years without social media. I could totally last 10 days without it now!
And you know what? I did…and it was FABULOUS!
For the first time in years, I had a real vacation! I actually relaxed and enjoyed time with my family. No worrying about what my friends are doing or eating. No posting pictures to a timeline. I lived in the moment, and not having my phone made me pick up my camera and think about the images I was capturing. It was so refreshing!
By the end of the vacation, I was almost dreading having my phone back. All those messages and notifications…eek!
We’ve been home for a month now and I still notice a change. I’m on my phone less, I can put it down easier and I don’t flip out if I leave it in another room. In fact, I am now scheduling “unplugged” weekends at least every other month (and on holidays). No phones, just my little family spending time together and living in the moment.
What do you think would happen if you unplugged for a weekend?
I dare you to give your phones, computers, and tablets a weekend off! In fact, I double dog dare you to do it and tell how it goes! .
Amy Clark Creative Blog 