Digital Detox

Dec 21, 2020

Note: Writing this a week out from Christmas, and by the looks of it, fingers crossed, looks like we might get a Covid Free summer, if we play our cards right.

Recently my colleague Corey blogged and waxed lyrically about the joys of listening to technology podcasts while out for his, almost daily, lunchtime jog around Hagley Park.

https://blog.vbridge.co.nz/running-and-podcasts/

Good for him I say, and each to their own.  He also recently completed the Kepler Challenge, which involves running 60km around the amazing Kepler Track in New Zealand’s deep south.  I think the podcasts were left at home for this one, but once again, good on him, quite an achievement.

Lake Te Anau

Well, I have just recently completed the Anti-Podcast/Jogging/Kepler Combo.  I chose to walk the Kepler over three days while lugging a backpack (slightly too heavy), and because cell coverage is rather limited/mostly non-existent , I essentially did a digital detox. (slight disclaimer, I did use the phone to snap these pics, but I think that is OK).

While it was a bit weird at first, it didn’t take long to ‘Totally Not Miss’ my phone going ding, ding, ding every 5 minutes, and not feeling the need to check my Email, messages, the news, cricket scores etc etc.  My only concerns in life were enjoying the scenery (snow inclusive), the aches and pains of carrying said backpack and the often seemingly endless hill climbs.  Oh, and the sandflies.

Heading over the Luxmore

And over the Christmas holidays, I think we all deserve a bit of a digital detox and a reset, it’s been a shitty and at times, crazy year for the global populous.  And besides, if you thought 2020 was a bit mad … we’re doing this all again in 2021!

So, here are some digital detox tips (and lets be realistic too):

If you need your devices during the day for your job, keeping in touch with family, and other social obligations, try doing a mini-detox at the end of the day. Pick a time when you want to turn off your devices, and then focus on spending an evening completely free of things like social media, messaging, online videos, and other electronic distractions.

While it isn’t always possible or even preferable to completely disconnect, setting limits on when these digital connections are allowed to intrude on your time, can be good for your mental well-being.

Iris Burns Falls

Setting boundaries on the type and timing of connections you’ll attend to, helps ensure that you can enjoy real-world activities completely free of digital diversions.

Other times when you might want to limit your digital device usage include:

  • When you are eating meals, particularly when dining with other people
  • When you are waking up or going to bed
  • When you are working on a project or hobby
  • When you are spending time with friends or family

A digital detox can be whatever you want it to be and can take many forms. You might want to try giving up all digital devices for a time, including television, mobile phones, and social media. In other cases, you might want to focus on restricting your use of just one type of digital device such as your phone or your gaming console.

But most of all, get outside, enjoy the summer weather, hopefully take a bit of time off and have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

And if you are reading this right now, put your damn device away!!  You must have something better to do surely!!

Lake Manapouri

Deano

Deano is part of vBridge's amazing infrastructure team, who are responsible for keeping the lights on, and making sure your IaaS experience is a happy and productive one.