Digital Detox: 3 reasons why I choose to go offline
Gadget addict? Falling asleep with your smartphone tucked under your pillow?

Digital Detox: 3 reasons why I choose to go offline

Gadget addict? Falling asleep with your smartphone tucked under your pillow? Constantly checking it even when out for coffee with your friend? How much time do you spend glued to that thing per day, 2, 3 or maybe even 5 hours?

We are spending more time than ever on our digital devices. With instant access to an almost infinite pool of information, we are flooded with it 24hrs a day, seven days a week. And that torrent of information isn’t just lurking inside your email inbox anymore. No, no… You also have LinkedIn messages, tweets, Facebook newsfeed, YouTube videos… The list goes on and on!

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Welcome to the world of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out)!

So, what is a “Digital Detox”? Thankfully, it’s not about abstaining from solid foods and living on a diet a green juice drinks alone. Instead, it is making a conscious decision to stop using digital devices including smartphones, laptops and/or tablets for a period of time.

And that is exactly what I will be doing for twelve days, starting Saturday 27th April.

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Some of you might think I have completely lost the plot, how will I even survive … Me the woman who is always connected. Especially so, given that on 3rd May it’s my 25th birthday and I won't be reachable…

When I notice that my behaviour is becoming addictive, I pull back and treat myself to a digital detox. I do this regularly because my job involves so much social media and behind-the-screen time.

In 2018 I went 4 weeks without a phone while living in an Ashram in Rishikesh. During my eight days long meditation retreat in the UK, Again, I also handed in all electronic devices, even my watch and pen and paper!

 

Common reactions to my pulling back: "What about your clients? What about if you aren't reachable and there is an emergency?" Really though? I am not a heart surgeon whose patients die if they are neglected. I work with grown-up business people and the world is still spinning when I hop back online.


So why do I do it?

Reason #1: If you are hooked, time to do something about it

As soon as I feel like I become dependent on something in my life, like I need coffee to start my day or I need to check my phone first thing in the morning, I make a drastic change. I am the one who controls what I do and what I don't. I don't want a piece of hardware, caffeine or anything else creating a sense of dependence. I don't want to be a social media addict, who can't put the phone down during dinner or listen to my friends’ conversation without checking my phone.

Our phone is such a big part of life. We are constantly using it. How often do you find yourself scrolling any given newsfeed, without any real sense of purpose?

Every notification or text message triggers the release of dopamine (neurotransmitter that drives us to seek rewards) so you keep coming back for more = ADDICTION

Reason #2: Stop comparing yourself with others – avoid that spiraling vortex

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The content I share on different social media channels is authentic. It comes from my heart.

Comparing myself to the girls on Instagram in their yoga pants with their perfect bodies, or the picture of your friend in his new fancy car on Facebook, or a colleague that just got the job promotion you wanted on LinkedIn etc. etc…

I want my social media to be inspirational. I love the exchange with other positive, ambitious people, learn about new topics and feel nurtured by ideas. But I would be lying if I were to say that I don't compare myself to others.


Lately, I gave many speeches and had two big projects running, meaning productivity high but creativity low. This means I post less content but look at others and thoughts pop up like “If I was more like her I could … “. How healthy is this reaction?

Stepping off social media for a few days helps me to reconnect with myself. I can listen to my inner voice and think about my messages that want to get out and be heard. In a nutshell, instead of feeling scattered, distracted and distant, I am committed to developing behaviours that lead me towards being fulfilled, calm and connected with myself.

Reason #3: Stop glamorizing busy-ness and get your priorities straight  

Since Apple introduced screen time on the iPhone, I was struck by a realization and something deeply confrontational. Daily, I spend two hours and fifty-two minutes on my phone, mostly social media apps. Of course, I can now go into defence mode and claim I have to because this is my job. But come on, let's be honest it's a lot of scrolling through the internet, looking at others and distracting myself from the tasks that need to be done.

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My tip: I don't have any push notifications. That means no alerts, beeps, buzzes, or notifications of any kind. Push notifications destroy my work-flow.

 

I know many people say digital detox is not the solution - for me it is.

Firstly, it's about having a balanced relationship with social media in your daily life.

What is the longest time you have ever been without your phone or laptop? Would you ever do a digital detox?

If you don't want to be as drastic as doing a digital detox, here are a few tips I do to limit my smartphone usage or combat social media addiction: 

  • Turn your screen gray: Gray-scale is a feature, which is usually built in on iOS and Android, (for visual impairment reasons) but it also makes all apps look hella boring and less pretty;
  • Switch it off: I don't mean on mute and flight-mode is still cheating. I only switch my phone on, after at least one hour after waking up and turn it off one hour before going to bed.
  • App limits: if your usage gets in the way of your productivity, use apps to limit it. Screen Time Feature on iPhones allows you to set limit for using app.
  • Out of sight, out of mind. Don't have the phone on the table during lunch, next to your laptop while you work, and also when you turn the screen down. Make it easier to resist temptation.

 

Sunny greetings from South Africa!

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Jana Kim Weser

Corporate Communication at KRÜSS

4y

Great article and thank you for being so transparent. I haven’t done a digital detox for multiple days, yet. But I’m leaving my phone somewhere out of sight for a few hours during the weekend and try to start into the day without using my phone for at least an hour in the morning (this is not always easy, especially when I need to check for appointments, etc.). But awareness is key and I would consider my social media usage quite healthy by now :)

Stephanie Moscato

Project manager Coach4Work @ASTI a.s.b.l.

5y

Great article! Enjoy your detox :)

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Thank you Franziska for sharing your thoughts and experiences. Especially your point of comparing with yourself to others - it‘s a curse and a blessing. It‘s a great read.

Manuela Pelg

🌍 Empowering Sustainability in Organizations: Cultivating Knowledge and Mindset through Strategic Communication and Impactful Events | Leading Expert in Driving Sustainable Events | Speaker | Ex-Microsoft |

5y

So true. Once you've actually managed to be completely offline for a few days, you only realize what's really important again. The point is to take this step. I noticed shortly before my Easter vacation that I really have to pull myself out completely to clear my head again. If you only start checking an email once, just take a quick look, then you'll be right back with your thoughts. From my own experience I can therefore confirm that it is really important to go offline from time to time. :-) 

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