Free Cozy Business Task Tracker

Organize your daily, weekly, monthly tasks

GET THE TRACKER

Tips For Getting Offline and Getting Real

by | May 26, 2014 | Cozy Business | 8 comments

Computer break

I recently realised how addicted to being connected I am.

Since doing the Clifton Strengths Finder test, I’ve definitely been more aware of my connector personality, but the influence of social media and the Internet hadn’t really occurred to me.

I’m contactable by anyone in my network, pretty much any time of the day or night (even if I’m asleep, their email or Facebook message is one of the first things I’ll see when I wake up in the morning).

Do you feel like that too?

We sometimes get so caught up in ‘being connected’ that we think that means being available and being online ALL. THE. TIME.

And whilst I truly believe in the power of the Internet and the importance of social media in our global community, I also think that we need to have the self control and self respect to say no sometimes. To go radio silent. To switch off and step away.

To have some real life interactions and forget – even just for a little while – that social media even exists.

I have no plans to have an Internet detox (I’m not insane), but I do have some ideas that I’d like to try out just to remind myself that Facebook is not the be all and end all, that not every life experience requires Instagramming, and that people don’t truly expect an email back as soon as they send one.

[divider style=’double’ mb=’25’]

:: Jennie from Creating a Colourful Life recently did a 30-day social media detox as part of her 30 Things in 30 Days challenge. Can you imagine no online socialising for a whole month?

My biggest concern is how little I believe that this is even something I could do (which makes me think I probably really need to do it)

 

:: I’d like to try not checking ANYTHING until lunch time.

What if I could get up, have breakfast, go to the gym, shower, and get started with my day long before ‘connecting’ with the online world?

 

:: Getting offline and going out in the afternoons.

I spend a lot of time sitting at the computer and I’d like to set a predetermined amount of time for Internetting and writing and then GET OFF the computer.

This might mean going to the nearby park, a long walk, a coffee break, or finding something to do that isn’t online. Just getting out of the house and disconnecting for a while each day.

 

:: Making connections in real life (or IRL for those who speak maybe a little too much time online)

I’ve been thinking about this one a lot lately. I love Facebook and Twitter and Skype for making connections and keeping in touch with people but nothing really makes up for the real thing.

I know that I’m not alone in thinking this, it can get pretty lonely sitting at your computer, writing and socialising, but not really having that same vibe as the real life stuff. You put stuff out there, and hope to get a response, you connect with someone and have to wait four hours before you can continue the conversation.

There’s something not quite natural about that.

So with all the different things I’m going to try out to disconnect and find a way to have an online/offline balance (quite similar to a work/life balance), I decided to host a catch up for bloggers and online business owners to meet face-to-face and try this offline connection stuff too.

It will be in Sydney at the end of June and I thought, while I’m talking about it, I’d put it out there for anyone reading who needs some in person time with others who have similar interests and online addictions.

Want to get offline for a bit?

WIN

Be the first to get the details (and feel free to forward this to anyone else you think would be interested):

 http://eepurl.com/UXZkr

 

Tell me, do you sometimes feel like you spend too much time online? Do you have any tips for me, because I’m determined to bring back the balance!

 

[ninja-inline id=717]

JOIN THE NEW COMMUNITY CREATOR HUB!

Comments

8 Comments

  1. Kimberley Smith

    Darn, Disqus just deleted my comment! Anyway, it was something along the lines of us being totally on the same page about this whole connectedness 24/7 thing (as we talked a lot about it when we caught up IRL) and I love your ideas. I can’t wait to see how it goes, and you CAN do this hun, I believe in you! 😉 xx

    Reply
    • Katherine - The Beauty Of Life

      Oh, you! I’m so glad we got to meet IRL after so many years of talking online. I think this post was probably prompted by our conversation!

      Reply
  2. Glenda Bishop

    Totally get what you’re talking about Katherine. I now try to have most Sundays away from the computer and social media, which also means not checking emails or social media on my phone. Clearly I’m not succeeding today (being a Sunday), but I plan to switch off in a few minutes and spend the rest of the day offline.

    Reply
    • Katherine - The Beauty Of Life

      Oh I hear you, Glenda! Even after writing this post, I have really struggled to give myself some offline space. Thanks for stopping by x

      Reply
  3. ashleighsmeow

    I hear you! I lost my smart phone in the sea in Thailand a month ago, and I think it was a blessing! Since then I have gone back to an old school phone, I spend time READING a book on the bus to work instead of scrolling the internet, I set aside nights for blogging and check my non work email and facebook twice a day instead of constant checking of my smart phone to see what has happened. It’s liberating, and nothing bad has happened since I have made myself more ‘unavailable’ !

    Reply
    • Katherine - The Beauty Of Life

      Oh wow, Ashleigh, I’m feeling a bit envious right now. I think it’s become such a habit to constantly have our phones in our hand and I love that you’ve been involuntarily removed from this! I hope that it continues for you (and am half thinking of ‘losing’ my phone as well!)

      Reply
      • ashleighsmeow

        Turn it off! You will have so much more time! And you wont miss out on anything!

        Reply
        • Katherine - The Beauty Of Life

          I’m going to. My best friend who lives in Brisbane won’t be impressed but maybe just for the weekend 😉

          Reply

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. What Happens When You Put Yourself Out There | The Beauty Of LifeThe Beauty Of Life - […] me personally, in an attempt to combat that, I decided it was time to get out from behind my…

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts