Some of you may recall a commitment that I made about eighteen months ago about having internet free Sundays. I did it for a while and then, well I slipped back into the smart phone oblivion of checking social media, emails and googling. A few weeks ago I subconsciously put the phone away for most of the day on Sundays, having a little sneaky peek every so often, but generally it was out of sight. I was obviously missing that break. Then last weekend, Guillaume suggested that we should make an internet free Sunday commitment together. He didn’t join me previously so I didn’t hesitate to say hell YES! I felt I needed it again, I felt we needed it as a family and our kids needed to see their parents without that iPhone in hand for a good chunk of time.
Yesterday I completed my second Sunday free of internet and it feels so good! That break from the screen one day a week is just enough to revive the senses and allows me to be more present. It also happens to fall on the day that Guillaume and I get a neighbour to babysit our kids for a couple of hours on a Sunday morning while we do a good walk and finish chilling out at a café. This time though, rather than picking up our smartphones to read the news, we picked up magazines. Next week I think we’ll pack our novels. How often do you see people in the café these days reading novels? I don’t know where you live, but certainly not a lot around here. This is something that I once did so often and I intend to be that person again.
So what exactly are the rules for my internet free Sunday? I choose to simply not pick up my phone to check the net, social media, emails or apps. If I were to use it, it would simply be for a phone call or text. My laptop stays shut all day too. It’s a day for me to simply unwind, do some old fashioned reading and connect with those around me. No doubt this simple day will breed more contentment and creativity into my life.
If you feel like you’re a little overloaded with social media and the screen, why not give it a go. It’s actually not as hard as you imagine, just arm yourself with some magazines, a good book and breath!
I’d love to hear if you do something like this in your life already? Or perhaps not yet. Does the thought of a break for a day scare you or fill you with excitement?
Mel xx
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I tried a similar sort of thing a year or two ago and imposed a ban on social media for myself after 9pm in the evenings, but it didn’t last very long! It’s so easy to slip back into bad habits isn’t it, but seems to make such a difference to have some downtime for the mind from technology. Mel, you have inspired me to give it a go again! I’ll keep you posted ;) x
It’s always up and down. I’m the same and this is my second attempt. I have to say that I have had a few sneaky peeks on social media. It’s a constant battle but I feel GREAT when I have a day from it. The after 9pm is a good one too, nothing worse than taking it to bed which I’m guilty of. My problem is that I have a lot of people that I interact with in Europe and that’s your morning time… It’s great that we’re aware of it though. Good luck lovely xx
Your post made me realize that I never did that – never dropped the phone or computer for a day, let alone a whole week-end! We just had a discussion a few days ago with hubby who thought I was way too much on social media: it was interesting and shocking for me to hear him say that because I feel so frustrated about my virtual presence. I would like to read more, write more, share more while I spend my days running all over the place with obligations of all kinds that crush my energy (again, frustration is the right word here, in my humble opinion)… Not sure now this is all linked to natural curiosity… I am more afraid it is some kind of unhealthy habit settling in. Food for thought in any case, and that cannot be bad, right?!
It is SO hard to keep up with social media Donatina. I feel like I need to spend my life on it to keep up with it and make it to the top.. I figure if you dedicate some time to it 2-3 times a day, with a day off from all of it, it’s healthy right? Little by little. xx
I used to be terrible at that, answering client emails, working or even skyping with clients on weekends. This generated a lot of frustration both for my family because I always had my nose on the phone/computer, and for me because I felt I was being disturbed all the time. Over the last months I have been slowly getting better at this. I still look at my phone, but I have spent a few weekends without opening the laptop, or at least not for work. Crossing the line is so easy, especially since I love my work and get completely excited by it. But by deciding to dedicate this time to my family I am actually less frustrated for not being able to complete things.
It’s true. I think that when you love what you do, you can happily do it day and night. Eventually it catches up on you though… Unless I’m working to deadline, I try to keep the computer shut Saturday too and just a little social media. It’s nice giving myself that day. Good on you Corinne x
I so understand you. I had cut back my online presence quite a bit already a while ago, have been more present again with the relaunch of the blog and will try to spend again more time away from the screen. Lately we play cards when we go to a café. Turns out to be the best ‘no brain time’ at all :) Sending a hug, Mel!! xx
I love the idea of playing cards. Such a European thing to do. When I lived in France we were always playing card games… For me it’s the novel that I crave and rarely pick up because of this instantaneous mindset we’re slipping in to. Hugs to you lovely x