I had this post planned for Friday… A challenge. A challenge for me and a challenge for anyone who wishes to join me. Something that I touched on when I guest posted for Elodie last year, yet I have to say that I’ve failed miserably on these past months.
Friday actually got away on me and I didn’t end up writing the post but for a very good reason – I was out to lunch with a fellow blogger Claudia from DesignClaud and her partner Bas, who were visiting Auckland. The two of them are from The Netherlands and have been doing the most incredible travels for almost two years, all of which you can read about on her beautiful blog. They’re in their final weeks now and I’m so glad that they made it to Auckland so that we could meet in person. We shared a nice lunch and then hit some of my favourite shops, unfortunately time got away on us pretty quickly and we didn’t manage to see everything. I know that Claudia will post about our afternoon together soon so make sure you keep an eye out for that.
Now back to the challenge… When I decided to post this on Monday, I have to admit I was secretly happy and thought that I’d have one more Sunday before I began the Internet free day challenge. Sounds like an addiction doesn’t it? Actually deciding to not open an email, check Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter, not to check the news, not even a teeny tiny peak on a regular day requires a good degree of control. But then I realised that I was cheating myself and decided to go for it and then I could actually report back on this definite lifestyle shift of mine for one day in the week.
The result? On Sunday evening when my husband asked me how I felt, I noted that it was like I’d been on a short holiday. I felt refreshed and recharged. I fell asleep easily last night and slept really well. This morning when I picked up my iPhone to load the emails and check the social media channels, I was imagining how much I would have missed out on, but actually nothing much had happened at all. Gasp!
I will continue with this little shift and I’m making it public so that I can hold myself accountable. I have nothing against the Internet or Social Media. Actually I relish it and it’s my work. I also find so much inspiration and knowledge through this channel, not to mention the wonderful connections with people, but one day a week free from it will no doubt do my soul, my creativity and my family life some real good.
So here are the rules I’ve paved out myself for Sundays:
- I can use the iPhone for telephone and taking photos but nothing Internet related – no apps, no Instagram, no Facebook, no Twitter, no Pinterest, no email, no surfing the net.
- The same goes for my MacBook and iPad – nothing Internet related other than a Skype call. I will also really try to avoid any use of this however if it’s for editing family photos and the like, I figure that’s okay. I will also opt to read from real books and magazines on this day as apposed to digital forms.
Of course, the only exception will be if I’m attending an event on a Sunday that requires social media.
So if you do see me commenting online (which I promise you won’t), feel free to pull me up. Of course, take into consideration the timezone and that I’m in Auckland and Monday for me can be Sunday for others!
I love it if any of you care or dare to join me. Perhaps you’re already doing something like this or know of someone?
You can follow along or join in on my Internet Free Sunday journey on social media with the hashtag #InternetFreeSundays but not on Sunday of course!
Mel xx
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Hi Mel,
it`s a great challange and a very important for the family time :).
The time goes so quickly. I really enjoy your lovely blog.
Lovely greetings and a nice start into the new week…
Michaela from the actually byw e-course
Hi Michaela. It really is true and I love my Sundays so much. Thanks so much for stopping by and lovely to meet you:) M xx
Well done Mel – I really applaud you for this and you’ve inspired me to think hard about doing the same. I was really interested to hear how well you felt physically and mentally after your first internet-free Sunday. That says it all and I’m sure your health and family will benefit hugely from it. Good for you. x x
Do you know, after 3 Sundays doing this I find it incredibly easy to do and I actually looked forward to it. I hope you do! M xx
Hi Mel
A great challenge, I have to confess that I am a bit of an addict too, mainly to instagram and pinterest, but a whole day of no social media could be tricky, as I have to make the most of any free time I get as I have a 15 month old baby. However, I am trying to make a concerted effort not to keep checking social media when my children are around, which is a step in the right direction at least. Good luck with your challenge.
Emma x
That is a step in the right direction Emma so good on you for being aware! I know how crazy it is with a 15 mth old, we just have to do what we can in those early days. M x
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I don’t post anything on Sundays on fb, twitter or the blog but I am on IG, I have to admit which is my little addiction. I work many times on Sundays when traveling during the week did not allow me to, that’s why I can’t join the challenge and do need to be connected sometimes. But I have definitely already cut back my online presence and spend less time. You gain so much time for other things! Congratulations on your decision, Mel! xx
I know, I remember last Sunday I couldn’t believe how much time I had. Thanks Gudy, hope you’re enjoying Milan xx
This is a great challenge, Mel! I totally understand the mind discipline it requires. I once went eight months with no social media as a mindfulness practice and I honestly felt so much more in touch with mySELF. Today, I practice my practice which is a routine I do every morning to center myself so I can begin the day peacefully but I do love the idea of one day with no social media, news, or correspondence. It seems like a nice mini cleanse from the outside world :) Thank you for sharing your experience! Happy weekend xx
Wow eight months without is very impressive Jocelyn! I hope to learn more about what you do each morning to centre yourself, sounds like a great idea. Happy weekend too Jocelyn xx
Saw you and Claudia met and looks like you two beautiful ladies had the greatest time! Excellent challenge Mel and sounds like you’ve already succeeded. Ohh I know that feeling and I’m regular on an “unplugged” vacation. To get inspired and regain fresh ideas I need these small getaways from the online whirlwind of social networking. Happy weekend and a #InternetFreeSunday to you Mel, heaps of hugs!
Thanks Mette, yes it was so great to meet up with Claudia. Oh I remember that you’re so good at doing this and that is probably one of the reasons you come up with so many wonderful creative goodies for us. Happy weekend! Mel xx
Good idea! Very funny that you created a hashtag for it, though. (I know, not to be used on sundays. still!) When I go to my families country house I don’t have internet access there and I usually leave my phone in the house and spend the day outside in the garden. And yes, it feels very good to be offline an entire day from time to time!
Ha ha I was waiting for a comment on the hashtag.. so thanks;-) Well actually, it will be used to sign off and perhaps talk about what I /others did on the internet free day. The other days I’ll most certainly be online and on the social network channels… M x
this is a great idea Mel – I need to do this too but Sunday afternoons/early evenings is ‘chill out’ time for me which always means jumping online…after that I do my ironing in front of the TV…ha!
Well you could always choose your own day… Regular ironing, you’re so good – I wish I could do that, I always iron before I wear;-) xx
Will do.
It is very sad. Not long ago we were sat here all quiet in the same room on 3 different screens.. don’t like it much. Also find a huge difference moving here. I still feel a bit out of place after hiding away in the countryside for so long. It’s like the world moved on without us.. We’re just catching up now. ha ha xxx (still not on instagram)
Well keep a little of that French countryside joie de vivre… life’s too short but do get on Instagram, it’s a lovely platform! xx
I like that idea a lot and will try to join you.
There are def too many screens involved these days.
Still find it strange that people use their phones so much
even in pubs and restaurants.. they’re not at all present.
hx
Oh great! Keep us up to date with how you’re going… Remember when we went to the cafe and grabbed a magazine or the paper to read, now it’s usually the iPhone. Sad. xx
Hi Mel. A fab idea and one that is so important.
I’m slightly apprehensive about me doing an ‘internetfree’ day. It sounds like going on a diet which I’m not a fan of. What I am a fan of is to be mindful and pull back as a when I need to. Lately I have been cutting down on Social Media and thoroughly enjoying it. There’s nothing like being in the moment and reading offline:-))
So good Luck and let us know of your progress.
Happy new week xx
It’s a good point and I’m not fan of diets either… But really for me, I think it will be good to have a dedicated amount of time to switch off and go back to simple ways.. I felt even if I was reading on the couch or in the sun, I still felt the need to check things online quickly… Good to know that you’re having some time out from it too. M xx
Morning Mel, A great idea and something that is vital in our hectic world, time to reconnect and be present with the real world. Too often I find myself not really living in the moment but planning the future or living in some alternate plain via the internet [Pinterest was a real addiction for me]. Through my yoga training and also listening to on-line lectures by Eckhart Tolle [my favourite are his podcasts with Oprah on her Spirit iTunes channel] I’m learning about being present and really enjoying the moment – so important particularly when we have kids. So my internet free time is dispersed throughout the week, it might be an evening in with Matt when we both switch off, or precious time after I’ve picked Noah up from school. A great reminder for all of us, thank you xx
Hi Amy. So glad you’re doing this in some form! I actually read Eckhart Tolle’s book, is it “new world” or something. I might actually get back to it again, I think I wasn’t ready for it all those years ago. Thanks for the encouragement. M xx
Yes, it’s probably best to start with The Power of Now which is a good grounding in his ideas, but the Oprah podcasts discuss A New Earth and have some really great ideas and questions from people around the world – fascinating x
I’ll give it a go – I’ve never done pod casts before! How backward is that? xx
Funny, I was thinking about this yesterday. Great challenge. I accept!
Would love to catch up, maybe after the holidays….
Best, Tina
Great! We’re going to be new women Tina:) Don’t forget to #internetfreesundays with what you did or will do (but not on Sunday!!) Love to catch up after holidays. Mel xx
What great idea…something I have been meaning to do as well…for a very long time. I too, am going to attempt to join your #internetfreesunday challenge. Good Luck mel- and thanks for prompting me to do the same! Kyliex
Oh I hope you do Kylie. I think we’ll all be so much for the better for doing it. xx
This sounds like such a great idea – I may try it as well. We all need a break from the internet, and I’m so guilty of spending hours… Perhaps a class on balancing our time! I can’t wait to see what you two were up to in Auckland. Have a great week.
Oh you should Cyndi! It’s going to be interesting in a couple of months how we all feel. Have a great week also:) M x