A couple of weeks ago we went away to stay in a cabin that didn’t have cell service, internet access, television, or anything else related to some kind of electronic device (unless of course you count the radio we had to crank every so often to get it to go).
To say I was scared to do it was an understatement. I’ve come to rely on this computer of mine and the world wide web for many many things. Not to mention my small addiction to Regis & Kelly and my other favorite programs on TV. How would I survive I wondered? What would I do? Wouldn’t I be bored I’d ask myself.
The truth of it is, I wasn’t bored and not only did I survive but I thrived and here are just some of the reasons why.
- I realized the twitching doesn’t last as long as I thought it would.
- My first waking thought in the morning didn’t revolve around running to the computer to check my email.
- I had time to daydream.
- I had time to talk to those around me for no specific reason other than to just talk.
- I had time to take walks and really enjoy the beautiful nature without running a to-do list in my head.
- It was a great ego adjustment when I realized the world didn’t fall apart in my absence and Regis & Kelly didn’t even miss me (imagine!).
- I got caught up on much needed sleep.
- I read more books/magazines in a week than I’ve done in the past 6 months.
- I had time to just lounge around playing board games with the kids without the phone interrupting us.
- Allowed me the opportunity to recognize and realign my priorities.
- I was really able to focus in on what my kids were saying to me without distraction.
- My time didn’t “get away” from me quite so easily.
- Reminded me of what life was like before I started blogging.
- My kids really do want me present no matter how much they resist at first.
- I had time to just be still….something I definitely don’t do enough of.
So while I think it would be silly to ever give up on technology all together, it certainly was a nice break to separate myself from it for awhile and clear my head. I highly recommend it!
As you are reading this (and if auto post works for me) I am taking another technology holiday this week as the kid’s and I attend church kid’s camp. Something tells me this trip won’t be quite so relaxing though 🙂
Kim says
There is something about going to a remote place that forces you to relax. I’m glad you were able to treasure those moments.
Blessings,
Kim
Vanderbilt Wife says
A technology holiday sounds really wonderful. I hate how antsy I get if I can’t check my e-mail for a couple hours. It’s crazy!
Organising Queen says
I know exactly what you mean. I had the same thoughts when we went on holiday for 3 WEEKS!
After the first 2 days, you couldn’t care less who emailed you! 🙂
Enjoy your church camp!
Marcia from Organising Queen
Tanna says
It is so nice to get away every once in a while. I was also surprised that the twitching did subside rather quickly. It’s amazing how quickly time flies when you are having fun though.
Laurieann says
I love a good tech-holiday! Hope you had a good time on the kids camp one too!
Rachel says
Ahhh – you mean the world around me won’t fall apart if I don’t check google reader every day………You are right though, once you are away you find you don’t even miss it…….well not really 🙂
Jamie says
It’s nice to be unplugged for a while, isn’t it? Enjoy!
Organizing Mommy says
I did the same technology holiday this summer. Very encouraging.
Eden says
Hmmm…I think it would be totally fun to have no technology for about a week.
Thea @ I'm a Drama M says
I’ve taken tech-holidays, too, and they are quite, QUITE refreshing!!
amy says
need to do it!!!!!! hmmm…possible??? i know when thhe power went out around here the library was packed because of people wanting to get on the internet..(oh and the air conditioning lOL)
Laura says
What a beautiful, sensible post. One of these days I’ll be brave and switch the laptop off while I’m sleeping …
irkregent says
Nice post. We recently went camping with friends and experienced something close. (While there was mobile phone service there, we chose to keep the phones off.) I enjoyed so much the time we spent just talking with friends, with no time pressures. Even the few times we sat with them around the fire in silence was refreshing to our souls. I really need to do that more often than once a summer.
MJ says
Every time I am forced to do this, it’s such a rewarding experience! Perhaps we should do it on a more regular basis!
Jeannie says
I know where you are coming from! Each weekend we go up to the lake house to work….I don’t have TV/Cable or internet! We do have a TV that is hooked up to a DVD player so we will pop a movie in after we are done working for the day! I do miss looking things up when something is questioned (because it’s just that easy) but it’s just nice and relaxing to just “BE”! =) Once we move up to the lake at the end of Sept. we will have cable and internet! I couldn’t live without it!!! At all!!! We do plan to still have “OUR” time! Riding bikes along the lake, gazing at the wonderful view….because it is a wonderful view and sitting back and enjoying the later afternoon breeze…because it only comes in the late afternoon! Texas is HOT!!!! =)
Great post! I’m here from the contest….looking around! =)
stacy t says
i had to comment on your regis & kelly addiction. hubby went to see billy joel in NYC (that’s where we live) and who does he sit in FRONT of?? kelly. he sent me a text and i told him to tell her hi from me … he leaned back to show her the text and she texted me back on his phone. so funny! of course, i’m in maine picking up dog poo at our lake house. haha but we have interent access. i’m not as brave as you are!! plus i’m taking a photography class online. had to have access. be well.
Barb says
A complete break from technology is the most relaxing break in the world. I can’t imagine living without technology, but it’s amazing how much of our time it consumes. Have fun at camp!
jenn says
i regularly take days off from the computer and the t.v. and i am always happy when i do but my sweetie is always so plugged in! i really wish i could convince him to take a techy break – i would love the face to face time instead of the profile view i usually get.
Page says
Yes, we just went on an Alaskan cruise and didn’t use our cell phones since we weren’t exactly sure what the coverage was like. Also no internet b/c we didn’t want to pay a ridiculous amount of money to get it. It was nice. I liked not having to carry my cell around and check it when I was away to see if anybody called. Ours wasn’t quite as relaxing as yours sounded b/c of the ages of our kids, but definitely a nice break from the everyday world. Thanks for sharing. Hope you’re having fun at camp.
Rachel says
That’s great – and how refreshing to remember what life was like without all the electronic things that seem so important when they run our lives.
Margaret says
Sounds wonderful! Sometimes we get so used to all the stimulation, we forget what it’s like to relax! Glad you enjoyed.
Lisa@Take90West says
I unplugged from the computer for the month of June and almost all of July…it was wonderful! And imagine…the blog world was still here when I got back!
Heavenly Homemaker says
Ah, sounds nice. My computer didn’t work for two days this week, and even though I thought I’d surely lose my mind (and yes, that the world around me might stop spinning)…I made it through just fine…and got SO MUCH other stuff done! A break every now and then sounds good! Hope your week at camp is a great one!
lylah ledner says
isn’t rest and sabbath so wonderful? you go girl!
Elaine says
We’ll be doing something similar this fall though maybe not as drastic and we won’t be going to a remote cabin, we’ll just do it here in our home as we go about life and learn that there is more to being a family than having a box entertain us.