The joy of being offline

One weekend last month we spent an amazing getaway in the Overberg. June had been a very busy month and not one of my favourites this year so far. To say I needed time in nature to recharge my batteries is an understatement.

I had my phone with but rarely spent a moment on it. I didn’t even take many photos, I hardly checked into Insta or posted - I was simply present.

There are times when a phone is like a mini laptop. Giving you access to your e-mails, social media, the latest news and of course Whatsapp. And there are times it feels like time literally disappears and I wasn’t in the mood to lose a moment to technology and stress.

Years ago we were away and after being polite to someone on Whatsapp (big mistake) I lost most of my evening to endless (and pointless) messages and back and forth in a group chat. If you have tons of time on your hands good for you. But some of us don’t and our weekends are precious.

Anyway a long weekend with zero Whatsapp and e-mail was beyond blissful. I loved every moment. I loved being present and mindful and taking everything in (with my eyes not my phone screen). I soaked up the time with hubby. We visited the De Hoop Nature Reserve. We had delicious braais. I felt truly relaxed. I even finished reading a book.

I’m completely over being available all the time. Quite frankly the more readily available you are for everything the more the expectation just grows. Not the appreciation - if anything it is just the opposite. I’ve found the gratitude received these days (when you are dipping into your own time) to be very minimal.

What about you? Do you find it easy or difficult to switch off? Any tips you’d like to share?

xx