Digital detox

It’s been a couple of weeks since I posted last.

Don’t worry. I’m still alive.

I just returned from a two week trip to the Croatian island of Krk and the Istrian peninsula.

On the drive there, I heard my phone buzz it’s typical I’m out of juice buzz.

That’s when I decided fuck it, threw the thing in a far corner of our glove compartment and left it there untouched until last Sunday.

I only checked my work email on Monday morning.

Two full weeks without any internet, or mobile reach whatsoever. It was probably 2006 when that last happened.

Typically, when I’m not occupied (say by driving or sleeping or so) I check my email regularly. Maybe every hour?

Always.

I’m a bit of a control freak, and I get very nervous when the inbox isn’t zero.

(stop sending me emails)

It’s unhealthy, and above all; unnecessary.

This trip I decided enough is enough. I had to quit, and cold turkey was the only way.

There were weird ticks the first few days, like reaching into empty pockets every few minutes… But in the end it got better.

It was pretty good to be, like really be present, with the family. I read four books in the time I usually check email or scroll Twitter. I highly recommend!

(I should have brought my camera, as no phone also meant no pictures, the only disadvantage I can come up with, and one that is easy to solve)

Towards the end, there were feelings of guilt, and my anxiety was building, and reaching levels I hadn’t seen in years. But as they say; feel the fear and do it anyway.

So that’s my new way forward:

No more emails outside office hours.

After I post this one, the phone goes in flight mode and will only serve as my alarm for tomorrow.

Digital detox. I think we all need it!