digital detox.

Do you remember life before social media?

​I vividly remember the days when you could only have a Facebook account if you attended university and only certain universities participated. I also remember it taking hours to upload photos... I would get my computer all set up, start uploading (from my digital camera of course), go to class, and come back in hopes it worked. Quite exclusive and complicated in those beginning stages nearly 14 years ago.

Now... things revolve around social. Social media has given us things at our fingertips. It has allowed many of us to connect to people, movements and inspiration we ordinarily wouldn't find or have access to!

I love the things that social media brings into this world! I have personally been positivity impacted by the influencers and leaders I follow through social media. I also know that it can have an impact on the way we view our own experiences or actions. A gentle reminder everyone - social media captures just a snapshot of reality. We get to wear any mask we choose (thanks for the reminder Lewis Howes).

Most recently I was inspired to take a digital detox because I was feeling all consumed by social media, TV, email, and outside influences. I was out of touch with my own thoughts, my own feelings and my own experiences. I didn't do this because I think there is harm in all of these things, but I do know there is power in moderation... as with everything. 

There have been moments over the last few years that I felt pulled to take a break from social media to focus on SELF... after having babies, after the election and in moments when I felt disconnected to my purpose and truth. This time around, I wanted to take it deeper than just social media, which is why I chose to cut out digital in total. 

side note: If you know anything about me, you know that I preach about self care. This is because I teach what I need to learn most. Because when I'm feeling out of balance and not cared for, I know it starts with self care. I've seen the impact time and time again.

​What did I do? 
Took 1 week to detox. I set parameters for myself and committed to myself. This included:

• No TV
• No Social Media (I made sure to remove the apps from my phone, because... habits)
• Minimal Email (I limited this to 2-3 hours/day to address business needs)

​What did I notice? 
It took a few days to break the habit of going to my phone for things, but I quickly began to observe and notice: 

• I felt less rushed and noticed more moments of pause (yes, even with two little ones running around)
• Amidst any chaos, I felt a greater sense of ease
• More eye contact with others
• ​I was less reactionary and more responsive, just like the impact of meditation
• The extra time in the evening introduced more time for self care (as Oprah says, "Time is the greatest gift we can give ourselves" and boy do I agree)
• I felt more strategic in the decisions of my business
• When spending time with Graham and the boys, I was much more aware and... dare say it, PRESENT
• Less late night snacking (this was a big one that I didn't anticipate to come up - WIN!)

What am I going to do about it? 
This time around was so much more transformational than I expected... which means it needs to continue. So I've committed to: 

• A 1-week digital detox every 2 months (reminder set in my phone so I don't forget!)
• Removing temptation and letting my phone be in the other room... often
• Keeping self care practices in place (Graham and I have dedicated self care time on our calendar because it's priority - this has been a game changer!)
• Taking an even more holistic approach in my choices - response vs. reaction
• Keeping it all in moderation
• Setting aside time each day to devote to digital detox - my time of choice is after 9:30p everyday

So what does this all mean? I'm not here to bad talk the digital world, I ask you to notice where are you in your body, mind and spirit? What's in alignment and what's out of alignment? If things stem from your time being spent on digital, would it be so bad to step away for a moment? 

xo
Bailey