Disconnect

We log out, take hiatuses, delete accounts, delete apps...Log back on, sign back in, reactivate accounts, download apps..etc. It’s a vicious cycle of repetition. Like an echo, you throw it out there and it comes back in resounding waves.

We don’t necessarily want to receive it, but it’s surrounding us in every aspect of our modern day lives. We have no choice but to welcome it. It’s in our face at work, at home, in the bedroom and yes, the bathroom too. There’s no escaping it unless you choose to disconnect, or go off the grid.

Consider filtering out the things in your life that may be tying you down or bringing you down, ultimately suffocating you.

In November of 2017 we purchased a 1979 Niagra 26’ sailboat. It spent 6 months in our driveway and during that time we slowly worked on it to make it ready for our family to board. We set out for little day trips in the harbour and realized just how much we loved the freedom of being disconnected from the shore. No distractions, just connections.

It was no easy decision, but it was one my husband and I made with the intent to pull our family back into the realm of reality.

*Insert drumroll please*

We decided to cancel the Wifi in our home for one year. Yikes!

Now here was the tricky part. My children do not have phone plans so of course, they needed WiFi to connect online, or as my son would say, “to survive!” Well my dear boy, there’s no turning back now!

Let me start with what we noticed right out the front door. As with any type of withdrawal, the first few weeks were the most challenging. We took notice of these 5 traits:

1. Irritability

2. Boredom

3. Anger

4. Guilt

5. Disassociation

Now don’t get me wrong. We still had access to the internet outside our four walls, but only when we made the plan to do so. If the kids needed to do their homework, off to the library we went. Sleepovers consisted of gearing up their gadgets to take with them. Trips out to malls and restaurants of course had Wifi free zones. Everything is so easily accessible if need be. Over time, we started to see a profound shift. We were slowly breaking free of our wired trance. I’m not even kidding you, everything seemed heightened.

Energy levels soared

Focus resumed

Creativity emerged

Patience resurfaced

Reattachment prevailed

This was exactly what we were hoping for. Not only that, but the relationship with my husband flourished. We communicated better, listened closer and had so much more free time to put our marriage first.

Another bonus...Outings with the family became more frequent, game nights more competitive, family dinners more involved, and movie nights (rented from the library) more cozy. This all just happened so naturally with time. The results were outstanding. We were laughing more and scrolling less. I was so proud!

What if we could all just take some time to reconnect with our loved ones that are right in front of us but seem so far away. What a brilliant way to teach our children the greatness that’s inside them, and the beauty that’s all around them, that sometimes gets lost in the online blur.

Less scrolling equates to more living. Seize the day!

Sidenote: Of course it doesn't have to be an entire year, but I highly recommend unplugging yourself for a little bit.

Bonus Sidenote: Not many of our friends or family thought we could actually commit to an entire year of no internet connection. I’ll tell you one thing...It feels great to go above and beyond people's expectations. Glory Days!

So...You Gotta Get Out of Your Pajamas Girl!