I can’t remember the last time I’ve been forced to go internet and phone-free, but it’s something I’ve actually craved for a while now.
When I was researching Heron Island, where we spent a four day break this past long weekend, it was one of the first things I noted; there was no WiFi, no phone reception and no TVs. I was excited by it, and a little bit oh-my-god-will-I-survive about it too.
I’m online a lot, because of work, but there are days when I barely go near my phone or computer because I’m hanging with the kids or busy doing something. I like being busy, and I like being curious. I wake in the mornings and I get my dose of news, and then I get a little bit of work done. I make a conscious effort each day to not let work impede on the kids’ lives. If we’re out and doing something, I try and be 100% present. I’ll snap photos, but won’t upload them until we’re home. But, there’s no denying, I’m a blogger who probably uses online more than a lot of people.
There was Internet on the island, but it came at a cost of $5 an hour, and it was satellite Internet which meant it would move at slower than a snail pace. So I had that carrot dangling in front of me the entire trip.
To be honest, I was tempted the first day. We purposely booked no activities, and just lounged around and relaxed. In the morning we took a walk down at the beach and I started to wonder: Who found the island? Who owns it now? How does one just come to claim an island? Did an Aboriginal tribe once settle there?
I asked Hubby, but like everyone his knowledge was limited. Ordinarily I’d just Google, because I like to know the information then and there, but I couldn’t. So I had to settle with not knowing, which I was a little uncomfortable with. I like my questions answered. Evidently, I’m also a little impatient.
Island life seemed to really agree with Lulu, who had a three hour nap each day. I sat in the dark room while she slept. While Lulu naps usually, is when I do an hour of power of work. It’s amazing how much work I can get done in that hour. Instead I sat quietly and waited. I wished I bought a book, or seven, because I could have plowed my way through them. I did take five magazines, but they were devoured on the first afternoon, very quickly.
By the Sunday I realised how over-stimulated my mind usually is. I’m on the go from the moment I wake until the moment I pass out, and even then my mind is racing a million miles, making it hard to fall asleep. Each morning when we woke, the Heron Times was waiting at our doorstep. It’s a little paper, printed on an A4 sheet. It had nothing from the outside world, just details of the weather, the water conditions and activities for the day. I read it back to front, like it was the real news though.
On the Sunday night, I told myself I could have the WiFi, if I wanted. So I could write my newsletter and send it out, and maybe do some online grocery shopping, ready for when we returned home.
Over lunch I noticed the people who had the WiFi. They were scrolling through their phones, and laptops. I bought a code at the Reception Desk, and then returned to put it into my phone. As soon as I did, I realised I didn’t want to venture back into that territory, and I put the phone away and gave the codes to Hubby {who funnily enough didn’t care to use them either}.
It was nice to be blissfully unaware what was going on in the world. It was nice to not have to switch from work-mode to relaxed-mode. After just a day I could feel that my body was relaxed from being on the island, and I didn’t want to end it prematurely. It was oddly nice to not have to have my questions answered immediately. And being someone who can never nap during the day, it was nice to doze one and off as Lulu slept during the day. I think it was just what I needed.
Isn’t it funny how that happens?
What a nice break! The challenge of being present in our screen filled world is fierce. I’ve stopped scrolling through Facebook during the day except for work check ins. The first few times I freaked when I saw how many notifications I had but I really wasn’t missing anything. Well done for embracing a disconnected break x
Oh yeah, I actually don’t check my notifications anymore. I just go on and do what I want with intention, then check out. Otherwise it would consume me!
Nice one. Being over stimulated is so very real. I don’t think we allow our brains to just be idle enough.
It’s so real Vicki! I think we’re so in it, we don’t realise. Do you think?
I love having a break from the net as I am on it far too often!!
I think it might be a regular thing for me now. I just need to set up the structure so work doesn’t impede on my weekend. Hopefully!
How refreshing! It’s a crazy-cool feeling. You will probably understand this feeling too, I was at an event the other day that was STRICTLY NO PHOTOS. I felt a big load off knowing that all I could do was enjoy and absorb everything because I couldn’t take any of it away with me. Even lovers need some time away {from their loves} 🙂
I smiled reading your comment, because how awesome! I look forward to one day having a holiday that isn’t a work trip – that I don’t have to think, or photography or think of sharing stuff… although I’d probably still photograph and want to blog about, but when you take away that expectation… total relaxation!
Heron is paradise, isn’t it?
Isn’t it EVER? I love it so much. When did you go?
A million years ago when I was a scientist.
There was a research station on the other side of the island from the resort. I’m sure the digs weren’t as fancy, but the island is divine!
Oh yes, the research station is still there. 🙂
A great place to be to get back to what matters in life…. all be it hard. V x
Definitely. A good reality check for me!
Where my brother lives in the NT he has no phone reception, no Internet, limited tv. We have just spent a wonderful week with him talking, walking, connecting with one another, just wonderful .
Talking? What? Ha. Isn’t that awesome? It kinda makes me sad to realise that it’s not our norm anymore. 🙁
I agree wholeheartedly and is one of the things I love about going bush camping – the forced disconnect
Perfection! I’m not sure I’ll ever completely convert to camping, but I do like that ‘back to basics’ experience.
Lovely post! I seriously spend too much time online or on my phone. I could do with going to that island and disconnecting for a while! xx
I think we should all go to an island, together. That would be fun! 😛
Hi Chantelle, I get a bit nervous about going off the grid like you… But once I am there, there is almost nothing better. My husband gets anxiety but I relish in it. We were recently on an island off the Mexican Coast and I could use my phone for snapping pics and that’s it. No email anxiety, no guilt for not immediately responding to emails. Just the ability to ‘be’. Totally in the moment and not let anything filter or distract you from your experience. Thanks for the post! Emma
I think once you realise you don’t have a choice, it’s really liberating and enjoyable. It made me be able to do nothing… and that’s actually an art now, I think!
…how wonderful that you enjoyed ‘being disconnected’ from social media for a while …..I only use the internet for fun …. but I need to watch my usage as I get ‘hooked’ on commenting and reading all the notifications……I take days off …. that way I can have a balance in my life…. Hugs… Barb xxx
I’ve started switching my mobile to airplane mode at 9 pm so that I can start unwinding before bed time. Of course as a blogger, it’s harder for us to disconnect. I’m normally quite addicted to Facebook and Instagram or the internet in general but it can all be unlearned. Just the other night I curled up in bed by 9.30 pm and did some old fashioned book reading!