Excerpts from Paul Jarvis’ commentary titled Why You Should Take A Social Media Sabbatical:
One of my clients told me that social media sabbaticals are the new treks through Nepal. Taking a social media sabbatical is trendy, takes some courage, and for most westerners, it’s outside the realm of possibility. But (thankfully for me), it doesn’t require as much physical fitness as a hiking the Himalayas…
When all the small gaps in our days are filled with refreshing or sharing, there’s no room left to just sit and breathe and let whatever thoughts that want to happen… just happen. There are more ideas—not fewer—when you remove noise…
There is no longer space in our lives. We can’t wait in line without getting on our phones. Or sit on a bus. Or eat. Or wake up. Or wait for an elevator. Or watch a sunset…
Extra, dangling seconds force most of us to reach for our pockets and pull out our tiny computers that connect to the Internet. We must scroll and react to whatever shows up on our screen, as if by some neurological impulse.
I’ve spent the last two months on a break from social. No tweets, no instas—nothing. I went an extra step and stopped sending newsletters or doing interviews, as well…
I went from a few hours a day on social to none.
And it was quiet.
Almost eerily quiet.
Photo: Sight-Management
Hard to take a sabbatical when you’re a directory of marketing and technology. Sigh…
Dream job!
Reblogged this on Writing Out Loud and commented:
What to do on a snow day
Yes. Thanks for sharing Robert.
First thought… Blasphemy. Second thought….Hey, that really does sound like a good idea. Third thought… Maybe everyone would think I died and they would post about what a nice guy I was, or was not and I could read it later?
Laughing. My thoughts revolving in a loop similarly.
Just back from a 1 month break from blogging (but not all social) – it was hard but definitely a vacation. Yes almost eerily quiet.
Good for you!
An inspiring and challenging suggestion…”there’s no room left to just sit and breathe and let whatever thoughts that want to happen… just happen.” Breathing room sounds like all I need right now… thank you for your post!
My pleasure. It spoke to me also!
For the last week, I’ve been turning off my mobile and computer by 6 pm at the latest. As a consequence, supper has been earlier and Mister has been happier 🙂 Next week, I’m going to ban myself from turning on my mobile when I first get out of bed. I’d thought of not having it in the room, but then how could I ring the police if a burglar was creeping around downstairs? Hee, hee, hee. Probably resort to the old vase over the head treatment and end up getting arrested myself! But seriously, there are some most serious cases of addiction to these gadgets, resulting in admissions to clinics also dealing with drink, drugs, and sex addictions. I guess if you have an addictive personality, you’re going to get addicted to something. As for a total sabbatical, I could manage it with facebook and twitter, but blogging would be harder, as I’d miss everybody a great deal. At the very least, I’d have to tell people that I was taking a certain time off and not disappearing forever, or they might all unfollow me D:
Smiling. I so relate Sarah. Thanks for sharing.
I’m not as connected as others. I just joined Facebook, but I don’t have a SmartPhone. I like standing in line and watching everyone else isolate in their bubbles of tech. I like watching toddlers trying to get their attention. And dogs. I like seeing the birds they miss.
Smiling…
Yummy!
Having a time out is great. I plan them and stick to them but only for a day or two. I also have rules with myself, like no cell phone while eating out with others or when I’m shopping with my daughter. When did we become so connected?
Connected seems to community. Addicted is closer to it in my opinion Tina.
all so very true –
A couple of years ago we vacationed on a small island with spotty internet, so I had limited, and some days no, connectivity. After my nervous tic went away, I was able to relax and enjoy myself. I felt a bit “at sea,” but also relished the down time to, as Sandy says, interact with the world around me, watch the birds, soak up the sunsets, and marvel at the stars. Will be going again soon and must say, I’m really looking forward to it… 😊
Sounds wonderful Lori. We’ll be livin’ vicariously through you. 🙂
In China, there is an addiction centre for this.
South Korea too I believe.
Just go to Fiji! Not much internet there, so helps to work through any addictions! Good reminder to all of us 🙂
Ah yes, here we go again. Back on the Fuji Bus!
Its only a little stop over today! Promise I have been working hard on moving on 🙂
ROFL!!!!
I dont know what that means???
Rolling on the floor laughing. Get with the millennial acronyms friend!
Oh ha! Its all the sun down here truly! I am very slow at times…Have a great day. 🙂
I’ve noticed a lot of people taking a sabbatical from social media
I haven’t Peter. However, the discussion around the topic has certainly been elevated.
If we stop and think about what is being replaced, left out…as we look at our screens, whatever they may be…I think we might be pretty sad. Our attention is being taken away from what really matters, even just looking into the eyes of the people around us, or the blue of the sky. I’ve been trying to break away from it all a bit.
So true Carol. It is sad…
Isn’t it all about a healthy balance? Taking some time out is good. It allows us to check in with how much we are attached … or surprisingly not! I think it’s often the thought of giving it up that is the hardest for those who are addicted.
Choosing a vacation spot without internet is the BEST of both worlds. Yep – I want to go to Fiji too 😉
Just.Smiling.