Dear diary: I did what everyone tells you not to do. I disengaged.
I haven’t blogged in a month. I haven’t tweeted much and I haven’t facebooked. Guess what, the world didn’t end, I did some things I’ve wanted to do for a while, I feel more rested and I don’t dream in #hashtags anymore.
What did I spend that time doing?
- Visiting friends
- Spent time with family
- Read Patterson’s Alex Cross series
- Got some pool time
- Worked out
- Traveled
- Watched movies
- Scheduled time to do nothing
- Focused on my day job
It’s hard to manage feelings of burnout. So, I just unplugged a bit. I didn’t completely fall off the radar, but close.
It was fantastic and you should try it. I do think it’s easy to get addicted to social media and it’s happening more. All the shiny objects, the mesmerizing digital display, the ability to connect with countless new people, friends & experts. We do it because we love it, but loving it to much can drive us (and our friends & better halves) crazy. Plus, we begin to justify the fact that we’re checking in to each room of our house on FourSquare, tweeting while driving or Facebooking during a funeral. It’s overkill and we know it.
If you haven’t seen these Toyota commercials, they illustrate the point beautifully.
So share this post with a friend who could use it, then put down the phone and step away from the computer. Trust me, you’ll live – maybe more than you had been.
Nonprofit Nate 
Totally agree. I think like any teenager that doesn’t want to be excluded, we stay connected at all costs–the greatest cost being attending to your own life. It takes discipline to really unplug. I too dream in #hashtags but I own a Venza as well. Working on finding that balance.
I’d have to agree with you. The Internet can become a complete drain on your health, mental and physical.
I typically take time away from it on weekends and after work hours. I don’t want to overload it, but I do take the time to respond if someone talks to me.
Great article! Love the ads!
I think many people really believe that the internet will collapse if they are not checking it everyday. I enjoyed your post.