A Digital Detox 

A few Sunday’s ago I had a #digitaldetox – but I still wrote this post! I went all old-school and used a pen and paper instead of typing directly into my phone! I’ve been thinking I ought to do this again for a while (the only other times were my birthday weekend last year and for most of the time when on holiday in Italy). Late to social media – I only really started engaging in Facebook just over 2 years ago when I started Rhubarb and Runner Beans- it has now become part of my daily life. I'm also on Instagram, Twitter, Patreon and YouTube. I love it and I am not saying it’s a bad thing but it can take over. Do you find that?

Initially as I started to find more and more inspiring Facebook pages and groups I lapped it up! It was so refreshing to find an online community that reflected my ideas and attitudes. I then fell foul of the “aimless scroll” – you know when you aren’t even reading just looking and searching, you know in case you miss something good! I’ve almost eliminated this ‘just keep scrolling, just keep scrolling behaviour’. Usually I quickly stop myself when I feel that familiar, constant swiping of the screen!

I tend now to mostly use social media to share and write, I love expressing my thoughts. Seeing the reactions and reading the comments is part of it. I know if no one read I’d have stopped writing by now. When a notification appears, I’m not going to lie, I get a little buzz of happiness. By reading and responding to comments I have grown – in confidence (when people are positive), in resilience (if people are unkind – this is very rare), in terms of my adventure towards eco-friendly living etc. But quickly I fell foul to the constant checking. Do I have any notifications? I’ll just check! I better respond IMMEDIATELY, It’ll help boost my post, get a conversation going etc. I’ve also fallen foul to the daily posting – my page will drop-off people’s newsfeeds if I don’t! I like to write so I write a post. But then I need to check and respond! This can all take a lot of time and I’ve realised sometimes I am doing it because of a ‘should’ feeling rather than a conscious choice. So this feels like negative behaviour. Lucy Aitken Reed from Lulastic Hippyshake posted a video recently about internet addiction. It got me thinking – I even felt quite unsettled by it! I then read in the last edition of The Green Parent magazine the article ‘How and Why to have a Digital Detox’ so it felt I was being pushed and pulled in this direction.

Sunday seemed the perfect day to start (and the day after these thoughts) so I decided to give it a go. It started, as usual, with my husband bringing me a cup of tea in bed. I normally check my notifications (I know – I feel terrible!) and write a Sundayish post – self-care, connecting with nature, #slowsunday being the normal theme. Instead I had a conversation with my husband!

I have to admit (with the risk of damaging my already low street-cred!) I’m a fan of watching the repeat of Country File on a Sunday morning. I asked my husband to check on his phone what time it was on – as I wasn’t allowed!! After watching this with the kids and some more tea accompanied with toast I started the RSPB “Big Garden Watch” which they run one weekend per year. I enter the results online – the more zero-waste option (I don’t need a paper form). It seems this digital detox is going to be tricky! I decide to go online –just for this. As soon as I turn my Wi-Fi on two messages beep from messenger, I don’t open them and turn off Wi-Fi after my hour long bird watch.

The night before this detox I made a list of possible things to do so I consult the list and do a bit of making – a lining (made from a worn out dress) for a white basket I’ve bought. I’m going to use it to store make-up and I don’t want to ruin it. I declutter a bit whilst looking through my fabric and my endless sewing supplies.

After lunch, I read a chapter from my book (I definitely would normally check notifications). I go back to the book ‘The Artist’s Way’ which I have dipped into but not followed up with many of the tasks. I complete two. Then I feel compelled to write. So I write this. It was meant to be a Facebook post but has clearly turned into a blog post now! If I’d written it straight on to social media I would have probably condensed my thoughts into a more acceptable length for others to read whilst scrolling through their newsfeed. I obviously have a need to write so I haven’t changed that (and don’t want to!). I choose instead to type this up another day meaning I will leave notification checking and responding to comments for another day too! Don’t stop commenting though. I do still love reading them. I just need to have some time away too. A time to gather my own thoughts and not be influenced by the thoughts of others; a time to focus on other things in life.

My kids are currently playing Top Trumps, I am going to take on the winner. I might then actually make some oat milk – I’ve only ever done this once but never got round to doing it again, despite the intention. I never seem to find (make) time! Then perhaps another chapter of my book before a family meal out.

I know I’ll look forward to getting back to the online world tomorrow but I’m wondering about making every Sunday tech-free. What about you, do you ever have a digital detox?

Thank you so much to my fantastic Patrons including Finding My Eco and Nature and Nurture Baby Vitamins.

I’m currently trying to carve out some dedicated time for promoting eco-friendly living and particularly getting involved with schools and other community groups. If you feel you could spare a pound or so each month to support me in achieving this check out my Patreon page.