So you want to take a media vacay

Often the only time we disconnect from it all is when we go on vacation. And some of us don’t even do that.

You know who you are. During your last tropical getaway, you broadcasted every moment on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram while blogging about all the major highlights.

For those of you out there giving the vacation play-by-play, step away from your computing device and chill.

For those that have the sanity to take a break when you’re supposed to be on a break, I ask you this: Why not do it without the plans and the passport, without the smelly airport and the strip search at security?

Take a media vacay. Seriously.

Recently, I took two whole months off from social media and blogging. I still read emails, used the internet for research, and kept up with my favorite blogs (minus my usual comments and likes).

I was feeling overwhelmed, flailing in a flashy sea of information. You know…life on crack.

Another perfect marriage proposal that was presumably imperfect, aw man…the one that never stops complaining about work, never-ending birthdays of people I barely know, that sad chick battling a cold and showing off her mountain of snot rags…eww, the usual ruffling of political feathers, a picture of somebody’s cute grandma, a popular article on why Splenda is killing people, the guy that thinks he would set the country straight if he were the president, ooh…that looks like a delicious smoothie recipe.

And, cue straitjacket.

So I did the closest thing I could to escaping to a deserted island. And I found something.

Focus. Unadulterated focus.

See that headstand pic up there? I’ve been trying to pull that baby off for a year. During my hiatus, I not only floated up, I stayed until I decided to come down.

This told me all I needed to know. And while your idea of pure focus may not be a headstand, it was for me.

So, I invite you to go find your focus. I made you a little checklist, so you don’t forget anything on your trip.

• Pick a time on purpose  Finish an important project, decompress after a stressful time, or simply extend the positive effects of a vacation by “staying away” a little longer.
• Tell people  Let others know, so they don’t think something terrible happened to you (death, divorce, etc.). Bloggers, write a post and embed a countdown on your site to let your readers know what you’re doing, why you’re doing it, and when you’ll return.
• Cut yourself off  To avoid any accidental relapses, remove convenient social media apps from your smartphone and turn off email notifications. All of them.
• Change your routine  Cherish the new minutes you’ve added to your life. Commit to that morning meditation finally, see what your spouse and/or kids are up to, play way more with your pets, take a long walk, or simply sit in silence. Enjoy.

Just like any vacation, make it your own.

Fueling the fire is something we humans tend to  do. Especially in our techy times, we want to experience everything better and faster.

Just before I signed off for two months, my heart felt heavy as I began to second guess myself. Then, I read one final comment from my great blogger pal Jessica over at Notes of Nomads.

“There is more to life than simply increasing its speed.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi. Stop and smell those roses, Britt. We’ll be waiting for you when you return. x

Then, I smiled and logged out.

P.S. It was one of the best vacations…ever.

What about you guys? Have you ever taken a media vacay? And, those thinking about taking one, are you gonna give it a go or what? : )