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? : )
Britt Skrabanek 
You know, I have been considering giving myself a month or two off to clear my head, especially since things are particularly overwhelming these days. Then I remembered I need to promote my upcoming novel and that idea went straight down the drain. =[
I’m really glad it worked for you though!
Hey, doll! It’s definitely all about the timing. It’s obviously important to promote your novel, but once things die down a bit for you, that would be the perfect time to decompress.
Somehow I didn’t realize you had a new release on its way! Maybe I missed the news during my hiatus. I have “Puppet Parade” on my GR list.
When’s the big day?
Well, I keep pushing it back, haha. Every time I plan to get to work on it something more pressing comes up and I have to stop everything. But it should be sometime in the summer… I hope!
To see clearly, simply change the direction of gaze.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
With your lyrics do reflect and remember great writers, when they speak of life’s simple moments and thus find in nature language leads us to meditate. Great writers are always looking for the place where they can be away from the world to encontrase themselves. It’s nice to read to you even thousands of miles away and in another language.
Absolutely. Spot on, as always, Carlos. Change the direction of the gaze! Love it.
Thank you for your kindness and support. Much appreciated!
Fantastic. I am planning this for August. Your post is more impetus. Headstands will be my power symbol. And… welcome back.
Hooray! Go Laura! You’ll love it. And, thanks for the welcome hug. : )
We would love to post your top picture and an excerpt of your text at toemail if you do not mind? Just need the location and we are all set! htttp://toemail.wordpress.com
Yay! I’m back on toemail! I was actually thinking about my toemail friend when I posted this. : )
Location is Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Thanks, pal! Let me know when it’s up, so I can share with the masses. : )
You got it! 🙂
Sweet! My toes are flattered. : )
It’s posted now. Thanks again, always very much appreciated! 🙂
Awesome, thanks for having me!
Cool headstand. I used to be able to do that (like 50 years ago) but using the hands to make the three points of balance. Your way looks much more difficult.
I don’t have the urge for a vacation but at least I don’t carry around portable gadgets so away from home/office is always a break.
That’s awesome, Roy! I think both versions are equally challenging.
I am a reluctant carrier of portable gadgets, though I use my smartphone for music and the camera more than anything. : )
cool pic 😀
and great post
Thanks so much!
Hey Britt, I have considered a media vacation but when I get that urge I slow down instead. Post less. Check less. Plug my phone into the wall and walk away. But I may get to a point where I’ll need a fast rather than a diet change.
Love the headstand. 😉
Slowing down is also a good tactic. It’s something I have trouble doing, so for me, I’m kind of an all-or-nothing kind of gal.
Love the fast vs. diet change analogy. And, thanks on the headstand cheer! : )
That headstand is so beautiful!
I set aside specific times to check my media so the rest of my days are media free and I try to always have one media free day per week. I’m not a huge gadget person so this is more of a reminder to actually check my email at some point during the day! My better half, on the other hand, gets fidgety if his iphone isn’t within arms reach…
Thanks, love! My hubby and I had fun with that in the park a couple of weekends ago. I may or may not have fallen over fifty times until we got the right shot. : )
Setting aside a specific time is super smart. I need to do that now that I’m back. It’s good to reserve time to focus on specific things, even these crazy hobbies!
The other park goers must have gotten a kick out of watching you and your husband try to get that photo just right 🙂
I’m sure they did. : )
This was so cool to read! You are so full of inspiration, girl!! I’m not yet able to do head stands, but I had a similar increase in focus during my break and I was finally able to do the crow until – like you said – I decided to stop xx
Firstly, thank you, love. Secondly, woohoo on the crow! It’s one of my favorite poses…so much fun to play with.
Headstands take ridiculous patience and non-stop encouragement more than anything. It’s an amazing feeling when you get it – the closest you’ll ever come to flying.
[…] good friend at toemail featured my recent post So you want to take a media vacay – along with my toes…naturally. My toes (and I’m hoping my writing) has rounded up […]
This is great Britt. Congrats on the headstand! I usually check out before I have to make big decisions and find using the extra time to meditate and run brings amazing clarity. Love the picture…. beautiful, cute and inspiring.
Thanks, Melissa! Checking out can be a really powerful tool. The extra time is priceless. Thank you for your sweetness, as always.
[…] blame it on the two month media hiatus when I found the focus I needed and basically rediscovered […]