DIGITAL DETOX
Every once in a while, I do what it is called “Digital Detox”.
It’s a period of time when I dilaberately disconnected from internet, post absolutely nothing on any social media, not checking chats or emails, refrain to use any gadget and even take photos as less as possible (but if someone took pics of me, I don’t mind at all, haha)
The purpose? To reset and refocus, reduce stress and embrace more on social interaction. And for me, it’s also for meditation.
For an avid internet user, it’s much easier said than done to do so. We’ve become so dependent to our gadgets, for every activity that we do in real life. Not to mention there’s the constant sense of Fear Of Missing Out anxiety lies within each of us, avid social media users.
So usually, I forced myself doing it by escape to beautiful places. Last year I started from weekend in Teluk Kiluan, then upgraded to a whole week in Karimun Jawa. This year, I did it again for 8 days in Belitung and Bangka island. And even after I came back, I still have no appetite in posting on social media, yet =D
In US, there’s even an organization called DigitalDetox.org that arranged a retreat free from internet and gadgets. I like their motto: Disconnect to Reconnect. They also have CampGrounded that held summer camp for adults with lotsa fun activities. I wish I could join them one day =)
In Asia, I found out there’s a newly founded DigitalDetoxAsia that will held their first and second retreats in Bali this July and October. Unfortunately I didn’t get much detail from the registration page yet.
Indonesia is listed as number one on top travel destinations for digital detox by HoneyCombers. No wonder, since we have sooo many beautiful places to explore, and so many of them are out of coverage area, combined with 82 million internet users in Indonesia!
Anyway, doing digital detox does not necessarily have to do with vacation, although it would be better ;) You can simply start from a day off from gadgets, then a weekend, then escalate to a week if possible. Here are six steps to a digital detox, 3 strategies to beat your FOMO, and how to do digital detox and overcome your FOMO.
Have a happy digital detox!