Your phone or laptop can be a source of great joy from time to time. However, such a device can also be the very thing that gets in the way of your everyday happiness. When you spend too much time online, you tend to neglect the offline world.
This is pretty bad on any day, but it is especially so when you’re traveling. A trip is an opportunity to learn something, discover new places, connect with new people, and get to know the world and yourself better as a result.
Unfortunately, if you spend too much time on your screens, you risk failing at all of these. For that reason, here are some tips on how to be more present in the moment during your trip.
Hope for the Best
The first step in your digital detox is setting yourself up for success. That means that you should focus on what you want to achieve; not on potential negative outcomes or everything that will be waiting for you when you come back.
If there are things that are already bugging you, you can have a head start already. Tackle everything problematic before the vacation starts and save yourself the torture of worrying or anticipating the worst during your time off.
Set the Boundaries
When you sign off once the vacation starts, try not to be available for work-related calls until you’re back. Make it crystal clear for everyone that you are on annual leave and make sure to include the day of your return to the out of office notice.
When setting the boundaries, try to set them with your loved ones too. It is perfectly normal that people who love you want to text or call a lot. While this can be nice, it can also be distracting during your time abroad. Let everyone know beforehand that you won’t be available as usual and enjoy your vacation fully.
Plan Mindful Activities
One of the best ways to make a digital detox easier while traveling is to keep yourself engaged. Plan your vacation around activities that encourage you to put your devices aside. Visit museums, explore local wineries, spend a day at a theme park, or simply take time to discover the area on foot.
You can also give yourself a small goal to focus on during the trip. For example, if you’re considering buying a property, you could spend some time learning about real estate in Brunswick Heads and getting a feel for the local market while you’re there. It’s a productive way to stay curious and engaged without constantly reaching for your phone, tablet, or laptop.
Take Plenty of Photos
One way to look less at your phone is by bringing your camera to your trip. A digital or, even better, an analogue camera could be your most valuable gadget on the trip, particularly if you have a more creative side.
However, try not to spend too much time taking the pictures or sharing them. That way, you also risk not being present and mindful on your trip. Instead, take the pictures and store the camera away. You’ll have plenty of time to sort them, send them, or post them once you’re back home.
Plan Media Consumption
To get the most out of your trip, planning is crucial. Being intentional in everything you do is what will make the biggest difference. This will help you keep your expectations realistic and easier to follow and carry out.
One thing that could help is planning exactly what kind of media you want to consume. For instance, if you are a bookworm, bringing your e-reader will suffice. You won’t need a tablet or a laptop either. On the other hand, if you are more of a cinephile, bringing a larger screen would be a better way to go.
Delete Apps or Limit Notifications
If you don’t want to spend too much time on your social media while abroad, temporarily deleting the apps could be the perfect option for you. You won’t have to deactivate your accounts, but having lower access to them will certainly help you cut down on screen time.
Even if you don’t want to delete the apps or accounts, you can sill set times that will remind you when you’ve used the app too much. Muting your notifications will further help you stay away from the phone and be more present.
Conclusion
In today’s day and age, a digital detox can be quite hard to achieve. However, during your vacation, these tips will help you look at the screens less and actually be mindful of your trip and surroundings.
