DISCONNECT TO CONNECT TO WHAT MATTERS.

I disconnected from the world this weekend, and it was glorious.  I spent my day away from my phone, away from social media and away from the cares of the world.  In return, I celebrated Mother’s Day with extended family in the rolling vineyards of Stone Tower Winery under the beams of a perfect springtime sunshine and brisk breezes.  Brandon, Ellie and I played tag between the rows of vines and we picked daisies at the edge of the hidden pond.  We tumbled down hills covered in the deepest green grass and we hiked the foothills of the property in search of a nonexistent lavender field.  I cradled a bubbly white as I drank in the delightfulness of the day.  The Virginian sun warmed our skin and marked us with moments that we will remember as being beautifully frozen in time.

Though it may seem like a simple thing, turning off the phone and completely disconnecting from technology, even if it is for a short period of time, can be like giving yourself a complete reboot and reset.  I am astounded at what a mere 24-hour disconnect did for me: it gave me a new sense of presence at the vineyard, it lowered my stress levels, it simplified my existence and place in the world, it gave me a deeper sleep than I’ve had in ages and it awoke me to start the next day, and the beginning of my week with an unbridled enthusiasm I would not have otherwise had.

We are so connected to so many people that sometimes it can feel overwhelming.  The social media parade of highlights is never-ending and our email inboxes are never without new mail and new demands.  Often, the distraction of technology increases our stress levels because it serves as a point of procrastination, distracting us from what we really need to focus on and what we really want to care about.

I don’t know about you, but I know that sometimes life can feel like a big, knotted ball with endless obligations, goals, ideas and things to do and not enough time or space to do them.  Well, unplugging, even if only for a short period of time, can give you the clarity and mental space to start unraveling the messy ball.  In the short span of 24-hours I feel like I reduced the “complication” level of my life by 50% and I felt 100% more connected to the people I love and the things I really love and care most about in life.

This may seem super obvious, but if it is, then why don’t more of us to it?  There’s no doubt about it, disconnecting from being over-stimulated by technology and distraction will give you a deep reset on your enthusiasm towards everything, particularly towards work and I honestly attribute this to having had a break for clear space in your thinking.  Even a short break can open up new energy channels for enthusiasm that were previously blocked by busyness.

It’s funny how spending undistracted time with the people you love the most in the world will rejuvenate your love and appreciation for them and make you even more confident in how deep your love is for them. Disconnecting from technology gives me a deep re-connect with the people I love most and it refreshes the prioritization of my real values in life.

A break from technology does more than just free up some time and empower your ability to be present at any given time, it also empowers you to break free from the trap of comparative thinking.  When our lives are saturated with media we are inundated with messages of competition and self-comparison, none of which are conducive to our mental wellbeing and our base state of happiness.  Unplug from it all and your sense of self will improve drastically and your overall mindset will feel balanced, renewed and optimistic.

A disconnection, or reset, might just be the thing you need.  Even if you can’t disconnect completely for a full day, do yourself a favor and at least escape from virtual reality for two full, uninterrupted hours.

Cleansing your mind does your body, and your life, good.

Confidently yours,

Trish