internet breaks (and why we should take them)


taking a break.
hiatus.
unplugging.

it's funny how these days all of the above can be viewed in a negative light by many "hustlers." in the age of social media and constant connection, taking a step back can seem like an action that will come with more minus signs than plus marks. but I beg to differ.

though some may tend to view vanishing off the radar as a negative, i know from experience that it comes with myriad benefits - including sanity, peace, and finding yourself more genuinely connected than ever.

we often use the word "connection" in relation to our phones, the internet, and social media, but in reality these tools, if used unwisely, can easily leave us feeling more disconnected and lonely. having your face in front of a screen for a considerable portion of your day rather than engaging with the world around you doesn't exactly inspire thoughts of "connect" but rather the opposite.

now don't get me wrong - i'm a passionate indie and entrepreneur, and the internet and social media make up the very backbone of my business; i love and value these tools, and use them every day. But i think it's so important to take a step back and assess how much time we're spending in front of a screen vs engaging with the world around us.

to me, being truly "connected" looks a lot more like getting up at sunrise for coffee with my husband, practicing karate outside barefoot, getting fresh, fragrant earth under my fingernails, paddling out on my surfboard, practicing yoga, drinking a warm mug of tea and writing a short story, gathering around my family's bustling dining room table for dinner, staying up late to talk and laugh for hours with my sister...

this... this is what being connected looks like to me. and these everyday miracles are often the moments that are interrupted by the buzz of a new notification or phone call. these are the moments that tailored selfies invade; we often begin to look at our lives and habitats with a critical eye, changing this, tweaking that, and putting only the most "pinterest-worthy" versions of ourselves forward.

but the thing is, that's not real. that's not authentic. there's nothing wrong with taking photos or posting on social media, but when you find your life orbiting your "socials" rather than the other way around? that's not truly enjoying life. i don't want to lose these moments, because these moments are the fabric of LIFE...i refuse to sacrifice these moments even for my career.


i believe in balance. i believe we need to pay attention and to stay aware. we can build our careers, we can stay connected online - yes. but we can also find that balance...we can stay connected with the world around us and those right in front of us. and for me, i can best stay balanced by taking breaks.

and let's just put this up front...taking a break is not a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength. it's a sign of good judgement, and self love. it's a sign that you are leading a balanced life.

i'm an indie author and an entrepreneur, so I have quite a bit going on via social media, but I still take breaks and go off grid. in fact, that's exactly what I'm doing in april for a whole month. is that reckless and irresponsible to do when you're your own boss?

it's the opposite.

taking a break helps you reconnect to everything that truly matters. If the Internet went away overnight, this...THIS: the chair you're sitting in, the tea you might be drinking, the sounds around you, the people that might be in the room with you or in the apartment next door, the trees beyond your window, the floor or earth beneath you - this is what you would have left. this is real. this is what truly matters, and why we do all the other things.

in all the hustle, don't lose the reason. the reason is all around us all the time, we just need to open our eyes to see it.


so don't feel guilty about taking a break, and don't let anyone make you feel like you should be juggling everything. to truly, fully, and holistically live our lives in the moment we need to take breaks, reconnect, go off grid...yes, yes, yes. you are doing it right. if you need a push, or a nod, or validation, let this be it:

go for it. take that break. go off grid. recharge, reconnect, refill the cup because you can't pour from an empty place. go get inspired so you can inspire others, and create with INTENTION. believe me, your reader/followers/fans will thank you and respect you for it.


stay stoked...and stay TRULY connected,
kate

internet breaks (and why we should take them)
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  1. I love this post! It's so important not to let social media become our only social outlet, because then we never leave the screen, and never realize the unfiltered beauty that the world outside can offer us. I take breaks myself, usually in small increments, and I never regret them. I hope your break is refreshing and wonderful. <3

    -Melissa
    melissagravitis.blogspot.com

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  2. I feel like I'm constantly going back and forth with my life revolving around social media. So it was really encouraging to read this post. Thank you!

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