Disconnecting to Reconnect - Unplugging While Travelling - The Passport Kids Adventure Family Travel

Do you unplug while away on vacation or are you constantly searching for the free Wi-Fi with every place you go?

This past trip I definitely unplugged, but I wouldn’t say I was completely cut-off. No blogging, Instagram pictures, Facebook posts or Tweets! I left my blogging and my full-time work at home and had very limited connections to anything else other than those who I was travelling with and I LOVED IT!

Why? Well, after starting this blog last year I haven’t spent one day without checking some kind of social media or updating something on the blog. I have been connected non-stop and I needed a break to focus on spending some quality time with my kids… which is the entire point of travelling with my kids and doing this blog! It wasn’t easy and a few times I caught myself reaching for my phone and having to put it back down.

If you are thinking about trying to disconnect to reconnect on your next vacation here are 3 tips for unplugging:

1) Leave your work phone at home, if you can. I have a full-time job that keeps me busy for most of my week. So on this trip I left my work phone and iPad at home. In my work out-of-office message, I highlighted that I would not have my phone while I was away on vacation, so they would not expect a reply. A few people knew my personal mobile number so if anything urgent came up they could reach me. Guess what… nobody contacted me! So the work world doesn’t fall apart when someone leaves :) This was the first time in 7 years that I left my work phone at home and it really helped me get away. Ignorance is bliss. I highly recommend this if you can make it work, this will help you completely cut yourself off from work and leave all temptation at home.

2) Leave your phone in your hotel room. If you have to bring it (I did bring my personal phone), get rid of the temptation by not having it on you. Get out and explore what it around you while travelling and focus on taking in the moments versus trying to capture them to “share” on social media within a few minutes. One day this past week there was a family of five on the beach and all of them had either their own phone or iPad; and none of them were connecting. While a family beside them had none of their phones and they were playing cards and laughing; you can probably figure out who I think had a more memorable day at the beach.

Listen to the ocean instead of your music.

Look at the trees, water and your family instead of watching a movie.

Talk to and meet new people instead of sending an email or text.

Play on the beach and make sand castles instead of playing a game on your phone.

3) Turn you phone to Airplane mode. This will allow you to still listen to downloaded music or podcasts, watch movies or read books without being distracted or tempted by your notifications from the internet, emails, Facebook, Twitter or other apps.

So how much did I connect over the week while we were away? Not much in comparison to my usually daily connection in-take. This list was about it!

Personal emails with my father and uncle who were visiting in the same area so we could arrange to meet.
Checked personal emails to see if anything urgent came up. I responded to only two emails that needed action while I was away. Everything else waited until I got back.
Turned on my phone when we left the kids at the Kids Club so they could reach me if they needed to.
Listened to music sometimes by the pool, beach and in our room.
I lightly skimmed through Facebook and Twitter a couple of times, but I didn’t post anything to any of my social media. I did have scheduled posts that may have come up on your feeds, but I had setup those post prior to my vacation to help share some blog stuff.
The kids had their iPads for the plane rides and for some quiet time in the room after busy days outside. Always helps so we can get ready to go out for the evening.

By really trying my best to disconnect I was able to find time for myself and to spend time with my kids. I was able to be aware of my moments and cherish the time I had. It was a break away from feeling like I constantly need to be “on” and connected with everyone. I connected with my family, nature and myself instead of my phone, iPad or the Internet.

Do you take your phone on vacations? What tips do you have to unplug while travelling? Or is it just when there is no Wi-Fi that you unplug?