The Travel Chica

Live Simple. Consume Less. Experience More.

Disconnect and reconnect

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I recently shared how I do my best to live a simple life even when life is busy.  One thing I do regularly is disconnect and reconnect.  Sounds contradictory, right?  Let me explain.

I disconnect from the noise, the demands, and the minutiae so that I can reconnect with nature, beauty, and discovery.

Disconnect

There are so many things competing for our attention on a daily basis.  Television, radio, billboards, flyers, text messages, phone calls, social media, meeting notifications, IMs … this level of noise and distraction has become the norm.  While I tend to avoid much of the chatter by eliminating its presence in my life, there is a lot that is beyond my full control.  So I try to decipher value from the remaining and ignore the rest.

We don’t even realize how exhausting this is until we are no longer dealing with it.

I prefer to disconnect by literally pulling the plug.

I like to leave the country and go to a remote location.  I put the out of office auto-reply on my work email.  I do not get the international plan on my cell phone, and I do not buy a local SIM.  Even if I do have wifi available, I only use it to look up information related to my trip.

I take a break from my day-to-day responsibilities.

No bills to pay.  No home projects to work on.  No chores.  No schedule to keep.

Reconnect

Jamaica 2014 402_1

With the distractions gone, I can reconnect with my surroundings.

I can appreciate nature and the beauty wherever I am.  I can focus on experiencing each moment.  I can get inspired with my photography.
Eileens 2014 23

With the distractions gone, I can reconnect with myself.

Instead of following a busy schedule, I can make decisions in the moment about how I want to spend my time.  I spend my time doing things that make me happy.  I can be more active which makes me feel healthy.  I can relax and simply think.  I can pause to appreciate what I have in my life.  This paves the way for reflection and adaptation, a topic I will explore further in a future post.

With the distractions gone, I can fully experience the joy of discovery.

I explore places I have never been.  I hear languages or accents I’m not used to.  I try things I have never done or rarely have a chance to do.  I savor each meal.  I have conversations with people who have different perspectives and lifestyles.

It’s time

It is possible to disconnect and reconnect frequently without hopping on a plane.  In fact, it is important to be able to do this frequently, daily if possible.  I need to get better at this.  I can switch off my cell phone and read a book.  I can close my email at work and go for a walk.  I can let the cores go and spend a Sunday morning relaxing.

It is important to disconnect and reconnect for a longer period of time.

It has been about one year since my trip off-the-beaten-path in Jamaica.  This is too long for me, so I have planned a disconnect and reconnect trip at the end of the year.  It meets all of the important criteria.

It requires a passport.

I will have to dust off my Spanish skills.

I need to free up space on my memory cards.

I will need to pack active wear for water and land.

Nobody will be able to call or text me.

I will experience surfing and yoga with Bodhi Surf Camp in Costa Rica!

 

I am looking forward to the physical challenge of surfing combined with the synergy of mind, body, and spirit with yoga.  I am looking forward to engaging with the local community.  I am looking forward to learning about conservation, social responsibility, and global stewardship promoted by Bodhi.

 

How do you disconnect and reconnect?

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