Since starting grad school, my blogging schedule has been a little chaotic to say the least and for the past month or so, I’ve been struggling with really intense insomnia. So, I decided to take a little break and check out from the blog and basically everything else. Now I haven’t been as extreme as some people, I am definitely still checking social media, just not as much as usual.

In addition to that, this summer when I moved, I was wifi and data-less for 5 days so I have experienced the extreme checking out as well. Here are my main three thoughts on checking out.

1. If you are with someone else, there is no need to be checking your phone. My phone is almost always on silent and I turned vibrate off so I only get notifications when I look for them. This helped me stop randomly looking at my phone every 20 seconds
2. I know that a lot of other people adore checking out completely…it is not for me. I get more anxiety about the work I could be doing online or the emails I should be responding to. Doesn’t mean it won’t work for you, but it didn’t work for me.
3. Social media and technology are so personal so make a system that works best for you. I like clearing my inbox periodically throughout the day, so I do. If this stops your work flow, don’t do it.

In general, social media, our phones, and the internet have changed our society so we need to change with it. My one goal and piece of advice is don’t let the technology control you. When you are at dinner or with friends, put your phone away or flip it upside down. Your phone can wait, your friends can’t.

XO T