For months I have been threatening my family with a digital detox. “No more screens!” I would yell and then promptly sit back down at my laptop and pick up my phone. I knew the person that most needed a detox was me but the idea of actually doing it worried me. I worried that by completely disconnecting from the digital world for even a few days I would undo all of my months of work I’d done to promote my debut novel.

I work in marketing so I understand how the social media algorithms work. (At least as much as one can when they change all the time.) Suffice to say I knew that by dis-engaging myself I was going to drop down the list. But after a particularly difficult week of trying to balance work, kids, volunteering and writing, I was about to lose my god-damn mind. I needed a break. So we unplugged for five days.

And. It. Was. BLISS.

The detox ended this morning and I emerged from it feeling incredibly rejuvenated and motivated. 🥰

I knew I was lacking work-life balance but I didn’t realize just how much that imbalance was affecting my mental health. Over the past five days I read three books & listened to two others. I did countless crossword puzzles, played board games with my kids and got out into nature.

I reconnected with myself and the people I love the most.

I also started outlining my next novel on paper…gasp! Plotting it out got me so excited about actually starting to write the book that I woke up this morning just after 6am, impatiently waited for my coffee maker to brew already and got started. In just under 2 hours I had written more than 2,000 words and I’ve spent the rest of my day smiling at the accomplishment.

Perfect work-life balance is something I know I will never completely achieve. But these past five days have gotten me closer than I have ever been and I plan on sticking with a lot of my new habits:

▪️I’ve set screen time limits for social media apps.
▪️My notifications will stay off.
▪️I have set dedicated working hours and commit to only checking email during those hours.

It will be tough. I love my online writing community. and know that disconnecting will likely mean I will miss out on events or posts. But I know I need to at least strive for some balance.

So if I’m not online as often as I used to me, please know it’s not because I don’t love you all.

It’s because I’m trying to love myself more. ❤️