“Disconnect in order to reconnect.”
Friend,
The definition of unplug is:
disconnecting an electrical device from the socket or the removing of an obstacle or blockage.
There are times in our lives that we must also unplug. You may need to unplug mentally, physically, or even both. Life can get so busy, hectic, and loud that we begin to neglect our own sanity. The world teaches us that successful people are busy. We are programmed to pile more and more tasks onto our to do lists and post about our accomplishments. Although it is good for us to be productive, we were also made to rest. Our bodies were not made to be overworked. Have you ever been so exhausted mentally and physically that your body starts to shut down and you get sick? That’s your body telling you that you need rest.
As defined earlier, unplugging is the action of disconnecting from a source and removing obstacles or blockages. Analyze your daily life for a moment, and pinpoint what those sources of overwhelm are for you. What is it that is causing you mental pressure? Do you need to give social media a break for a specific period of time? Do you need to disconnect from your electronics? Maybe there are certain people in your life that are causing mental pressure. Once you have pinpointed what you need to unplug from, choose a date and amount of time that you want to be unplugged. I personally recommend you choose a full day at MINIMUM. For some people that may not be feasible. Here are some tips that can make unplugging easier.
Tips:
SET THE DATE
Choose a day that is least demanding of your attention and time, such as a day clear of meetings or deadlines.
PLAN AHEAD
Plan activities that will keep you grounded and motivate peace within your mind. Personally, I love nature. I like to plan hiking or camping trips. If the weather does not permit, I do things such as read books, pray, meditate, nap, cook, or go to a spa. The key is to be as quiet as possible and in tune with yourself and God. Whichever activities you choose, make sure they will be beneficial to you and quieten your mind.
NOTIFY YOUR CIRCLE
Let the people that typically need the most access to you know in advance that you are planning to unplug. You wouldn’t want them sending out a search party for you going off the grid all of a sudden.
PLAN A TRIP OUTSIDE OF THE CITY
The key is to minimize as many distractions as possible. Sometimes just being in a city in all of its busyness and nosiness is enough to make you feel a sense of unrest. Personally, when I feel like I have too much going on in my head, and in my life, I grab my keys and just drive away. I usually have no destination, but I just know that I want to get away from all of the lights and noise. Overstimulation is what you want to focus on downsizing.
BE IN THE MOMENT
Ground yourself. Listen to the sounds around you. Notice how your body feels. Engage yourself in the sights around you. (Sometimes it’s best to do this outside if at all possible. Even if it is for just a moment).
IMPLEMENT LISTENING PRAYER
Give God your heart and all that has been causing you unrest. Then listen and wait as he brings you an inner peace that you so desperately desired. Don’t overdo it. More than talking to God, you want to listen to Him. You never call your best friend and tell them about a situation and then immediately hang up after you’ve told them, right? No, you listen to their feedback and process it. It’s the same with God. Give Him your cares, and then listen for feedback. Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) says,
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
I just want to encourage you to unplug at least once for your own sanity and well-being. When you return to the real world you will be able to devote your time to your daily life with a different perspective with clarity. You will be calmer and more appreciative of the life God gave you. This process may allow you to see clearer what’s important, and what you need to adjust. Nevertheless, unplugging is a decision you need to make for you.
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”