Digital Detox Day in Sacramento
Required Preparation Instructions
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS: Complete by Thursday evening or as soon as you can; try not to cram at the last minute on Friday.
Note for those who must participate from home: This digital detox day was designed to be held in person in community, however some of you have asked us for resources to participate at home because you have to care for children that day or have a similar extenuating circumstance. For you we will post additional resources for home participation at this link which will be updated with content by Friday.
Intro: The primary intention of this digital detox day is to help us as a community reconnect with ourselves and each other by taking a 24-hour break from the addictive attachment with our smartphones and other digital technologies. The point of this is NOT to restrict ourselves just because it's challenging. Therefore we do not have any strict absolute rules. As with any learned habit that we have formed, the more we can intentionally break from that habit, the more benefit we will gain in understanding how to shift our habit and let go of our attachment. So our guideline in this digital detox day is to not use our smartphone. However, use your best judgment as needed. If you have a medical emergency and need to call for help, yes absolutely you should use your phone. But if you get the craving to check your Instagram, be honest with yourself and know that caving into a craving that is not an emergency may deviate from your intentions for participating in this detox. If you want to go for a run and can do so without using your phone for music, that would be great, but if you're not ready for that level of detox, do what you need to best align with your intentions for this detox to reduce your habitual use of your smartphone (and other digital technology). All of our guidelines are meant to help provide you with the best experience for growth and wellness. At the end of the day, trust yourself and all will be fine.
1) People: Have you informed those who you need to that you are participating?
Tell any family and friends as needed that you will be participating and unavailable by phone. For example, you can send them this sample text: “Hi, I’m participating in a 24-hour digital detox retreat and won’t be reachable by phone until this Sunday afternoon.” If you need to add an urgent emergency contact you can mention to someone in your household or nearby like a neighbor that can reach you in person if an urgent situation arises: “If there’s an urgent emergency and you need to notify me please text/call [add emergency contact person details].”
2) Phone: Do you know when you will need your phone during this digital detox?
First, do bring your phone to the event for both Saturday and Sunday morning. You will need it for our first Saturday activity before we put away our phones together and at the end on Sunday. However, make a plan now for where to store your phone once you are home on Saturday. Our phones distract us because they are so accessible. To help you succeed in this digital detox, remove your phone from your immediate environment as much as possible by designating an intentional space after you return home (perhaps not on your nightstand since that would be tempting as you go to bed). Smartwatch reminder: Smartwatches are like an extension of our phones with notifications and all, so if you have and need your smartwatch to keep time, do set learn how to turn off notifications or set "do not disturb" on your smartwatch once we begin the detox together.
3) Prepare: Have you jotted down any online information you'll need during your detox?
For the 24 hours of your digital detox, think about any online information you might need (e.g. directions to The Clara Midtown) and write it all down for yourself now so that you won’t need to go online later. Pre-planning will help ensure your success in your digital detox day.
4) Snacks: If you plan to join us for the 'optional' activities after 11:30am on Saturday, will you need to pack any snacks for yourself?
After the kick-off circle ends around 11:30am on Saturday, we'll move over to Seasons Cafe at the Clara for the optional group activity as described on the home page. Seasons Cafe does have some food on their menu, though feel free to bring any of your own snacks as needed. After the Seasons Cafe group activity wraps up at 1pm, some of us will walk to a nearby restaurant to have lunch so feel free to join us.
5) Optional activity: SATURDAY 4pm YOGA CLASS and POTLUCK after...if you're planning to join, have you SIGNED-UP below?
What: To support our digital detox day and help us stay grounded and connect further, Dr. Carrie Waterman, who teaches for YMU, has graciously offered to host a yoga class at her residential studio space 'Dawa House' and then we'll eat and connect afterwards potluck style.
Where: Land Park residence; sign up below and we'll send you the address and directions.
When: Yoga session will start at 4pm on Saturday Jan. 11