I switched off for 24 hours ... and survived

I switched off for 24 hours … and survived

May 8, 2012

I woke up on the morning of Sunday, April 29, with my husband ceremoniously handing me my iPad and my iPhone. All was right in my world.

I switched both on to find only one missed text message from a girlfriend actually asking if I’d managed to switch off.

On Twitter, I was greeted by lovely Tweets welcoming me back.

I’d made it. Twenty-four (plus) hours without so much as a Tweet, Facebook update, Instagram photo or blog post. I set about making up for lost time

To bring you to speed, I’d agreed to go cold turkey on all my electronic loves on April 28 as part of the Switch off to Kangaroo Island campaign.

I kind of wouldn’t have minded being on Kangaroo Island for the switch off but, alas, if that wasn’t meant to be then I would have to keep myself VERY busy.

My electronic detox needed to be as pain-free as possible. Such a tactic would surely prevent breaking out in cold sweats or getting the shakes.

Yes, I could very happily have switched off here ... on Kangaroo Island

As luck would have it, staying busy proved VERY easy to do … given that the very next day I was heading to Sydney for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia.

So much to do. So little time.

Let me take you through my switch off day in photos. When I realised that there was still one gadget – my camera – at my disposal, I went a bit nutso.

As you do.

Let's start the day with a list ... handwritten, of course

I started the day with a list ... handwritten, of course

Just to make sure ... my daughter takes my phone and switches it off

Damn it. Realised I needed a Sydney weather check ... so delegated that electronic activity to my daughter.

I did need to "outsource" some electronic activity to Mr Styling You ... flights needed to be checked into and internet banking done!

I also "outsourced" some computer time to Mr Styling You ... flights needed to be checked into and internet banking done!

There was plenty of time to post up the week's family schedule in our kitchen

... and to pack for a "fashion" week away. A girl needs a lot of options!

... and to pack for a "fashion" week away. A girl needs options!

Mum's "taxi" was in full operation with both teenagers needing a drop-off or three!

It was Queensland's local government polling day ... dodged the rain to cast my vote

It was Queensland's local government polling day ... which meant dodging the rain to cast my vote

Afternoon tea at The Silva Spoon in Cotton Tree got the thumbs up from Mr Styling You and Mr Almost 7

Phewww ... the day is almost over. Time to party at a friends' birthday bash where guests were asked to wear a wig. What do you think?

Phewww ... the day was almost over. Time to party at a friends' birthday bash where guests were asked to wear a wig. What do you think?

Mission accomplished. I’m quite proud of myself, actually. I may just make this a ~~regular~~ ~~semi-regular~~ once a year thing … oh, who am I kidding? No-one

Did you switch off? Could you? Or are you really disciplined at regularly taking time out and switching off?

PS. It’s not too late to enter to win a trip to Kangaroo Island where, if I were you, I’d be switching off the moment I landed. Click here for details.

http://trumatter.wordpress.com/ Rukmini Roy

Fabulous. Once my guy is back from his business trip, we will plan a no gadget day. And you are looking very fab is that Red Wig. I only wore one wig, just once in my life- and it was a Frank Zappa wig. yes, I am very womanly you see
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Hee Hee! That was the first time I wore a wig but it was fun – especially at a party trying to work out who everyone was!
http://www.edenriley.com/ edenland

UMA! (From Pulp Fiction.) You look hot, even unplugged xxxx
http://twitter.com/MummaInHeels Melinda

You did an amazing job to survive! I don’t think I could do it!! X
http://www.facebook.com/GoddessMel1974 Melanie Lindner

I LOVE your kitchen organiser wall board thingy! I assume it’s blackboard paint and whiteboard backing? If you did it yourself I’d love some instructions – I’m a renter but I could probably hang a whiteboard and add the blackboard bits to it (or the landlord might just let me keep painting stuff – she seems happy for me to do it if I’m paying for the paint!).
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Hi Melanie … they are stick-on decals and perfect for renting http://www.decor.net.au/shop/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=1747
le_third

I am digging the wig le
http://www.sociallysorted.com.au Donna Moritz

I just went camping so that was a switch off – and it was so much fun and so relaxing. I must ask – where did you get your family planner under the rangehood – looks pretty wicked! As do the Silva Spoon treats!
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  They’re from a Sunshine Coast-based business - http://www.decor.net.au/shop/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=1747 – genius. Lots of great stick-ons for the kids too.
http://www.jeweldivas.com.au/ Jewel Divas Style

Nothing wrong with switching off over the weekends! Love the wig, I’m after pink and blue ones.
LISA Mckenzie

I have switched off but not by choice only when very sick in hospital having my knee replacement I switched off for ages ,though I do think it’s good idea,we are always reachable now ,no hiding from the hubby the kids ,no being invisable anymore ,I used to enjoy that ,But like you Nikki, I check the weather on my phone,find out who is home for dinner etc etc and I love my laptop I do admit,so can do it for a short time but it’s just so easy with out gadgets.
PS please stay a blonde ,I really can’t see you as a redhead ,though you have the colouring for it.!!!
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  I had to be careful with my makeup for the red – without flawless skin it just didn’t work!
Maxabella

LOVE the cropped red… maybe a little less red in real life… but love!

Am also coveting your schedule bubbles. So cute! Of course, I would fail to update them each week and then they would just look about as appealing as a 2011 calendar.

Lastly, if I didn’t detect a tongue firmly in a rouged cheek, I would be very, very worried about you right now!!!! x
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  LOL .. don’t be worried, the tongue was definitely there!
Jodie aka mummaducka

oh no I can’t do 24 hours completely switched off! I always have someone away from home, hubby or son at Boarding school, i just couldn’t do it. however I can easily go for a day (week) or so without checking facebook/emails/twitter etc. That’s probably due to the fact that my job or family doesn’t depend on it. Instant messaging and phone are a different story- if it goes off I am on it cos it’s probably family!
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  I think that’s what I learned most from the switch off Jodie – I could do the social media thing but the phone is essential with teenagers and family off doing separate things – it’s our point of contact!
shazzza

Seeing that coffee on the beach pic is making me feel very envious….. are you enjoying the fashionable jewel colours of mother nature after your week in sydney?
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Absolutely! Am always grateful for where I live – especially after being away.
Cindy

Love you with a bob Nikki!
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Thanks! Have worn this style many times over the years.
Denise

Techno-free….great work. Thank goodness for pen and paper…i still use it as a back -up.Have a great Tuesday.
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  I still use pen and paper too – need my list in front of me!
http://www.ladythinking.com/ Jackwafabwa @ Lady Thinking

You can totally pull off red hair!

I switch off on a regular basis …. mostly by accident. I forget my phone, or I get too busy in my real life to engage in my virtual one. Sometimes it feels like losing a limb, other times I find it quite liberating. But if I am really honest, I would rather lose my wallet than my iPhone.
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Definitely phone over wallet – it’s my office!
Thea

Oh, I love the Silva Spoon, it is like a jewel box. I never manage to make it back there as there is nowhere to put the dog. The wig is pretty funky. congratulations on making the switch off. It is amazing how much we use the inter tubes for everyday life now. It isn’t just for fun and games.
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  Yes, I love the Silva Spoon! And, yes, it caught me how much we just need to look something up on our phone or computer just for information these days.
http://coloursofsunset.wordpress.com/ Aroha @ Colours of Sunset

I *love* your family schedule boards! Where did you get them!?!? And I think you look fantastic as a redhead! Well done on switching off for 24 hours! Did it make you want to do it again?
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  I’d love to do the social media thing again – and probably will – but not having a phone to communicate with my teens and husband was a little tricky!
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au/ Nikki Parkinson
  
  PS. The wall stickers are from Decorating Heaven: http://www.decor.net.au/shop/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=1747