In a world that’s constantly connected, sometimes the greatest act of rebellion is to disconnect so we can reconnect with our own inner world, our inner wisdom, and our deeper truths.
–Unknown
We live in curious times. It’s called the “Age of Information, but in another light, it can be called the Age of Distraction. While humanity has never been free of distraction – never have the distractions been so voluminous, so overwhelming, so intense, so persistent as they are now. We have forgotten how to slow down.
Clash of the Titans: Well-Being vs FOMO
Ah, FOMO, the ever-present fear of missing out. It’s a common feeling in our hyper-connected world, fueled by social media and the constant barrage of information about other people’s exciting experiences. Evidence strongly suggests that taking breaks from our digital devices can significantly benefit our mental and physical health. Yet despite the benefits, few ever actually take that elusive break.
Step back and think for a moment – who do you know (including yourself) that has really (I mean really) gone the extra mile to make it happen? When was the last time you went an entire day without checking email, X/Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or any other social media channel?
And if you did, was “even just a glance” really enough to get by? What did you miss? How much time did it take to get back on track? Too long, you say? What did you learn or accomplish? Will you do it again, and if so, for how long next time? Or is it simply easier to go with the flow and settle for the “status quo?”
Unplugged: Disconnecting to Reconnect
It sounds like a contradiction, but sometimes you have to disconnect to reconnect. Disconnect – both physically and emotionally – from all those devices, apps, and virtual worlds that constantly steal our attention, satisfying our inexplicable fear of missing something. And reconnect with the real world, with the people we are closest to but leave out, with those activities and experiences that don’t need a screen to be memorable.
Going, Going, Gone: Walking Our Talk (May 15th – July 15th)
Yup – as Chief ReImaginator for the global media site, I’ve got a bottomless bucket full of reasonable and rational justifications as to why the concept of and rationale for a digital detox doesn’t apply to me or us, why it simply wouldn’t be practical or possible. But as they say in my wife Ali’s home country of Great Britain, “rubbish” to all that. It’s time for us to walk our talk. No, not for just a few hours, a few days, a few weeks, or as extreme as an entire year – but for eight glorious weeks commencing May 15th, 2024. YES, our Site will still be up and running. YES, our 31,000-plus Article Archives will continue to be accessible. But NO to NEW publishing, NO to email responses, NO to anything compromising our quest to reconnect with each other and what’s really important –until we return on Monday, July 15th.
Finding Our Way
Coddiwomple has become one of my all-time favorite words, especially as a metaphor for life. It means to travel purposefully towards an as-yet-unknown destination. Isn’t that what we’re all doing, at the end of the day? Coddiwompling doesn’t mean a lack of direction; quite the opposite. A coddiwompler has peace of mind because they’re not waiting to “become” someone or for something else to happen. They’re comfortable getting lost because they know that’s where the truly worthwhile opportunities and Ahas are to be found.
Our particular coddiwomple will take us over 4,000 miles away from it all, as we begin our 500+ mile walk (“pilgrimage”) across the storied Camino de Santiago. The Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James) is an extensive network of ancient pilgrim routes stretching across Europe and coming together at the tomb of St. James (Santiago in Spanish) in Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain.
We’ll be walking “The French Way” or the Camino Franc’es, with the most deep-rooted historical tradition and the most popular one. The Camino Frances is the most famous Camino de Santiago trail, featured in books and movies about the Camino, such as ‘The Way’ with Martin Sheen and ‘The Pilgrimage’ by Paulo Coelho. It stretches over 500 miles from St. Jean-Pied-du-Port near Biarritz in France to Santiago.
The pilgrimage of Camino de Santiago is indeed, our microcosm of coddiwompling. But unlike many, we know that it’s not the real journey. The real Camino is our inner journey. It’s peeling back the layers of who we are. It’s an opportunity to get lost in our thoughts, to gain fresh clarity about our values and priorities, to let go of what no longer serves us… leaving it on the trail. Because when the Camino de Santiago ends, the real Camino (of life) begins. … And that’s our “why” for finding our “Way”.
Unplugging for 2 months nowadays is the bravest thing to do for people like you and me and our community who found each other at – also known as kind of evil- social media platforms. I am always torn between spending time online -seeing my friends, their children in far away lands whom I never met, learning more about my craft, learn what is going on in my local community, being connected to family very far away from me and many other joys it brings me AND also the strain it has on me because we are plugged all the time with channel overload! My dream is to do something like you and Ali soon enough. Have a wonderful great walk. I am sure it will change you in the best of ways.
Your sentiment is right on target, my friend, as there exists a never-ending tug-of-war between social media, fomo, and all else. We are truly blessed to be able to choose to disconnect to reconnect for such a long time. Whatever we miss on Social media will still be there when we return. Whatever we gain by reconnecting with each other and what’s really important will be with us for a lifetime… Thank you for your good wishes, Brooke – see you on the other side!
DenAli, as I sit in front of my Mac crafting a response the aspiration behind your journey stands out in stark relief. Too often, I believe, we forget that staring at the screen all day, and into the night at times, is a choice. Mariah and I wish you a buen viaje. Stay well, stay inspired, stay open to whatever the Camino whispers or yells, and just have a fine and fulfilling coddiwomple, my friends. Also, as our Spanish speaking amigos say, Fuerte Abrazos!
What a refreshing perspective, Byron … And yes, it is a choice how, when, where, and IF we wish to connect. In our case, we are simply grateful and simply blessed to be able to disconnect to reconnect with each other for such an extended time –and lost in the wilderness of possibilities… Thanks for the good wishes. Buen Camino, my friend!
Dennis, Enjoy the break. We all need this from time to time. I can’t help thinking this might be a great topic to ask the 360 Community. By that I mean asking the question, ‘How do you keep today’s world from overwhelming you.”
Great (and oh so timely question), Clark … We all need to find our “third place” or at least invest time in disconnecting to reconnect, even if only for a day, a weekend, a week, whatever. Thanks for adding value here!
Happy soul searching and regenerating. Mother Earth is a great inspirer. Blessings on the journey, Loreexx
Blessings Dennis and Ali, having walked the Camino myself, you are correct that the journey is not the Camino itself but what comes out of it for each one. I felt so much while i was struggling in different ways to put to peace all that was jumbled up inside. I accomplish more than I thought and it has stayed with me since. Enjoy, remain safe, travel carefully and may God be with you both.
Thanks, Lynn. We’re look forward to discovering so much more with less!
Kudos to you my beloved brother and to Lady Ali-gal.
FOMO is just FUBAR! I wish both of you a DElightful coddiwomple of silence when God speaks the loudest to your hearts and He nourishes your souls. Vias Con Dios!
Codiwomplers unite! Thanks, Danny…
Hi Dennis,
This is such an important post and inspiring one.
I shall write a post on this post for BIZC and mention this post in it. A comment is insufficient to express my admiration of this post
I agree with everything you write.
Personally, I have never been completely absorbed by technology, although I have often felt the need to be alone for a while without a PC or Smart Phone.
If these breaks coincide with a journey like the one you talk about in your story here, then you will be able to feel that charm, that inexplicable “magic” that almost prevents you from crystallizing in simple words the value of this experience, which will be full of simple episodes. – but at the same time unforgettable – during which you will meet people who will surprise you.
In short, it will be a journey in the most complete and profound sense of the word, a journey that you will not only take with your body, but also with your soul and mind.
The Camino is in fact pervaded by an atmosphere that induces meditation and contemplation and the long stretches of “solitude” in areas such as the meseta (vast cultivated plateau) or in the immense territories along the Cammino de La Plata, are certainly ideal for dig deep into your soul and plan a new beginning. But you will have the opportunity to talk to people with different points of view and experiences, and this discussion could open new doors and provide you with new ways of addressing your concerns.
HAPPY TRIP, from the bottom of my heart!!
Grateful, my friend Aldo – it will be an amazing adventure …