Foggy Mountain Digital Detox
May 22, 2013
I am fed up with Facebook. I am slightly irritated by Instagram and now just plain tired of Twitter. I decided to take a digital detox into the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.
Overlooking Shenandoah Valley
All Photos & Videos by Matt Fortwengler
The electronic clutter of today’s world is unavoidable. I spend most of my hours glaring at a florescent screen and responding to social media messages. Slowly, I noticed 3 signs that I was developing a social media addiction: 1) my inability to focus, 2)my short attention span and 3) my constant need to be on or near a digital device. It was time to reconnect with what truly matters to me.
I shut down my cell phone, left the laptop and intentionally camped out in a no wi-fi zone. I needed to unplug from the matrix. Hiking into the “Little Devils’ Stairs” led us to waterfalls, moss filled rocks and peculiar little crawling creatures. Practicing yoga against old glacier rocks and cooling water streams offered up a beautiful backdrop for relaxation.
Starting the hike into the Foggy Mist
Finding the right spot for my meditation was easy. There were absolutely no signs of other humans and I felt no fear of the wildlife. I found a location and sat in a deep 20 minute meditation inhaling the fresh scents and exhaling any stressors.
Meditation by the Waterfall
After driving back into DC, I didn’t feel the need to hop online every 15 minutes. I remembered that I have a real life happening and I should take time to unplug.
Set up your own private digital detox! Unplugging is good for the brain, soothing for the heart and helps you return to your true self.
For more on designing your own weekend getaway:
http://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm
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You are such an inspiration! Continue to grow your life, for when you do that – you help others to grow their lives too. “Enjoy the journey”
Ms. Parker.
Hey Ms. Parker! Thanks for the kind words. We could all use a break from the daily grind! Shenandoah is nearby, inexpensive and never too crowded!
Sari
I recently had a very similar experience in the Shenandoah. So peaceful out there! Thanks for this post.
Kacy, We wandered through trail for hours and it felt so stress relieving. So nice to have an escape 1 hour from the big city!
Thanks for your comment:)
We definitely are too attached to our electronic accessories. In many cases it borders on addiction and isn’t real heal healthy. Getting away from it all and it all away from us is a great detox. And mountains and waterfalls will help the clearing all the more
Andrew I predict that more people will stray away from digital communication. More parks and silent beauty will be at a high premium.
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