10 Tips For Taking A Vacation From Social Media

I’m making the official call. Social Media is ubiquitous.

If you don’t know what that means, it means that everywhere you turn, social media is there.

On TV, in magazines, on the sides of buses, at work, at your kid’s soccer game, and in the bathroom stall next to you. Because we are becoming an “always on” society and are never more than 3 steps from our mobile devices and computers, social is invading everything we do.

You would think that at a beautiful beach like Hanauma Bay, Hawaii it would be easy to forget about social media

Case in point…try taking a vacation from social media. It’s nearly impossible.

Trust me, I tried. I recently took a family vacation to Hawaii and it seemed like I was tempted at every turn to check my accounts, share a photo, look up something on the Web, play a game on my mobile device, or search for a local restaurant or venue.

Believe me, it’s difficult to resist the temptation to check your Facebook feed, especially when you have your phone out to search Google Maps for the closest coffee shop.

Just a peek….who posted what? Who pinned what? Is that article that someone tweeted worth checking out?

It’s tempting, and I’m not saying I succeeded. In fact, I kinda failed which is what prompted me to write down my tips for taking a vacation from social media, both for myself and anyone else that might benefit.

So, here we go:

Tip #1 For Unplugging –  Turn off the email sync to your phone

If you’re like me, you get bombarded with emails from different social networks. By turning off the sync, you turn your phone back into a phone. Trust me, you can live without email for a week.

It IS possible. If someone needs you, they have your phone number. Then can text you…they can call you. The key, though, is to instill in your friends, family, and co-workers that you are on vacation and to call you with emergencies only.

Tip #2 For Unplugging – Set an out of office notification

Because you turned off your email, let people know they shouldn’t expect a response until after your vacation.

Give them an alternate person to contact for business. If you feel comfortable that they won’t abuse it, provide your mobile number for emergencies.

Personally…I don’t.

If you want to have a little fun, here are some examples of funny out-of-office messages.

Tip #3 For Unplugging – Tell your closest friends and family that you’re going off-the-grid

Sometimes my friends and family send me messages via Facebook, expecting that to be a formal channel of communication.

So, set the expectation that if they want you, to call you.

Tip #4 For Unplugging – Try to avoid using your phone, except for emergencies

Our smartphones have become tools in managing our vacations. We use them for online boarding passes, restaurant locators, maps/directions to popular tourist destinations, and leveraging the phone for GPS.

They’re great tools, but keep in mind that every time you pull your phone out of your purse or pocket, you’re going to be tempted to check email, Facebook, or Twitter.

Resist the temptation.

Tip #5 For Unplugging – Bring your digital camera

For a while, I was resisting the temptation to bring my digital camera on vacation, because I had my phone. It was easier to snap a shot with my phone and then upload it to Facebook to share with my friends and family.

By bringing my digital camera, I get a lot more photos at significantly higher quality, and I avoid the social media temptation.

Bringing your camera on vacation can help you resist the temptation to look at your phone and check your social media channels

Tip #6 For Unplugging – Wait to upload your photos until after your vacation

I know it’s tempting to share that photo of a beautiful beach with your co-workers who are back home suffering through 20 degree weather and snowstorms. Not only will it keep your cube from being trashed while you’re out, it will help avoid the temptation to tweet or post the photos.

Tip #7 For Unplugging – Buy a guidebook featuring popular restaurants, tourist destinations, maps, and travel tips

I know it seems old-fashioned, but having a physical book will help keep you off Google Maps, Yelp, and Urban Spoon. By using the book, you’ll get back to the basics of traveling, relying less on GPS and mobile technology.

Trust me, it sounds scary, but it can be a really good thing.

Tip #8 For Unplugging – Ask the locals

Want to find the best places to eat and visit? Stop relying on user reviews on the Web and mobile applications and ask the locals.

It’s amazing some of the great out-of-the-way places you can find just by asking the barista at a local coffee shop.

Tip #9 For Unplugging – Plan before you go

Do your research on the Web before you get to your vacation destination.

Create a journal or log book that contains information about the places you want to visit. If necessary, print out directions and information and put them in the log book. The great thing about this approach is you never have to plug in a log book, so you always have access to your information.

Just remember to recycle the paper once the vacation is over if you don’t need it anymore.

Create a physical log book or journal of the places you want to visit to avoid checking your phone and social networks

Tip #10 For Unplugging – Finally…my best piece of advice. Bring a couple good books

Yes, books.

Actual, physical, paper books. Not eBooks, not PDFs loaded onto your iPad or tablet.Not audio books loaded to your Audible app.

By bringing physical books, you won’t be tempted to switch over to Facebook after finishing a chapter on your iPad or tablet. While I love reading on my mobile device, I am really glad I brought physical books on my most recent vacation.

Sand can be blown out of a book, not so much from the ports on a mobile device.

Bring a book to the beach instead of your phone, so you aren’t tempted to check your social networks

One other note that I think everyone should be aware of. DON’T announce that you are on vacation to all of your social networks. There’s nothing like announcing that you are away from your home to alert would-be thieves to come rob your house. Keep it to yourself and those of your friends or family that need to know.

I hope these are helpful to anyone preparing for an upcoming vacation. If you have experiences, suggestions, or tips on how to take a vacation from your social channels, feel free to add to the list by submitting a comment!

Cheers!

–Sean

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