How to switch off digitally these holidays to be present with family and friends

Influencer Tim Abbott’s days are spent presenting, podcasting, and creating content for Instagram and TikTok.

So taking what Tim calls “annual leave” from social media is an important part of how he unwinds.

We share some tips from the Gadigal Country/Sydney-based creator, along with several other people we have spoken to as part of our Unwind with… series, about switching off digitally these holidays.

Deleting apps from your phone…

“I find it helpful to take annual leave from social media,” Tim says.

“We tend to associate a social media detox with a way to deal with anxiety or depression, but I think being in a good place and wanting to spend time with friends can be the motivation.

“I have great periods of time without any of the social media apps on my phone. Because Instagram has a desktop app, I can use that for my work.”

Start small…

Writer Daneille Gay has a tip if you’re not ready to go totally phone-free these holidays.

“I have a rule where I don’t allow phones in the bedroom. I put my phone on sleep mode and charge it outside the bedroom. I have a little alarm clock — that’s everyone’s first question.

“I like to go to bed at 9pm, read for an hour and sleep by 10. I find if I take my phone with me, I will just scroll on it like everyone else.

“Through the day, I’m a bit more forgiving with myself because it’s part of my job, but I do set app limits using settings. I allow myself 15 minutes for TikTok and Facebook Messenger, and 30 minutes for Instagram. I snooze the Instagram one sometimes.”

Take a digi camera instead…

When podcast host Victoria Vanstone and her family go away anywhere, they leave phones at home.

“We went to Thailand for six weeks last year and no-one was allowed a phone. I took a digital camera with me and we were offline the entire time it was absolutely wonderful — we had to ask the locals for directions and wing our way around.

“Occasionally we had to log in to let people know we are OK, but we were mostly quite smug because our kids were playing on the beach having a great time while there were kids all around us staring at a device in a tropical paradise.”

Grab a book…

Australian of the Year for 2023 Taryn Brumfitt tries to swap her phone for a book wherever she can.

“I have long had this thought that if aliens landed on the planet, they would wonder what we are holding onto. It’s so normalised to always be on our phones, but about four months ago I started taking a book everywhere.

“I used to also only ever run or walk with either a podcast or music, but now during my morning walk it’s just me and the sounds of nature and I find that’s when I get the best ideas.”

Pay attention to your surroundings…

It’s easy to reach for our phone in quiet moments, but recipe developer and food photographer Lina Jebeile makes sure to tune into her surroundings instead.

“My work relies on using social media, so I do find it difficult to switch off.

“I’ll often go to The Australian Botanic Garden and sit by the lake and listen to sounds of wildlife. It’s the most serene atmosphere and instantly rejuvenates.”