Coming back from the clouds

Sunset over the Atlantic
July 2016

Just got home from an all-too-brief week away from the chaos that is the real world. For the first time in, well, ever, I disconnected. Didn't log into email, didn't tweet, didn't update my Facebook status, didn't read anyone else's either. I turned my ringer off, let calls go to voicemail, and made a single note in my calendar app to respond to them after I returned home.

I used technology, but mainly to check the weather (hot, humid, no rain), update my reading list and process my photos. The rest of my time was spent hanging with family, playing with dogs, and staring up at the clouds and hoping for rain. It was epic.

I've long advised others to draw a line on connectivity when they take a vacation, but somehow never followed my own advice. This year, something changed. And for that, I'm thankful.

This picture was grabbed quickly on the flight out, as the sun sank toward the horizon. I had the middle seat, and when the guy sitting there took time out from taking cringeworthy portrait-orientation snaps to hit the loo, I leaned over and got to work.

Because whether you're under the clouds looking up, or over them looking down, it's good for the soul to simply stare at them as they slip past. We all need a time-out now and again. And if we're going to use tech while we're away, it should be to immerse ourselves more deeply in the moment instead of trying to remain connected to the world we've temporarily left behind.

The world will still be there when we get back. Those moments? Not necessarily.

Your turn: How do you get away from it all?