Unconnected ~ Imagine No Internet or Cell for a Week

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For the past week, I was taken back to a simpler time in life. Back to a time with no cell phones, no Internet and almost no TV.  I was not stranded on a desert island, in jail or on the show Survivor.

I was on a spring break family vacation on a cruise in the Eastern Caribbean. And it was amazing.

We sailed on Oasis of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world. 6,200 passengers, over 2,000 crew members, dozens of restaurants and bars, many theaters and entertainment venues, and many pools and hot tubs. Plenty to do, much to see and enjoy.

Knowing that Internet was 55 cents a minute and using a cell was $2.50 a minute, I opted to shut off from the real world. The verdict, it was hard at first, but once I got used to it, extremely enjoyable.

For those who know me through MCP or more personally, you know that I am hooked in to email, Facebook, Twitter and staying connected every waking moment. I’m not a casual Internet user. So as with any addiction, the 1st few hours I was craving my iPhone, desiring to push send and receive. I wanted to share my experiences from my trip, show pictures, tell you funny quotes from my kids. I would reach for my phone or computer, and then remember, I was not connected.

After a day, it got easier. I started realizing that the world would be okay without me. My customers and followers with questions might need to search elsewhere for answers or wait for my return. Though I received a few panicked emails, most people would understand that after 10+ years of being connected hourly, I deserved a week off.

It was a genuine week off. I spent uninterrupted time with my family. I suspect that I didn’t use my usual line, “I’ll be there in a minutes.” Typically on vacation I still check email and correspond frequently with customers. When I take an annual trip to Northern Michigan (“Up North”), I still make my family wait as I finish up emailing and touching base with people.

This was much needed break and I highly recommend everyone trying to get offline for a week.  You may just be surprised how much you like it. I may even force myself to disconnect once a year and enjoy life at a simpler time.

I will share some of the snap shots I took later this week.  I took over 400 images, many with my point and shoot, and some with my Canon 5D MKII… Here is a sneak peek.

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  1. jen@odbt on April 12, 2010 at 8:16 pm

    Good for you! I had 2 days away from the online world b/c of broken router – an unintentional break but it was nice.

  2. Sheila Kurtz on April 13, 2010 at 1:16 pm

    I need it because I just learned how a wide angle can be great for portraits (never thought that before) after attending a workshop! I currently use 2.8 70-200 at about 85. I’m not lucky enough to have a full sensor body yet. What more can I say?? The lens ROCKS! This contest ROCKS!

  3. Brenda G on April 13, 2010 at 7:09 pm

    1. I love my photography, and am bit by bit expanding my horizons. I only have the one lens – a nifty fifty. This new lens would open up a whole new skyline for me!2. Right now it’s people – especially children – I’m photographing, but adding a zoom & wide angle lens to my kit would throw open my options.3. Well, only having a nifty fifty, my fave has to be 50mm, right? But I’m open to new experiences 🙂

  4. Colleen on April 14, 2010 at 10:17 pm

    OMG my son and I just went on this cruise over spring break. You got off the ship and we got on…What an amazing ship!!!!! This is my favorite ship so far!!!

    • Jodi Friedman, MCP Actions on April 14, 2010 at 10:29 pm

      actually, we may have been on at the same time… We got off the ship on the 9th… It has not yet been a week, hence why I am thinking you were on at the same time 🙂

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