If you’ve taken a flight anywhere you are probably familiar with a few of the what to do in case of emergency rules. Rule #1? If the oxygen mask falls down you must apply yours first. Another rule that has popped up in recent years is turning off your cell phone during landing and takeoff. Maybe you don’t turn yours off but do what I do, which is switch into Airplane Mode.
Once I put my phone in Airplane Mode thats my cue to settle in for the flight and be in the moment. For me that means getting comfy and settling in with a book with absolutely no interruptions other than being asked if I’d like a beverage. GLORIOUS!
These days, traveling, with its delays, lines, and heightened security, can be stressful…and yet I have mostly positive associations with it. I realized that was due to Airplane Mode. No calls, emails, social media, texts, or other notifications pinging incessantly, demanding attention, taking me out of the moment. In airplane mode, I can simply be however I want to be, do whatever I want to do. Whether I listen to music, meditate, gaze out the window, talk to my travel companion or read one of the many, many books I’ve been meaning to carve out time for, it’s me-time.
As an entrepreneur I couldn’t grow my businesses without technology. And yet, at times I’ve found myself resenting the very thing I’m so thankful for and have been able to build my businesses on and community around. Technology (my phone) has slowly been seeping into areas it doesn’t belong: Weekends, date nights, evenings, bed, and almost every dinner party I’ve been invited to lately. (I’m sorry but food is just so photographable!)
I’ve always been outgoing, and I love both the personal connection and business-building opportunities of social media, but I also found that what I was craving and needing was more time in Airplane Mode. I need to unplug — literally and metaphorically — in order to recharge my energetic batteries.
My top 3 ways to encourage & survive Airplane Mode:
- When out to dinner with friends, make putting phones away and in Airplane Mode a competition. Put all of the phones in one bag or the middle of the table and whoever breaks the being present, airplane mode rule covers the tab!
- I’m a storyteller for my company Organic Bath Co., and a big part of that storytelling includes pictures. If I’m going somewhere especially picturesque or want to capture a moment, I remind myself it does not need to be uploaded immediately and save for later. In a world that is increasingly focused on instant gratification, give yourself the gift of savoring the moment.
- Sacred time ALWAYS gets Airplane Mode. In today’s day and age of connectivity is it feasible to spend the majority of the day in Airplane Mode? No. However, we all have rituals that hopefully bring us peace. Maybe that’s family dinner, walking the dog, or gym time. Make that time your daily Airplane Mode time…no emails, no social media, no anything.
Gianne Doherty is the founder of the W.E.L.L. Summit (the 1st of its kind wellness conference in the US) which provides a 360 degree view of WELLness and the Co-founder of Organic Bath Co., a leading organic skincare company at the forefront of the clean beauty movement. When not in Airplane Mode, you can find Gianne on Instagram at @gianne_d or @wellsummit @organicbath. #SlideIntoAirplaneMode
Originally published at medium.com