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That desire to be unreachable for a little while. To put all those “to-do” lists on hold for a moment. Does that sound familiar?
You just want to breathe and let time tick by, without that heavy feeling of guilt weighing on your chest. But as soon as you try to make that a reality, thoughts creep in that convince you this isn’t the right time. A project for later, when...
... the kids are a little older.
... caring for my aging parents becomes a little less demanding.
... I retire.
.... that important project at work is finished...
And yet we know how important it is to be able to be “unreachable.” In Belgium, the right to disconnect has even been enshrined in law since 2023. As an employee, you have the right to be digitally disconnected from work outside of working hours. The goal: less stress, less burnout.
The digital world is changing at breakneck speed. It’s getting harder and harder not to let that little computer take the wheel of our lives. Just ask a search engine how many hours the average person spends looking at a screen each day. You’ll be blown away.
What if you gave yourself the chance—or maybe even the challenge—to go offline for a while? And turned it into a moment to recharge?
Join in on the fun. How can you give yourself a moment to disconnect?
Maybe you're a big dreamer. If so, try looking at things on a smaller scale. Or are you a cautious dreamer? If so, try thinking bigger.
Ask yourself: What might actually be possible for me, right now?
Can you do it for a few hours? Or maybe even a few days?
Since we know it’s not so easy to start from scratch, I’ve put together two “starter kits” for you. A starting point that you can make your own and build on. I’ll work with you to figure out how to make this work in practice and how you can disconnect without feeling guilty.
The "A Few Hours" Plan—The Disconnection Splash
For those who can only spare a few hours and are looking for a brief but powerful reconnection.
Cell Phone
- Make a commitment not to touch your cell phone. If possible, leave your cell phone at home. If that’s not possible, put it away during your time away from your phone.
- Let your closest friends and family know that you're going offline. If it puts your mind at ease, you can tell them where they can find you.
Alternatives
- Most people use their cell phones to check the time. So remember to bring a watch or a small clock with you.
- If you'd like to make a purchase, don't forget to bring your physical payment card or cash.
Ready to take the plunge—now what?
- Choose a place where you feel good. It could be outdoors, surrounded by nature, but it could also be at home or at your favorite square in the city.
- Think ahead about what you'd like to do during these hours. Get ready. Bring a good book, pencils, paper, a pen, knitting needles, a deck of cards—or nothing at all.
- Make it cozy and comfortable. You might want to bring that soft blanket along!
The Short-Stay Package - The Disconnection Dive
For those who can only take a few days off and really want to recharge.
Use the preparations for the “disconnection splash” described above and add the following:
Make a plan
- How do you want to spend these days?
Will you rent a treehouse somewhere in nature? Or would you rather go on a city trip? Do you like to stay active with a multi-day hiking trip, or have you always wanted to try bike packing?
Accessibility
- Now that you’ve chosen a plan and a destination, the next step is transportation. How will you get to the place where you’re going to unwind? Check the bus schedule, print your plane tickets, buy a road map, or sketch out a rough map.
- If you want to make sure you can be reached if necessary during those days, think about which emergency number you can give to friends or family.
True to Yourself
- Take a moment to think about which features on your cell phone are especially important to you. Can you—and do you want to—replace them? For example, consider whether you need an alternative to your playlist.
Bonus tip
- Give yourself the chance to let the hours slip by “pointlessly”—don’t overbook your schedule.
Next Steps
Build on these “starter kits” and make them your own, tailored specifically to who you are.
If you find it difficult to take a moment to disconnect on your own, think about who you could bring along to share this experience with.
Or do you really think a few hours is too much? Why not start with half an hour, then?
Make it a fun experience, give yourself permission to do this, and shift from “virtual” focus to “physical” reality—from disconnecting to reconnecting with yourself. Have fun!
Are you seeing more and more signs of burnout or absenteeism within your organization? We’d be happy to help you figure out how organizations can identify these signs early on and provide timely support to employees. Schedule a meeting using the button below.
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