I usually know it’s time to unplug when I can see my mood souring and I can sense the joy slipping out of my everyday life. When I can’t tell the difference between work and home and when I feel distant from the Lord, it’s time to pull back and get myself recentered.

For that to happen, I have to be intentional.

Intentional Unplugging

At the forefront has to be boundaries. I have always tended to bring my work home with me, and as a teacher, if I didn’t work at home, I don’t think I’d ever get everything done. But I’m finding that I need to leave the school behind more and more so that I can focus on my dog and my wife, Daryl, or to get on the phone with my buddy, Scott, or my daughter, Lizzi. One thing I learned from my stepmother is to put the phone away during meals and during dedicated family time.

Reconnecting with Loved Ones

Family is a top priority for me. The most important people in my life are Daryl, Lizzi and my grandson, Sully. Any time spent with them is special, and I’m trying more and more to make the times we spend together as memorable as possible. Those moments of connection help me step away from the digital world and recharge.

Engaging in Hobbies and Interests

We all need something fun to invest our time, especially things that don’t involve screens. I love to write, and unfortunately, there’s no way to do that without looking at a computer (like right now). But there are also books and time spent in solitude and meditation (which I should do a lot more). And, of course, I also have my walk with Christ, and spending time with Him is essential to unplugging and recentering. Ultimately, it’s all about making a conscious shift in my focus from what I need to do to nourish my soul and relationships.