What Happens When A Blogger Logs Off?

As a blogger, my working day starts as soon as I open my eyes; I check my emails, then my Instagram and Facebook to see who’s liked or commented on my posts. Even before breakfast, my head is whirring, thinking about what I have to publish that day and what kind of content I want to share with my 7.6 million followers.

Doing my hair, make-up and changing my clothes takes me around an hour because, in any one day, I’ll post two or three selfies on Instagram and one on FB. It might sound like ages, but compared to some bloggers I’m very low-maintenance – something people are very surprised to hear! Then there are a few Instastories and Snapchats to do... If it’s fashion week, the number doubles.

As well as taking and posting shots of myself, I collaborate with fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands, meaning I have to thrash out deals with them, then post sponsored pictures at a specific time to fit with their contract.

But it’s not all work. Like most of us, sometimes I stay on my phone for hours just scrolling on Instagram and Twitter for no particular reason. So yes, I am addicted to my phone and very aware of how unhealthy my digital consumption is. But I miss my phone if I don’t have it next to me; my business and private life go through it. I do try to leave the phone screen down during face-to-face meetings or when I’m having a meal with someone, otherwise it’s rude but, ultimately, as I live alone, my phone is my connection to the world.

I hated the idea of a digital detox. It was more than tough, it was actually frightening. And lonely. Technology has become my way of interacting with the outside world. Not only was I panicked about missing out on work opportunities but I had almost forgotten what life is like without continuous uninterrupted access to social media.

It was hard not seeing what was going on in my Insta world. How were my posts doing? What were my followers liking? What were their comments? It wasn’t so much that I missed their compliments or their likes per se – fewer likes don’t affect my self-confidence – but I engage so much with my followers, it was weird not being there for them. I missed the interaction with my community, their feedback and ideas. It’s a digital friendship after all. It was odd to be without it.

There were upsides, though. I started looking up and paying more attention to my environment – I noticed people more, their expressions, their moods. And architecture – things I would normally not absorb as I was too busy looking at my feeds while walking around.

I also didn’t feel the pressure to wear a lot of make-up as I knew I wasn’t going to be photographed for social media. I didn’t feel the need to be ‘on’ and it was great to let my skin breathe. I felt good about myself and I absolutely loved it. It was the same with what I wore. It was track pants, hoodies, gym clothes and trainers all the way.

Image: @xenia

My friends and family loved that I was fully engaged with them. My best friend was telling everyone that she had never seen me so focused on her (often long!) stories. She is right, we did have an incredible time without my phone. It was a much more intense interaction.

In those two days, I also read more (a book I was trying to nish and magazines), I worked out, took walks in the park... things I never normally do. Plus I found I did need to spend more time with real-world friends as I felt lonely without a tool to connect with them.

And I was never late to meet them, either – because I knew I couldn’t text to say I was running behind. But I did miss not taking taking Ubers! I realised I’m completely dependent on them.

So I’ll admit, I was relieved when I could get back to technology. My work suffered as my agents and assistant had to handle a lot of brand requests without me there to discuss them. That might sound over the top, but this is my job, my business – could you shut down your business completely for a few days with absolutely no connection? My social media has a naturally high engagement and my fan base counts on me to provide content. But regaining some human connection was fantastic. Plus my sleep is significantly better, and I have become more mindful and focused on everything I do. I also feel I’m now in control of my phone, instead of my phone controlling me. I now decide when to look at it and when to answer – not just because it rings or I get a notification.

READ MORE: How To Digital Detox: A Beginner's Guide

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