In the United States, I have a pay as you go phone plan, because I do not use my phone very frequently. When I do, it is usually to check my email, the news, look for something on Google or for social media. With social media, I am far behind my peers, using only Facebook and Snapchat. A few months ago, I deleted the Facebook app from my phone, because I felt I was spending too much time on it. Due of my somewhat limited social media and phone usage, disconnecting is usually very easy for me. My only concern is getting in touch with people when important issues or emergencies arise.
Being in Copenhagen has been a great disconnecting experience. Due to the different time zones, I do not receive a constant stream of emails or messages. Instead, I only need to check twice a day – once in the morning and once in the afternoon. I used to dread checking my phone after four hour labs to discover 10+ emails in addition messages that demand responses. Now, only about half of the emails are no longer relevant to me when abroad. Of course, I still respond to emails that require my attention, but there is no longer the pressure to respond immediately. Once I return to the United States, I am considering forcing myself to get into the habit of checking my email only two to three times a day. It will probably be incredibly difficult, but studies have actually shown that too many emails decrease productivity. (Disclaimer: I would like to say that I am generally a reliable individual and that I do not shrink responsibilities.)
Furthermore, since people know that I am abroad, they only reach out to me when absolutely necessary. Therefore, I have fewer things to coordinate each day and fewer people to respond to. When in Copenhagen, it is all about working on our project and enjoying what the city has to offer. The ability to focus on the present is incredibly gratifying. As a Type A person who always needs to be doing something, I surprise myself in Copenhagen. I have adapted to a slower pace of life and often find myself wandering through parks. Something else that I have taken to doing recently, which has increased in frequency since coming to Copenhagen, is sitting outside to people or scenery watch.
I know that I will miss Copenhagen as soon as I leave in a week’s time, but what I dread more than leaving is going back to the ‘connected’ world. Granted, I will only be back in the ‘connected’ world for over a week before going on a 12-day hiking trip. Perhaps this will be a good opportunity to reset my habits. After all, if I was able to force myself to start going on morning runs in Copenhagen, surely I can change my impulse to check emails and messages?