Bringing the Outback Back to the Office: luxury redefined

Two weeks. No internet. Just me, my husband, Australian red dirt, and a sky full of stars. Actually traffic jam of stars and shooting stars. No light pollution. Luxury, it turns out, is a relative term. It’s not a five-star hotel or the latest gadget. It’s the warmth of a crackling fire when the temperature plummets. We had frost inside the car! It’s the taste of lukewarm water, as the gaz stove as not really working early morning, a precious commodity in this arid land. We so need to be aware of the rubbish we produce as we had to carry it for days...Anyway, our thinking had to readjust... Being mindful of everything, especially of our speed as kangaroos, wild pigs and feral goats or emus are crossing the road spontaneously. We are crossing heir habitat after all.

We intentionally sought out a place where the internet was non-existent. No temptation, just pure, uninterrupted solitude. This, we discovered, was the ultimate luxury.

I’ve swapped the constant ping of notifications for the rhythmic sound of our tires on the dirt road, red sand. No one for 400 kms or for a ew days. The endless scroll has been replaced by the vast expanse of the outback. And you know what? It’s been truly glorious.

When we meet another four wheel drive in the bush / outback, we wave at each other. When we stop on the side of the road on days we see a car, that person always stopped to ask if we have any mechanical issues. I miss this act of kindness, the mate culture as the aussies describe it... It s like we rediscover that human are actually prone to help and kind.. What a nice mental break away from the constant negative news. What if we bring that back to the office and care for each other? Why do we need to look in trouble on the road to receive positive attention? Interesting that we have not seen a single 4x4 we see often in the city.... probably designed for the city...

After the rain, the outback transformed into a surreal wonderland. Hundreds of kangaroos and emus bounced and strutted across a carpet of wildflowers. At first I have thought it was frost but it turned out to be desert flowers. It was like being in a nature documentary. But the beauty was tinged with a healthy dose of fear. Every dirt road was a potential bog, and I found myself constantly on edge. Each time we see water on the road, we had to do the basic: check out the depth, what other tracks can we take or make. Thankfully, our trusty vehicle held strong, also because we dont want to experience the feeling of being bogged and stranded for days in an arid area with noone to towe the car etc.

This experience has been a stark reminder to appreciate what we have before it’s gone. A car breakdown in the middle of nowhere would’ve been a nightmare. Good health is something we often take for granted until it’s challenged. Out here, the basics – a working vehicle, food, water – become luxuries.

It’s fascinating how this digital detox aligns with growing research on #gratitude. Studies have shown that cultivating gratitude can significantly reduce stress, improve sleep, and boost overall well-being. Here, in the heart of the outback, I’ve had plenty of time for practicing mindfulness: from mindful watching (seeing wedged tail eagles to emus to kangaroos..). Every sunrise, every clear night sky, every warm meal has been a moment of pure gratitude.

Disconnecting from the digital world has also given me the precious gift of time. Time to meditate, to slow down, to lose myself in a good book - reading "Guilty feminist", to simply think. It’s been a chance to recharge, to reflect, and to strategize. This quiet space has allowed me to see old problems from new angles and to envision fresh approaches. It's like hitting the reset button on my brain. So many podcasts on neuroscience and psychology I downloaded before the trip...

As I reflect on my leadership style, I realize that this newfound appreciation for simplicity and presence is something I want to bring back to the office. Less reactive, more intentional. More listening, less talking. A focus on building genuine connections, rather than just checking boxes.

There’s a saying that goes, "You can't pour from an empty cup." This time in the outback has been like filling my cup to the brim. I’m returning to work with a renewed sense of purpose and a toolkit of resilience. I'm excited to experiment with incorporating more gratitude practices into my daily routine, both personally and professionally.

Who knows, maybe I’ll even suggest a company-wide digital detox retreat!

My

We run leadership retreats in Vietnam Laos and Australia; coaching 1 on 1, and transformative facilitation in leadership.

Author, Tedx speaker, consultant on leadership, Lego Serious Play certified www.equestasia.com.au