Checked out.
Scott Nelson
Communication Strategist - / Director / Investor / Podcaster / tpr.media - ols australia - kltd.io - ndv.capital - all red everything podcast - bellmott beverages - kiin space podcast
As I write this, I am slowly checking back in, but it's the reflection of the past two weeks on my mind this morning.
For the first time in over 10 years, I turned off my phone and went on holiday with my family. It's not just business owners, everyone knows the shrill beep of a phone and the shudder it can cause. When away with my family, I never fully take my hand off the wheel, always just a message or a call away to solve any pressing matters at a moment's notice.
This January it was different. There was nothing left to give.
The last twelve months took everything and a little bit more. It wasn't all doom and gloom, there were plenty of wonderful things that happened. Those last three months of the year when I finished landscaping our new home, was by my side at my brother Tim's wedding to his partner Jaclyn, then filming the EPK and creating the new TVC for Disney's Frozen the Musical in Sydney in December - I'd given it everything I had.
Christmas and new year was a blur of friends, family and sleep. Lots of sleep. I was exhausted. Then before we knew it, we were back in the office. It was too much.
On the 14th of January after the latest snap lockdown, I boarded a plane to Airlie beach with my wife and my son to spend some time together.
Things didn't change until we picked up our charter yacht. As I sailed across the Whitsunday Passage, something magical happened. My phone lost signal, so I decided to switch it off.
I hadn't planned for a technology-free holiday, it was forced on me.
As a heavy phone user, it was strange to get used to. As the days passed, it became easier, I became lighter as the connectivity struggles disappeared. The challenges of our day involved pouring over the navigational charts, mapping our journey, and watching the weather and the tides.
It was something special, to be fully present with my family as we worked together navigating our yacht around Whitsundays.
The final days of the trip we spent moored at Hamilton Island, my son was obsessed with the Raymarine "sat nav" as he referred to it. At the tender age of 5, he could work that system like a wizard. He would even spot oncoming traffic on the water via the nav before I'd even picked it up. As we approached Hamilton Island, he said to me, "look daddy, internet!" I glanced at the map in front of him and lo and behold he had spotted a communications tower marked on the map.
He was delighted to catch up on some of his favorite shows, but I was content to stay offline. In fact, I was starting to realise that I'd have to turn it on again soon.
These few days opened my eyes to the addictive and all-consuming nature of our devices, both a modern miracle and a curse. It also showed me how transformative it can be to separate yourself from it.
Speaking with my parents at Christmas, I was discussing the "always-on" nature of the modern world. My father, who ran his own business for over 40 years was reflecting on the fact that he was able to simply lock the door of his building and that was it. He would take five weeks off over Christmas.
I love the fact that I can research anything I need at any time, the connectivity, the open access to information. It's incredible. However, leaving it behind and being fully present with my family is something that I am going to keep working on.
It's absolutely worth it.