Reclaiming the Rhythm: Embracing the Slow Pace of Life in Jamaica with Island Time
Sometimes you hear about island time and it immediately conjures images of people being people late for work or late for their appointments with various service providers and that means your appointment gets pushed back and your entire day gets out of balance and it just sucks. But what if we reclaimed ‘island time’ and made it into something positive that reflects taking things slower and being more intentional with our time. Wouldn’t that sound good? Island time could mean being deliberate about our time and disconnecting and embracing a slower pace of life.
Let’s tackle digital detoxing and enjoying the simple pleasures of life in Jamaica.
What’s a Digital Detox?
A digital detox is a period of time when someone refrains from using electronic devices connected to the internet, such as smartphones and computers. It can also include social media sites and televisions
How To Enjoy a Digital Detox?
An easy way to ease into a digital detox is to enjoy a device-free weekend. Here are some tips to get you started on a digital detox.
Schedule time away from screens: Set aside time throughout the day to avoid screens. You can also take periodic breaks from technology. You could try phone-free morning each weekend morning.
Turn off notifications: Notifications are designed to interrupt your focus and draw you to the app. So try turning off the notifications on your phone.
Find alternative activities: You can explore your surroundings, read a book, or start a new hobby. We 100% recommend reading a book and even your Kindle counts a digital device so get comfortable with a physical book for the weekend.
Keep a detox journal: Writing down or drawing how you are feeling and what made you happy can help increase happiness and lower stress.
Set a time limit: Choose certain times of the day when you will avoid digital screens. You can also limit your time on apps that you tend to use a lot.
Create a team or get an accountability partner: Challenge your friends and family to join you for the digital detox weekend. A level of accountability and some support will keep you on course.
Delete apps: Consider deleting unnecessary social media apps from your phone or pause the app for the weekend and see how you feel.
The Simple Pleasures of Life in Jamaica
The island is beautiful and you spend your digital detox weekend outdoors. A day at the beach is one option, or a day in a botanical garden, or going hiking in the Blue Mountains are a few options to enjoy the simple pleasures of life.
I highly recommend going to Holywell and going hiking, there are several trails that are stunning and it is perfect for getting a getaway from the bustle of Kingston and St Andrew. Another space where you can embrace the simple pleasures of a slow life is to go to Hope Gardens for an afternoon.
There are benefits to enjoying a digital detox and you can always ease your way into one by doing a digital detox weekend. You can even take it slower and enjoy a phone-free and TV-free Saturday morning, eat a slow breakfast and sip your coffee and don’t look at your phone until noon. Try it.
Let me know if you’ve tried a digital detox? How was it? How long did you go without devices?
What are your simple pleasures?
Chantel DaCosta
Chantel DaCosta is a storyteller, editor and lifestyle content creator. She is passionate about Jamaican women's own voices narratives and journeys to mindfulness.
