Over the last month I’ve been talking with many of my health coaching clients about what they would like to see in their lives in 2020 and what they would like their theme of 2020 to be.  Many spoke of their desire to simplify, to connect more authentically to others and to themselves and a desire to slow down and to be more present in their lives. Many also spoke of the impact of media and technology on perpetuating the speed and frenetic energy of their lives and described feeling powerless around taking back their time, energy and attention.  

More and more it seems our lives are dictated by other people’s agendas, schedules or needs.  Our time is driven by email and squandered by social media. Our energy is depleted by the constant barrage of violence and negativity in the news.  How can we reclaim our time, energy and attention and move toward a life of simplicity?  

One action we can take is to engage in a digital detox. Typically a digital detox refers to a period of time when a person voluntarily refrains from using digital devices such as smartphones, computers, and social media platforms.  For the month of January, Middlebury College is promoting a slightly different version of a digital detox aimed at supporting us to take back our attention. The 2020 Detox will offer two email-based newsletters in the month of January filled with information, reflections, activities, and resources to help you engage with this topic.  For more information, and/or to sign up for the newsletters, visit the Middlebury College 2020 Digital Detox page.  Take action now to make 2020 the year you begin to simplify and take back your energy and attention.