Switching Off In The Digital Age

Breaking news: I have just returned from holiday. I say holiday, it was essentially just two days of walking in the Lake District, but very pleasant it was too and thank you for asking. Now, the thing is you see, I really don't know what constitutes a holiday any more. When I was a child I used to think that the key factor in determining whether or not you are on ‘holiday' is whether you were in fact abroad or still in the UK. As a child, sitting on a beach on some Balearic island, playing in the surf I was very much aware that I was on ‘holiday'. As a child, sitting in a campsite in Bognor Regis watching the drizzle, I was very much aware that I was ‘not'. (Actually, my parents were on the whole loving and caring enough to keep UK based ‘holidays' to an absolute minimum)

However, given the recession induced popularity of UK ‘holidays' and (more to the point), a good friend's offer to share an idyllic Lakeland cottage for some walking (The Kentmere Horseshoe if you must ask!), I was forced to question my previously adamant belief on the classification of what is and what is not a ‘holiday'. The exquisite beauty and serenity of the Lakeland Cottage was certainly a nudge in the direction of ‘holiday' despite my pre-pubescent beliefs. It may not have been ‘abroad', did not have a pool and at no point, at least not knowingly, did I grumble about having sand in my underpants; however, it said holiday to me in every other regard.

Also, it was only actually two full days off, but genuinely I wasn't too bothered about that either, it would still be a ‘holiday'. The problem was, as I understand is increasingly the case for a great proportion of the modern generation - switching off. It's just so hard, isn't it. We are now accustomed to being able to have what you want when you want it, on demand, 24-7. That goes for work too. On Blackberry or iPhone, I am constantly aware of what is going on at the office and regardless of where I am or the time of day, I have to make a conscious and often very difficult decision to switch off. However, it's like an itch you are trying not to scratch. The iPhone is always there winking at you, hitching it's skirt and offering a quick glimpse of forbidden work emails. Blasted thing. Really, it wasn't a holiday at all. I just spent the time looking at emails or worrying that I hadn't looked at emails for half an hour.

So, the new classification of ‘holiday' is anywhere geographically or technologically remote that you cannot access this curse of modernity. The good news is for Christmas this year, my girlfriend and I have just booked a week in the 1890's and I just can't wait.

Latest Blog Posts