Do you feel it’s still possible finding peace beyond the digital tether in our lives?

Returning home to Michigan brings forth a cascade of emotions for me. While the joy of reuniting with family and reliving the memories of my upbringing fills me with happiness, a hint of anxiety creeps in. It’s not due to seeing my loved ones but the prospect of being entirely “unplugged” upon arrival. In my mother’s home, there are no signals—no Wi-Fi, no cell reception—effectively disconnecting me from the digital world.

Initially, the separation triggers unease and withdrawal symptoms for a few days. Questions loom large: What if I miss important emails or texts? How will I keep tabs on social media? The reliance on Google for even the simplest tasks feels absent.

Yet, something remarkable happens by the third or fourth day. I grow comfortable living without the constant buzz of technology. Freed from obligations, I realize it’s a vacation—I don’t need to check emails or update social statuses. Engaging in old-fashioned activities like reading books, playing cards, and live conversations fills me with a sense of peace reminiscent of pre-tech days.

Taking a deep breath, I acknowledge that life can indeed function without the tether of social media and emails, at least for a week. The withdrawal symptoms wane, and internally, Doris Day’s “Que Sera, Sera” becomes my anthem.

“Que sera, sera. Whatever will be will be, the future’s not ours to see, que sera, sera.”

Eventually, I return, cherishing my reconnection with the digital realm, but I carry forward the anthem of “Que Sera, Sera” as a reminder of the tranquility found beyond technology’s grasp.

Now, I wonder, do you detach from technology when on vacation? What are your reasons for doing so or for staying connected?