On-Life or On-Line

I'm on-Life!

I'm online!

We live in times where it seems like we need to justify why we don't respond to a message quickly, don't interact with a post or spend MINUTES away from the digital world. It's as if being "invisible" online is rude, and we feel obligated to explain why we're absent.

I have always been somewhat distant from the digital world. For me, digital tools are just a means to achieve results, both personal and professional. In fact, I am a Digital Transformation enthusiast, precisely because I believe it accelerates processes and results. However, it would be hypocritical to say that I do not use these platforms – after all, I have a blog, a website and social media accounts. But I do so in a controlled manner, with specific times during my day.

I clearly remember my first cell phone, when I was 15. I would leave it anywhere, because I felt that "that thing" was just another way for others to control me (you can see how much I value my freedom, right? 😁). I even tried to enjoy the famous game Snake on the Nokia 3310, but in truth, I never felt part of that digital universe. That was in the 90s, and back then, a cell phone was only for calls and messages. Nothing compared to what we have today.

From the beginning, I felt like I didn't quite fit into this digital world. Everything seemed forced, as if my identity didn't need to be defined by an electronic device. Today, I clearly realize that what I really like is being On-Life – present, living every moment alongside the people who are important to me. Of course, I'm human and I also get lost in social media from time to time, but I've established rules that limit my use, especially when I'm with my family. I have two young daughters, and nothing compares to enjoying their smiles, facial expressions and funny, innocent comments.

The techniques I use to maintain this balance are familiar, but not easy to implement – especially for those who are addicted to digital. They may seem challenging, like a “digital hangover”, but I promise they work!

I'm going to share three of them, which require a real desire to be On-Life 😉.

1. Set a schedule : Have specific times to access social media during the day. This helps you manage your time and stay focused on what really matters.

1. Turn off notifications : It may seem radical, but turning off all notifications completely changes the way you interact with digital. Without constant distractions, you can be more present and productive.

1. Avoid using your phone during the first and last hours of the day : When you wake up, focus on your morning routine; before going to bed, disconnect to ensure a peaceful sleep. These hours are precious for the mind.

If you are very attached to social media and find it difficult to apply all these techniques, start slowly. Choose one of them and implement it for the next 30 days. When you feel comfortable, add another that makes sense to you.

Today, I am focused on developing my business, and yes, I need the digital world for that. But I have two values that sometimes conflict with the digital world: Freedom and Privacy . On the one hand, the digital world gives me the freedom to work from wherever and whenever I want. But on the other hand, I feel like I need to expose myself a lot on social media – share my personal life, my family – and that makes me feel trapped. It’s like opening the door for the whole world to see my life, something I don’t want. This is a topic for another article, but the question is: how do I find the balance?

The word that guides me here is Reframe . I need to reframe these two values that are so important to me. Being On-Life, for me, means being present, connected with real life and with the people around me. Being Online is just a tool to boost my project. Yes, perhaps my more reserved approach will end up delaying the growth of my project, but I prefer to accept this consequence rather than sacrifice my freedom and privacy.

So, I choose to be On-Life. And you, what do you choose?