365 days! We have been in some form of virtual learning for almost 365 days. I know because my school district started virtual learning on my birthday in 2020. In my house, we've had two adults working remotely full time, a college grad working remotely part-time, a college freshman, and two high schoolers completely online. Yes, we have gone over our monthly  terabyte of data allowance a couple of times. Where does this leave us? Not unlike many families in the same situation around the US, we are experiencing Zoom meeting fatigue, virtual school days that last as long as if we were face-to-face, and something coined as the Quarantine-15. I want to present you, and myself, with a challenge to unplug during our upcoming spring break... or maybe even sooner.  

The National Day of Unplugging, (NDU) is March 5-6, 2021. The National Day of Unplugging has been around for over a decade. In February of 2020, NDU became a project under the Unplugged Collaborative, a non-profit organization. For those of you that are really serious about this initiative, you can become a member of NDU and receive a cellphone sleeping bag to use during your unplugged time.

The NDU site has over 50 ideas on how to spend your unplugged time. Consider a run to the thrift or a yard sale to (safely) pick up an old board game that doesn't require batteries. Everyone should have the opportunity to fear that turn when you have to pass both Boardwalk and Park Place and you can’t pay rent.  And who doesn't want to be Miss Scarlet, in the conservatory with the rope? Game night might become a weekly event in your household. There is a link for fort building and suggestions on how to turn childhood forts into date nights. Dust off the family cookbook and cook your favorite recipes. Challenge yourself to create a new recipe. According to my son, a spaghetti sandwich is a thing.  

Absolutely take time and go outside. Outdoor time is great for the young and the young-at-heart! Find a park that you've never been to and explore. Do you know what a yurt is? How about spending some of your spring break days completely unplugged at a state park in a yurt? It can comfortably sleep six people. Look for new activities to do outside. My daughter has taken up longboarding. Find your (or your children’s) favorite book and read it again.  Maybe take a tour of the Little Free Libraries in your neighborhood.

Teachers deserve unplugged time too. There is an endless list of things to do that will take you away from the screen. Use National Day of Unplugging or your spring break to reconnect and explorer by yourself, with a friend, or with your family.