Finding Time to Disconnect
Life moves so fast these days that we forget to pause.
We’re overstimulated and constantly scrolling. Thanks to social media, our brains are always looking for the next dopamine hit.
And because of that, disconnecting isn’t something that “just happens”, we have to choose it.
For me, that choice usually happens in nature.
When I’m hiking, something shifts inside me. I barely think about my phone except to take a picture. I don’t feel pressured to check messages or respond quickly to anyone. My brain stops racing and settles into the present moment. Nothing else really matters.
A Trip That Allowed Me to Disconnect
This past week, I was lucky enough to go on a hiking trip with my sister and friends. We flew to Portland, Oregon—a city that felt slower, calmer, and quieter compared to LA. But Portland’s real magic isn’t the city itself… it’s everything around it.
Oregon is a state of trees, waterfalls, mountains, and endless green. It’s the perfect place to unplug.
We hiked, chased waterfalls, wandered through forests, and even got to see Mount Hood in all its beauty.
And in the middle of all of this? I still had to complete my 7.5-mile (~12 km) long run for marathon training.
The Run That Became a Reset
We planned a 6-mile hike that same day, and part of me wanted to postpone the run until Monday. But another part of me, the disciplined part said: Just wake up early and get it done.
So I did.
I created a route through downtown Portland near our hotel. Three miles in, the scenery completely transformed. Suddenly, I was surrounded by trees and running next to a lake. I saw dozens of other runners. And even though 7.5 miles is a long distance… it flew by.
I was so present that I stopped tracking distance or time. It ended up being one of my favorite runs ever. It made me realize how much running can feel like exploration rather than obligation.
I saw so much of the city all in just 1 hour and 20 minutes.
That’s the beauty of running. You cover a huge area in such a short time and see things you would’ve otherwise missed.
Runner’s High Is Real
If you’ve never run before, you should try it at least once.
There’s something real called “runner’s high,” and I felt it that day. I finished the run feeling happy, grounded, accomplished… and ironically, full of energy.
Even with a big hike ahead of me, I felt good.
By the end of the day, we had hiked 6 miles (~9.6 km)—3 hours and 30 minutes on our feet and more than 1,000 ft (300 m) of elevation—on top of the long run. That’s 13.5 miles (~21.7 km) of total movement. More than a half marathon. Nearly 5 hours of being active.
And the best part?
I was completely present for both.
I made a memory I know I’ll remember forever.
Why Disconnecting Matters
As I’m writing this, I’m exhausted and about to fall asleep.
But I didn’t want the day to end without reflecting on what this trip reminded me:
We all need to disconnect more often.
We need a break from screens, pressure, routine, and constant noise. Nature makes that easier for me, it pulls me into the present moment and makes me forget everything else.
If you haven’t disconnected in a while, I genuinely encourage you to try.
It doesn’t have to be a big trip, it could be:
a hike
a short run or walk
exploring a new neighborhood
Your mind will thank you.