As much as we live in an age that is increasingly connected and overstimulated, there’s also a growing movement of businesses and organizations that are trying to address the issues of distraction that come with technology.
Case in point: The National Day of Unplugging, happening from sundown on March 9th to sundown on March 10th. This project is an ongoing effort to encourage people to bring balance into their use of technology by reflecting on their use and taking a regular tech break, started by Reboot back in 2010.
“We recognized that people are tired of always being plugged in but they didn’t know how to take the steps to make a change. The expectation that you are always reachable, that you will respond immediately to that beeping, buzzing and ringing of texts, emails and phone calls has created a society of people who are on edge and overwhelmed and disconnected from those actually around them,” – Tanya Schevitz, spokesperson for Reboot’s National Day of Unplugging.
The challenge is to put away digital devices for 24 hours, but the real goal is to encourage people to take the time to pause and reflect on their technology usage (and perhaps even, dependency) and to strive to find a balance.
Here are some of NDU’s tips for disconnecting:
Use an alarm clock instead of your phone to wake you up: This way, you won’t be immediately pulled into checking texts, notifications, emails, etc.
Set aside a regular time to unplug: Like setting aside time to exercise or to enjoy a meal, it may be helpful to schedule in time slots in your day when you don’t use any digital devices
Delete social media apps from your phone: Or at the very least, shut off the notifications which can pull you in when it’s not necessary
It may surprise some to learn that The National Day of Unplugging has ties to Jewish faith—its guiding project, the Sabbath Manifesto, was created by Reboot with Dan Rollman, a member of the Reboot creative network. While Rollman did not observe Shabbat growing up, as an adult he began to think of how addicted he was to technology, and that this connectedness never allowed him a moment of pause:
“As my life became increasingly hectic and plugged in, I became more and more attracted to the idea of a weekly day of rest. There’s clearly a social problem when we’re interacting more with digital interfaces than our fellow human beings. I recognized that I needed a break and I wanted a modern way to observe a weekly day of rest.”
For those of different faiths or backgrounds, The National Day of Unplugging is a way to weave a common thread for all to provide a space for people to disconnect and engage with others. Ancient rituals, like Shabbat or gathering around a campire, demand focus and our full attention and can provide a break from the hustle and bustle of modern life.
Our mission at Getaway is to help provide a counterbalance and more simplicity, quiet and leisure in lives—unplugging is integral to the experience. You can join or learn more about the National Day of Unplugging movement here, and unplug at one of our own tiny cabins.
A solo trip can be exactly what you need to feel refreshed and recharged, but we know you want to be sure you’re safe. That’s why we’ve put together a list of reasons why you can feel safe and confident during your solo getaway.
The Lock
All of our cabins are kept secure with a lock code instead of a key. This lock code is only provided to you, ensuring that both you and your belongings are kept safe and secure inside your cabin.
The Phone
Every cabin comes with a cellphone lockbox so guests can experience the relief of true disconnection. Having said that, solo travelers with minimal service might want a way to contact others in the event of an emergency. That’s why all Postcard Cabins come with a landline, so you can feel safe knowing you have a point of contact just in case.
Our Team
Our team is here to support on during your trip. If you run into any problems or have any questions, we’re here to help. You can reach out to our Community team at the number provided in your cabin and someone from Postcard Cabins will be happy to assist you.
The Activities
We encourage our guests to simply do nothing and recharge. However, if you’re feeling jittery, many of the options available to couples and families are open for you too. Our cabins come stocked with books, a radio, and an activity booklet if you want a relaxing activity. If you want to go on a hike, just remember to bring plenty of food and water and be mindful of when sunset is. We also recommend a headlamp and compass if you want to be extra prepared.
The Solo Travelers
You don’t have to take our word for it. We always love hearing from guests who traveled to our cabins alone. Check out some of their thoughts below.
“I came solo and was nervous going in, not knowing what to expect. I felt very safe. It was quiet and secluded but I didn’t feel alone. I only stayed one night but would love to return for a weekend.” Leigh-Ann W., The Phillip
“I am a mother, entrepreneur, wife, and activist and I am always ‘on.’ I have been wanting to escape and unplug for months and I am so grateful I acted on this impulse- it was honestly the best gift I have ever given myself. Time alone in the cabin with my art, a book, and my thoughts was sublime. I came back refreshed and renewed.” Jennifer P., The Lorraine
“As someone who loves camping, but wouldn’t be comfortable camping alone, this gave me the best of all worlds. Security, coziness, quiet, fire, and fresh air.” Maura L., The Linda
“I took this solo trip with my dog to work on music and get away from the city, and it was amazing. I never felt like something was missing. It was so productive and much needed and I ended up creating amazing material.” Ariel G., The Shelby
Ready for a solo escape of your own? Book your cabin now.
I’m excited to announce Getaway’s new initiative to support global reforestation.
Every new Getaway booking now results in planting one tree somewhere in the world, powered by our friends at the aptly-named non-profit One Tree Planted.
One Tree Planted, planting trees in Oregon.
Why? Aside from the obvious “sustainability is good” answer, my hope in starting Getaway was to create the space and opportunity for people to reconnect with nature. I hope in some small way this helps more people in more places have nature in their lives.
To make that a reality, it’s all of our jobs to do what we can to support nature itself. I hope this is the first of many contributions we can make to our planet.
In September, Getaway’s marketing team took some time to recharge and learn about relationships in our third workshop with WYLD Leadership. WYLD crafts incredible learning and development experiences – in person or virtually – customized to a team’s needs and goals, meaning no workshop is the same. WYLD’s mission is to draw out the unique greatness in people. They pull from a palette of psychology, nature, creativity, mindfulness, neuroscience, and ancient wisdom to curate a safe and fun experiential learning environment that feels transformative and sustainable. Getaway will be partnering with WYLD for the rest of the year to bring you tips, insights, and practices to help you find your own true nature.
Our most recent WYLD session focused on our relationships, both with each other and with our guests.
To start the session, we took a journey through a series of guided visualizations and calming meditations – a welcome reprieve on a Monday. Once we felt centered, we moved to a group exercise, which for many of us, was our favorite WYLD experience so far.
We were given the name of someone on our team and asked to focus on that person by sending positive thoughts and intentions. You knew the person you were focusing on, but you didn’t know who had you in mind. We were then given time to write a letter of gratitude to that individual – topics could have been about their personal or professional attributes, or both.
After penning our letter, we were broken into small groups and asked to read the letter to the person. It was then we realized the teammate you were writing about was also writing about you. We’d also be mindfully paired up so your “penpal” was someone you worked closely with, but not someone you directly reported to, which made it easy to share freely and authentically.
It was an incredibly emotional experience to hear about the beautiful qualities and strengths we value in each other. Most of us left the small team exercise with tears in our eyes.
During our busy days, we often hustle to communicate, and these exchanges are often transitional and technical – over email, Slack, Zoom. We’re rarely afforded the time and space to communicate ways we enjoy and care about each other. Most of us couldn’t remember the last time we’d penned or received a handwritten letter.
Moving forward, we plan to share more intentional notes of praise or thanks with our team, even if it has to be over Slack. We also want to use this idea to deepen our relationships with guests. A handwritten note that shows you’re mindful of the details of someone’s life and character can go a long way.
As Laura, our Brand Design Lead said, “It takes five positives to negate one negative. So let’s all start putting out more positives.”
Interested in trying out the WYLD experience yourself? Email them at [email protected] to schedule your session, and they will match you with a coach who fits with your professional and personal goals. Mention promo code WYLD20 for 20% off (this includes a CliftonStrengths code to take the behavioral assessment). A coaching session with a WYLD guide is tailored to your self-development needs, whatever you lead… a business, a family, a team, or your own self through the day, gift yourself the time and space to reflect and grow.
Nothing beats curling up with a good book by a big window in the final weeks of winter—except finding new books to enjoy. Our friends at Books Are Magic—a team favorite among our Brooklyn-based staff for all our new reads—crafted the ultimate disconnection reading list for the season, so we can all curl up with the best new books everyone’s talking about.
In this thoughtful new cultural history, journalist and cultural critic Kyle Chayka takes on the rising lifestyle trend of minimalism, exploring the philosophical and spiritual origins of why we often feel less is more. We are all familiar with popular templates to clear our homes of clutter in order to bring more peace to our lives, but Chayka delves deeper in the movement, including a series of mini-biographies of artists, writers, and visionaries who have grappled with ways to reach deeper emotional understandings, and investigate the implications of presence versus absence. While spending some extra time indoors this winter, this is a great book to get introspective about the spaces we inhabit, both physically and spiritually.
Drawn from the beloved “Modern Love” column of the New York Times, Modern Love, Revised and Updated is the perfect book for anyone interested in the messiness of dating and the human heart. This anthology collects dozens of the most memorable essays in the column’s fifteen-year run. We learn about a young woman’s journey through the five stages of ghosting grief, a widower struggling to decide whether to introduce his new girlfriend to his children, a woman in her seventies reflecting on the highs and lows of her past relationships. By turns funny, provocative, and heartbreaking but always honest, this colorful collection is the perfect companion for a weekend getaway.
An uplifting and heartfelt book about six strangers who connect over their renewed, shared commitment to honesty. It all begins with a little, green notebook, which is left in Monica Café by Julian Jessop, an elderly artist who wishes people would be more honest with each other. From that point the journal—a la Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants—trades hands among strangers, as it becomes a catalyst for the intimacy each person craves. Along the way we get to meet a cast of charming and eccentric characters, each revealing their true selves to each other in their respective entries. The result is an inspiring, thought-provoking query into the power and potential of authenticity.
Letting go can be one of the hardest things for us as humans. Sometimes, we need a little time away to forget our everyday stressors to recenter the larger picture. This tiny hand-held guide is highly recommended as a portable resource, filled with accessible wisdom from His Holiness the Dalai Lama to staying present in the moment. Complete with discussions about Buddhist concepts of attachment, emptiness, and compassion, it’s never too late to release our past attachments and future fears and embrace the fullness we embody right now.
Perfect for snuggling with loved ones and getting lost in a nostalgic favorite, this treasury includes the first two Calvin and Hobbes collections, as well as an original full-color 16-page story of the beloved best-friend-duo on their imaginative adventures. While full of silly humor and antics, Watterson’s comics are a classic for their poignant moments of wisdom and tenderness.
In honor of Black History Month, we’re spotlighting Black trailblazers; the adventurers, activists, and environmentalists who have been busy charting their own paths into nature, leading the charge to make nature and rest more inclusive and accessible. Today we’re featuring Evelynn Escobar, a social activist and the founder of Hike Clerb, a nonprofit and intersectional womxn’s hike club in LA. Here’s what she had to say about nature, Hike Clerb, and activism.
On Nature
My connection to nature has grown and developed over time. Like most kids, I gravitated to playing outside in the dirt and the woods with my friends. I didn’t grow up visiting national parks or going camping, etc. but I always enjoyed hiking when visiting my aunt who lived in Los Angeles. As a young adult, I sought out natural spaces and made an effort to spend more time outside, but it wasn’t until I moved to Los Angeles that I realized how innately outdoorsy I was. Getting in touch with my true nature has brought out a side of me that I didn’t even know fully existed and I am forever grateful for that.
On Creating Solutions
I would definitely consider myself to be a problem-solver so when I realized how homogenous the outdoors really were, it inspired me to spring into action! I definitely attribute my first National Park visit to being one of the biggest catalysts for this. That and my experience hiking solo around LA really drove me to create a literal safe space to facilitate experiences centering BIWOC for collective healing.
I actually went to school for journalism and ended up taking the social media route which wasn’t yet a huge thing back then! I think just starting a non-profit period is probably the most difficult challenge of my career thus far. There are so many resources needed and they aren’t necessarily readily available to you. There’s a lot of learnings you encounter along the way. My favorite project so far has to be my current partnership with Nike ACG!
On Self-Care
Therapy has truly been an absolute game-changer for me! It’s so necessary and so fundamental. Of course, going into nature has also been a huge help with everything going on in the last year. It has truly provided a reset and release that is even more so needed now.
On Activism
I think it’s so important when starting any community, to be married to your mission. Know exactly why you are investing your time into whatever you’re doing and who you’re speaking to. It should be a natural extension of you! When you’re operating from a place of authenticity, the community builds itself.
I am inspired by women who live boldly. Women who are using their unique efforts to help change the world. Issa Rae, Leah Thomas, Betty Reid Soskin to name a few. I am thankful for the community that has invested its time and efforts into me, who helped make me who I am. My aunts, my grandma, my mentors and the friends who have left an impact along the way.
Outdoorsy comes in all shapes, forms, colors, sizes, interests etc. We are multi-faceted beings capable of being passionate about many different things and I want people to understand that their version of outdoorsy doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s but their own. There is power in that.
With the hustle and bustle of city life, we know it can be hard for artists to find uninterrupted time to create. That’s why we created our Artist Fellowship Program, to give creatives a space in nature to work on their projects. We love seeing what our artists come up with and we’re excited to share some of our recent fellows.
Painter Amanda Nolan Booker has been painting and drawing ever since she was young. However, it wasn’t until 2016 when she decided to go back to school and pursue painting full time.
“My work deals with memory, perception, and experience,” Amanda said. “I’m inspired by the everyday, in the mundane, but I’m equally inspired by mythology and storytelling. I want to account for the things that make up a life which are not easily defined or depicted.”
Amanda prefers to escape anywhere that’s quiet, so our Atlanta Outpost was the perfect spot for her to take some time to create.
“I work best when I’m alone and can listen to music and/or have conversations with myself out loud,” Amanda says. “Even if I’m not actively painting and just need to brainstorm, it’s important that I find a place for uninterrupted reflection.”
Six years ago, Richard Bonasoro turned his backyard into a small farm in the hope of growing his own food and living a healthier lifestyle. During this project, he started thinking about what he was putting on his skin as well.
“I started looking into soap making and finally made my first batch of soap right in the backyard in my garden,” Richard said. “I wanted a bar of soap with ingredients you could recognize without Google: organic olive oil, organic coconut oil, essential oils, and herbs and sometimes even vegetables from my garden.”
As part of his fellowship, Richard picked up his work station and moved it to Getaway Blake Brook. The soap he made there, inspired by his stay, combined pine, fir, needle, cedarwood, and cypress together with a lemony scent.
Richard, who owns and operates the Backyard Soap Company, says his dream creative project is to build a backyard garden utopia that’s inspired by The Secret Garden.
Interested in tapping into your own creativity in nature? Escape today.
In our busy city lives filled with noise, stress, and technology, it can be hard to find the time and space to create art and get inspired. That’s why we created our Artist Fellowship Program—to provide artists time and space to create and recharge. Each month we host a number of artists at our Outposts and invite them to experience Getaway, and to set aside time for their art.
To meet a few of our January artists, keep reading, and see what they had to say about their art and their Getaways.
Michelle Van Leer, Illustrator
Michelle grew up in South Florida and moved to the Atlanta area when she was in high school. You can find her at a vegan restaurant, on a hike, exploring a new city with her boyfriend, or at the library where she works.
When asked how she got started as an artist, Michelle said, “When I was younger my mom would draw Disney characters in her sketchbooks and I was always so amazed by her work. I followed her lead and drew characters in her sketchbook, using my Disney books for reference. It wasn’t until high school that I started drawing patterns and really enjoyed that type of drawing. I spent many classes in my own world, doodling on my school papers. I eventually got my own sketchbook and a fine tip Sharpie and perfected my current style over the years.”
She says she started taking her art more seriously in the past couple of years, so she started painting, opened an Etsy shop, and participated in art shows.
Michelle’s connection to nature has had a guiding influence in her life. She says, “My connection to nature has shaped the way I do things in my personal life, whether it be what I eat or how I shop for clothes. I’ve become more conscious of the environment as I’ve gotten older, and I love learning about ways that I can lessen my environmental impact. Treating mother nature kindly is important to me.”
Michelle cites nature as a big influence on her artwork—some of her biggest inspirations include the color and organic shapes that can be found in nature.
Regarding her Getaway, Michelle notes, “I’ve always wanted to live in a tiny house so staying in the cabin was a cool experience. It was a beautiful area, super quiet, and it felt like we were the only ones there. It was the perfect environment for drawing because I didn’t have wifi or cell service, so I was able to get a drawing done sooner than usual. I have the bad habit of letting my phone distract me!”
Christian Yi was born and raised in Los Angeles. He was first introduced to photography during college, and he got his first DSLR in 2016. “Today I am one of the lucky ones who gets to do what they love for a job,” Christian reflects.
Christian says nature is his place to escape. “It is a place where I can shut down and be present. I love to go out and smell the crisp, unpolluted air, touch the earth, take a hike, and hear the crackle of twigs and rocks beneath my feet. In nature I am free. There is no boss to please (except for myself and I can be a real stickler), and no schedule or deadlines except for the ones I put on myself.”
Without extra noise, Christian is able to create art that truly represents how he feels at a specific moment in time because there’s nothing that can impede his train of thought.
Christian explains, “I wish my Getaway was longer! I went to Getaway with my girlfriend and we spent our time telling stories, learning how to play dominos, drinking hot cocoa with our steak dinner with potatoes and butter that we prepared over the mini grill, and stargazing from our massive window overlooking the beautiful mountains of Running Springs. My time at Getaway was a reminder that a routine digital detox is essential for a healthy creative mind.”
Phoenix lives in Indianapolis with her husband of four years. She started her own photography business right after she graduated from Purdue University, and she loves photographing all things related to love and travel.
On being a photographer, Phoenix says, “Exploring the world and getting to document it, really hits your heart in a different way.”
For Phoenix, her connection to nature provides her with comfort and a sense of faith. She elaborates, “Seeing the moon shining, bright stars, tall mountains, colorful leaves, the vastness of the ocean, or even the sand between my toes reminds me of God and humbles me in a really good way. I’m thankful to get to capture every bit of it, and I try to preserve sweet memories through photos.”
Phoenix describes her Getaway as, “soul-warming, intimate, and just so dang beautiful. I loved getting to document the simplicity of the home and environment and to just enjoy the atmosphere, being tucked in the mountains. The stars were SO bright at night, and we awoke to a fiery sunrise that I snapped some shots of. I’d 110% recommend this experience for anyone in any stage of life. It was refreshing and cozy, and it was just a joy to step away from the business of life to slow down and take in the beautiful mountains. “
Bug Robbins is a native Texan, but they spent a decade in Baltimore where they went to the Maryland Institute College of Art to pursue a degree in Illustration, Printmaking, and Book Arts. They recently moved to Cleveland, Ohio to work as a Staff Illustrator for American Greetings.
When asked to describe their work, Bug said, “I would say that I straddle a lot of different worlds artistically, be it fiber arts, printmaking, and more recently, animating. In my professional career, I also focus a lot on editorial illustration, making politically-charged and conceptual artwork for magazines and online articles.”
Generally, Bug can be found hanging out with their two cats, reading horror-sci-fi novels, and working on new knitting projects.
Bug says they’re always thinking about nature and how they’re connected to it. They check the weather constantly because they’re in love with storms and dramatic weather, which they said was, “possibly a product of growing up in tornado alley.”
Nature was also a big part of Bug’s childhood. They said, “I grew up running around in creek beds and climbing trees. I think a lot of textures and patterns in nature make it into my artwork, both consciously and unconsciously, but it is a fountain of inspiration whenever I feel stuck. My most recent book, Tony is about a praying mantis I rescued from the woods, and on other levels, it’s also about personal growth—so these ideas are often very intertwined with lots of lessons to be found in nature.”
Bug considered going on their Getaway alone for a meditative retreat, but they decided instead to invite their mom to join them. “Our Getaway was maybe more like a sleepover or camp-out than the quiet reflection some seek, but I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. We had some quiet, beautiful hikes, taking in the snowy forests and rivers, and after all that, we could relax in our cozy cabin, catching up and watching movies.”
Bug found the architecture of the cabins themselves to be a source of inspiration because of the way they interact with the landscape. “While there I felt very inspired just to sketch and reconnect with pen on paper, which led to my final animation once I left. I really look forward to my next Getaway—I’m hoping for a longer stay where I can really immerse myself in drawing.”
