Off The Grid: Corona Challenge Accepted – Giveaway

Unplug to recharge. That is what I was challenged to do this Sunday. And to be honest, I thought it was going to be a piece of cake. I was wrong. You see, I often survive without a phone/internet for days during my travels, but I can’t remember the last time I was “off the grid” in my own city. A disconnect in Toronto was remarkably different and an experiment that taught me a few things about myself…

1) I rely on technology for everything. In the first five minutes of this challenge I reached for my phone to: check the time, check the weather, check my emails and social media accounts and to Google what events were happening in the city. First five minutes! Finding my “inner beach” and completely disconnecting from the technologies I rely on daily was much harder than it sounds.

2) I can’t live without music. I think the most difficult part of this challenge was having a music-free day. With my laptop and phone in peaceful slumber, my sources were snipped off. So I sang. Like a human radio. All day.

3) I like unwinding in the park. I go to my local park (Trinity Bellwoods) on a weekly base, but never without my phone! Whether I’m meeting up with friends and need to check for their messages or I see something interesting that I want to share with you guys (which is every 2 min in Trinity), I’m continuously glued to the magic box I carry around with me. This means no time to actually unwind and take it all in. So, during this challenge I went to the park without my phone. And it was beautiful. I had conversations with new people, spent some time at the drum circle (yeay, got my music fix!) and devoured an amazing gelato bar. Ah, the simple things…

4) I like sharing. A lot. As I relaxed in the park, I couldn’t help but think about all the photos I wanted to snap and videos I wanted to share (like of the guys playing freestyle frisbee, the hypnotizing drummer beats, the gelato man I found sitting in the cutest Piaggio Ape etc.). Yes, it’s my job as an influencer/blogger to share these gems and engage with you guys, but I need to learn how to unplug once in awhile so this Off the Grid challenge was just what I needed.

5) I love spending time with my friends. Ok, that should be a given. But I want to emphasize the time part. Obviously everyone loves their friends, but spending real time with them has become somewhat of a rarity. I can’t recall a beach day, special event, dinner or even a road trip without cellphones or cameras in everyones’ hands. It’s like we’re all physically there, but mentally somewhere else. This habit I’m not a fan of and have been trying to nip in the butt recently.

Have you ever unplugged in your own city? I challenge you to try for a day and count how many times you reach for that computer/phone of yours. Better yet, my friends at Corona are hosting an epic party at Cabana Pool Bar (July 11th, noon-late) where everyone is encouraged to unplug. They will have a one-of-a-kind phone check station so you can disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with your friends: the longer you stay disconnected, the more rewards you’ll receive (stay Off the Grid all day and you’ll be entered to win a trip for two to the Corona SunSets Festival in Ibiza on August 13^th, 2015)!!

Yup, cellphones checked at the door, real conversations, a great DJ (the music will be powered by the sun!) and an opportunity to watch the sun set over our beautiful city (without snapping a photo of it) — think you’re up for their Off the Grid challenge?! Tickets for for the Corona SunSets party are $20 at the door or you can grab them in advance here, but I’m thrilled to announce that I’m giving away five pairs! All you have to do is comment below (scroll down to the very bottom) and tell me how you unplug. Make sure you also fill out the Rafflecopter entry below (that’s how the winner will be randomly selected). You must be legal drinking age to attend the party. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This post is sponsored by Anheuser-Busch InBev. As always, all reviews and opinions are entirely my own.