Liana Pavane - Digital Wellness Expert and Founder, TTYL

Liana Pavane

Liana Pavane is a digital wellness expert and the founder of TTYL, the next self-care movement of the 21st century. A phone free community with all your favorite board games, coloring books, and other de-stressing activities while giving your mind a rest from social media.

Having just graduated college, Liana began to notice how much time she had on her hands to check her phone. No longer in class, she didn't feel guilty about opening her Instagram account all day every day. At work, it became a way to take a break from the task at hand and she even found herself constantly checking it while on vacation with her family. She was frustrated that she had developed such a strong attachment to technology in only a few years and began to miss the time when she didn’t rely on it for everything.

In 2017, Liana went on a five-day social media detox. She quickly noticed an increase in her productivity, a strong will to learn, and a newfound appreciation for her childhood when this technology didn't exist. The best part was, she didn't miss social media at all; in fact, she felt more connected to herself than she had in a long time. Through TTYL, Liana is inviting you to join her on your own social media detox. Play board games, color, or have a snack and just relax. Bring friends or meet new ones. You don't have to stay long; even half an hour can be enough to recharge your brain.

Liana grew up in New York City and graduated from Ithaca College with a B.A. in Theatre Studies. Her theatrical background has played a huge part in creating a shared experience for everyone who enters TTYL. She recently left her day job to pursue TTYL full-time. Traveling, sunshine, and peanut butter are some of the things she loves.

I’m so excited for you guys to connect with Liana, check out her work, and follow along as she continues to provide the space you need to be free of the world's distractions—including social media and the news.

I'd love it if you'd introduce yourself, what you do, and what you're working on.

My name is Liana Pavane, and I am a digital wellness expert and founder of TTYL, a tech-free community for adults dedicated to human connection. I host events that are rooted in community building as well as workshops where I teach people how to have a healthier relationship with technology and social media. One upcoming project I’m working on is a dating series that I’m going to roll out in 2020. It’s essentially “anti speed-dating” and breaks down the barriers of online dating today by providing people with a comfortable space to meet one another face-to-face.

How did you get started?

I came up with the idea for TTYL after I graduated from college. I saw the influx of social media activity over the years and fell victim to it like everyone else. However, I also had a strong sense of nostalgia for my childhood before technology became everyone’s sole focus. When I moved back home to New York City and entered the workforce, I quickly noticed that community was the most significant thing missing from my everyday life. I made it my goal from then on to foster more genuine human connection in my personal and professional life.

What inspired the work that you're doing?

Most of my inspiration stemmed from my childhood when I had to fill my time with my imagination because I had restricted technology use. From ages 4-13, I wasn’t allowed to watch TV on weeknights. My parents kept a close watch on how much time I spent on the computer, and they never bought video games for me. To this day, I view media as a luxury and would much rather spend my time doing something creative than watching television.

I began to notice how others around me were struggling with their technology addictions as well. I became increasingly aware of how lonely everyone kept saying they were, and I soon realized that the reason was that they preferred to spend their nights at home on their phones rather than interacting with another human being. This realization struck me as a major issue, and I wanted to do something about it.

What is your biggest passion? Do you feel like you're living your passion and purpose?

100%! My passion is connecting people, and I can confidently say that, since leaving my corporate job, I feel more aligned in my life than ever before. I now have more energy, and I’m excited to wake up each morning because I am spending my days passionately working toward my larger purpose in life: fostering human connection.

What is your joy blueprint? What lights you up, brings you joy, and makes you feel the most alive?

First of all, I absolutely love the idea of a “joy blueprint.” I’m going to use that (and credit you, of course). In recent months, I’ve noticed that what brings me joy is different than what would’ve brought me joy a year ago or even a few months ago And that’s okay! I’m now happiest amidst the simplicities of the day like savoring early mornings before everyone is awake, lighting a candle, and even sitting in silence with my own company. I’ve found a lot of gratitude in these simple acts of self-care where I can truly tap into my inner thoughts and emotions.

I feel most alive when I get to be around people, particularly attending events or hosting my own! I love to see people having a good time when I’m hosting an event, and I love to have a good time myself. This year, I started a journey called, “Solo Experiences,” where I take myself out on dates every week. Not only have I learned more about myself through these experiences, but I’ve also found that I feel the most joy when I’m going somewhere by myself. When alone, there’s this feeling of endless possibilities and growth that truly lights me up.

How do you live intentionally? Are there tools/resources/practices that you rely on to help you stay mindful and grounded?

Yes! Most of my tips align with how to live a healthier lifestyle without technology. My perspective on technology is that we need to counter it by incorporating more play into our lives for creativity and imagination. To do this, I make sure to take at least one fun break throughout the day that allows me to tap into my inner child. For me, those breaks includes being active, journaling, coloring, or reading a book. To get hours of work done productively, I also place my phone in my bag or in another room and click the do not disturb button, which automatically sends a message to my friends altering them that I’m offline.

My biggest transition recently has been my morning and evening routine. During the week, I wake up at 6:30am with my SAD alarm clock that lights up my room, and I immediately go to a workout class. I find that the endorphin rush I receive from exercise first thing in the morning carries me through the day. I also won’t check my phone until I’m fully ready for the day (after I’ve eaten breakfast around 9am). Creating a routine and making it digitally minimal gives me access to notice how I’m feeling with a clearer head (especially before sitting at my computer for the rest of the day). Similarly, at night, I leave my phone charging outside my bedroom, and I put my phone away at least a half an hour before bed so that I can read and embrace the sacred space of my evening.

What would your younger self think about what you're doing now?

I think my younger self would be in awe of what I have created and that I took a leap of faith to start this so early in my career. I was always a confident kid and didn’t care what other people thought of me. Still, I think she would admire that I chased my dreams, just like I always wanted to, and that I didn’t listen to people who were telling me to wait before quitting my job. She would also definitely be proud that I use my creativity and imagination on a daily basis :)

Do you have a go-to mantra or affirmation?

Recently, my mantra has been a quote I found from Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project. “You can do anything, but you can’t do everything.” Rubin’s quote helped me realize that, although I innately want to try and do a million things, it’s so much more valuable to focus my time and energy on the things that I genuinely love to do.

What is your biggest dream?

My biggest dream is to alter the way people use technology and social media on a daily basis. A dream come true would that, as a community, weno longer feel the need to reach for our phones, that we call people more often, we drop by people’s houses, or we strike up conversations with strangers on a regular basis. In today’s world, we’re so isolated even though we are told we have more tools for connection. So, my dream is for people to find the value of human connection in being a part of and joining a community (in real life).

To learn more about Liana and her work you can visit her website where you can find all of their upcoming events, resources for digital wellness and her blog, on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Liana also writes for Medium as a thought leader (read that here) and you can reach her directly talktoyoulater2018@gmail.com

Joy Corner is an interview-style blog series brought to you by Seek The Joy Podcast. Our mission continues to be a desire to share your stories, truths, joys and inspiration in your words. We invite you to join our corner, and share your joys, passions, and moments of inspiration as we continue to seek the joy, together. Join this series here