Why I gave up my digital devices and if it is worth the trouble.

One of my summer self-care goals was to completely unplug from technology at least once a week. Four months ago I wrote a post “Three Steps to Unplug from Technology, and I spent the following two months implementing it into my weekly routine. I decided to choose the the second day off after work as my digital detox day. Here are some rules I set up for myself:

No checking email
No social media (Instagram, TikTok, Threads, Twitter, Youtube)
No phone - urgent texts or calls only
No TV or streaming platforms

The first month

The first step was ‘Discovery’ and I wasn’t surprised by my results. My decision to start this wellness and lifestyle blog had exponentially increased my time on social media apps. I was sharing my content and “socializing” in an amazing online community with people who had similar interests. Unfortunately, prior to starting my blog I used social media minimally and even with a schedule I felt out of balance. During these past two months I focused on breaking my newly formed habits. For example, I made a conscious effort to stop myself from reaching for my phone and going on social media apps without a purpose when there was a natural lull to the day. In this process, I also had to re-evaluate my personal goals, goals for the blog, and how I would be showing up for the community. How could I inspire others to live well when in practice I was feeling out of balance? Thus, the focus of the first month was to stick to the rules on my day of digital detox and re-align my online presence with my offline presence.

“Balance is a dynamic state that requires constant monitoring and adjustments.”

The second Month

During the first month I was busy getting accustomed to the new routine, and figuring out what was working and what wasn’t working. I also went through the second step of curating my social media apps, followings, etc. The second month I eventually found my pace and I started to appreciate my digital detox day. Giving myself one day a week to be completely present with myself gave me the space to meet my needs. In turn, I showed up with purpose when I was online and I felt more connected with my community.

Digital Detox Tips

Forgoing digital devices for a day wasn’t easy, but the benefits I received from the experience made it worth my time.

If a whole day is unrealistic, start with half a day. Personalize the experience so it will work for you.
Set time limits on apps or completely delete them for the day.
Tell your family and friends so they can support you and keep you accountable.
Participate in other activities when you need to keep your mind busy.
Record your experience. This allows you to reflect on the experience.

Our devices have become a ubiquitous part of modern life and without them it is only natural to feel disconnected and inconvenienced. However, is it worth it to stay constantly connected at the expense of our well-being?

Thank you for reading and leave a comment below on how you limit your use of digital devices and their impact on your life balance.

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