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Are you tired of the constant hum of notifications, the endless scroll, the pressure to “be on” all the time? I feel you. I grew tired of it all, too.
It feels like everybody’s in a rush, and you have to keep up or else…
Or else what? What’s the point, really?
The younger me would’ve strived through the hustle. However, reaching my 30s made me realize that it was, in fact, an endless chase after all. It was a huge source of stress and burnout.
Money makes you happy. But it is not your ENTIRE happiness.
It takes experience to realize that life is supposed to be simple. And if you’re at this point in your life, you’re in the right place.
In this post, let’s talk about slow living lifestyle. And we’ll start with the technology around us.
Think of it as a much-needed spa day for your soul, but instead of mud masks, we’re ditching the screens!
8 Signs You Need a Digital Detox
You know how I knew I’ve been in a digital world too much? I used my phone 16 hours a day. Yikes. It was an addiction.
My phone felt felt like an extra limb. That woke me up to the reality how unproductive and unfruitful I was.
Here are some signs that your digital habits might be affecting your well-being:
- You feel anxious or stressed when you’re without your phone.
- Your sleep suffers as you scroll late into the night.
- You’re constantly comparing your life to the “grandiose” life of others online.
- You find it hard to focus because phones are a DISTRACTION.
- Relationships are affected. You check your phone too much during conversations.
- You experience eye strain, headaches, or neck pain.
- The endless cycle of information from news and social media overwhelms you.
- You consume online content, but don’t create/do anything for yourself at all. You lost the hobbies you once loved
If any of these resonate with you, these are clear signs you have to do digital detox.
15+ Digital Detox Ideas That Will Reclaim Your Peace
These are my favorite digital detox ideas:
1. Make your bedroom a phone-free sanctuary.
No phones, tablets, or laptops after a certain hour (say, 9 PM) or at all in the room.
I’m a daydreamer, and it was a lost art due to overuse of phones. When I did this, I was surprised how much my mind turned for creativity.
So make your bedroom phone-free. Instead of an alarm on your phone, try a good old-fashioned twin bell alarm clock.
2. Distractionless meals (Put that phone down!)
I was guilty of eating my meals while watching videos on YouTube. My mind’s never in a quiet place. I get overloaded with information.
So with digital detoxing, try to think like it’s the early 2000. Eat your meals with your family, not with the screen.
3. First hour/Last hour rule
Don’t touch your phone for the first hour after waking up and the last hour before bed. Just an hour, but watch how it transforms your mornings and evenings.
4. Turn off unnecessary notifications.
I’ve come to realize that I didn’t have to know every time someone likes my post.
Heck, I would even tap “turn off notifications for this post” on my socials so I can forget about it and move on. I posted it not for validation, but so I can have an archive of memories years later.
Go into your phone settings and be ruthless. Turn off the notifications.
5. Go grayscale.
Some phones allow you to switch your screen to black and white. This makes apps look less appealing and can reduce the urge to scroll.
It differs according to which phone you have, but you can try these steps:
For iPhones: Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Color Filters > Turn Color Filter On and then choose Grayscale.
For Android: Settings > Accessibility > Color and Motion > Color Correction > toggle Use Color Correction > Select Grayscale
6. Unfollow accounts that triggers comparison, envy, or negativity.
However innocent you are, I tell you, there will always be a hint of envy when you’re seeing people’s awesome lives. You WILL compare.
But in truth, life’s not that aesthetic. It’s not always sunshine. So yeah, hit that unfollow button so it can stop messing with your mental health.
7. Delete unused apps.
How many apps do you have that you haven’t opened? If you haven’t used them in years, they’re basically digital clutter. Time to uninstall!
8. Clean out your email inbox.
When I checked mine, I got more than a THOUSAND unread e-mails. Dang.
If you’re like me, let’s start unsubscribing from newsletters we don’t read. Archive old emails. Aim for inbox zero.
9. Journaling instead.
How many times do I have to put this on the list?
This is one of the best alternatives to technology. A plain, old, but creative journaling.
Put pen to paper and let your thoughts flow. Journaling is a powerful way to process emotions, track gratitude, and gain clarity.
Here’s a “This is Enough” guided journal you can check out!
10. Listen to Music (Like You Mean It!)
Put on some calming music, close your eyes, and just listen. No multitasking, no scrolling. Just pure auditory enjoyment.
“The quiet moments are where we rediscover ourselves. Give your mind a break from the noise, and let your inner wisdom speak.”
11. Try adult coloring books to pass the time
Remember those hobbies you loved before screens took over?
Now’s the time to pick them up again or explore new ones!
Mine’s writing AND coloring books.
These adult coloring books are incredibly therapeutic and a wonderful way to unwind.
12. Connect with nature, and move more!
Our bodies and minds thrive when we spend time outdoors and move.
Go for a walk, get your hands dirty tending plants, sit in your backyard, and listen to birds!
13. Reconnect with loved ones (In person, of course.)
Not through video calls, but meet your loved ones real-time. You could set a lunch meetup, or just cook together.
If you’re taking digital detox to a whole new level, give them a hand-written letter instead of a text.
14. Read a physical book.
Curl up with a novel, a biography, or a non-fiction book. Let your imagination wander without the distraction of notifications.
15. Visit your local library.
I LOVE books. So, when I got the chance to go to the capital, I had the impulse to visit the public library. It’s a treasure trove of knowledge and stories. Some books are old and bring nostalgia. Others are pretty new, showing how much the education system are changing.
Aside from that, it’s QUIET.
16. Take a relaxing bath.
Girl, stir things up for your bath from time-to-time.
Add some Epsom salts, essential oils, or a bath bomb for an extra treat. Light candles and play calming music.
17. Schedule your screen-time
Schedule your screen-time. Designate specific times for checking emails, social media, or news.
For example, “I’ll check social media for 15 minutes at noon, and 15 minutes at 6 PM.”
18. Ask yourself if you really need to check your phone.
Before you open an app or click a link, ask yourself:
“Why am I doing this? Is it serving me, or am I just mindlessly scrolling?”
You really have to be extra conscious with your actions.
What to Do When the Urge to Use Technology Strikes?
I understand. The habit of reaching out to my phone was hard to overcome. And although I sometimes want to throw away my phone just so I can free myself from the addiction, it’s not that easy.
You might experience the following, and here’s what you have to do:
FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out)
“What if something important happens?”
After two years of just missing out, I no longer fear it. Lol. I’ve learned to set my priorities right.
My family, partner, and friends often get annoyed with how slow I am to respond to texts. But if they need me, what they do is message whoever I’m with — my mom, sister, friends, churchmates.
See, if it’s truly urgent, those matters will find a way to reach you.
Boredom
The thing is, with phones, we NEVER get bored. So, we sit in idle.
Now, if you get bored during digital detox, it is actually a good sign! Boredom is often the birthplace of creativity.
Instead of reaching for your phone, embrace it and see what ideas emerge.
Work Demands
Set boundaries and stick to them. It doesn’t affect me since I work from home and at my own pace.
But my friend did this. She received frowned looks for standing up for her work-life balance. But it is what it is!
Disconnecting from work, after work hours, is a much-needed break for your mental health.
“Free yourself from the digital leash and rediscover the richness of real life.”
Unplugging Starts Now
I encourage you to take that first step. Start with little steps.
Turn off notifications for an hour, leave your phone out of the bedroom tonight, or plan a full weekend unplugged.
Every little bit helps. You deserve to feel rested, present, and deeply connected to yourself and the world around you.
So, go ahead. Unplug. Unwind. Reclaim your peace!
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