Look, I Get It
You’re supposed to unplug. Everyone says so. Your mom, your boss, that guy who always posts about mindfulness on LinkedIn. But honestly? I’m Sarah, and I’m addicted to my screen. I work in digital media—shocking, I know—and my phone is basically a third arm. So when my friend Marcus told me I needed a digital detox, I laughed. Then I cried. Then I said, “Fine, I’ll try it.”
It was last Tuesday. I was at a conference in Austin (which, by the way, is way too hot in June), and I was live-tweeting the keynote. Marcus, who’s some kinda wellness guru now, tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Sarah, you’re missing the actual conference because you’re too busy telling the internet about it.” Which… yeah. Fair enough.
I Didn’t Even Last 24 Hours
So I committed—committment, whatever—to a digital detox. I even downloaded this app that locks you out of your phone for a set amount of time. I started with 12 hours. Big mistake. I made it to 11:30pm than I cracked. I told myself I’d just check my email quickly. Then I was scrolling. Then I was watching cat videos. It’s just… yeah.
I texted Marcus at 11:47pm: “I failed.” He texted back: “Try again tomorrow.” I didn’t. I’m a quitter, I guess.
But here’s the thing: I’m not you. Maybe you can do a digital detox. Maybe you’re stronger than me. Maybe you don’t have a job that requires you to be plugged in 24/7. Or maybe you’re just better at self-committment than I am.
What Actually Worked (Sorta)
So I didn’t do a full detox. But I did try some smaller stuff. I turned off notifications for a whole weekend. It was weirdly liberating. I read a book—an actual, physical book. It was called “The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides. It was good. I also talked to my husband more. Like, actually looked at him and listened. It was nice.
I also tried the dijital detoks pratik rehber thing. It’s this guide that tells you how to slowly reduce your screen time. It’s not as drastic as a full detox, but it’s a start. I did it for about three months. I went from averaging 87 hours a week on my screen to… well, less. I’m not sure exactly how much less, but it’s something.
A Tangent About Coffee
Okay, so this isn’t about digital detox, but I gotta tell you about this coffee place on 5th. It’s called The Brew. You should go. They have this latte that’s basically dessert. It’s called the “Caramel Dream.” I had one last week and I basically floated out of there. It was that good. Anyway, if you’re trying to unplug, maybe go there. Just don’t take your phone.
Oh, and they have these pastries. Like, seriously. The croissants are to die for. I’m not even exaggerating. I think I gained 5 pounds just looking at them.
Back to the Point (Kinda)
So, yeah. Digital detoxes are hard. But maybe they’re not supposed to be all-or-nothing. Maybe it’s okay to start small. Turn off notifications. Read a book. Talk to your spouse. Go to The Brew. Whatever. Just try something.
And if you’re like me and you fail, that’s okay too. Just try again. Or don’t. Honestly, I’m not your mom. I can’t make you do anything.
Anyway, that’s my story. I’m gonna go now. My phone’s buzzing and I need to check it. I’m a mess. But I’m trying. That counts for something, right?
About the Author
Sarah Johnson is a senior editor at SingaporeMax.com. She’s been in the media industry for over 20 years and has a serious caffeine addiction. She lives in Austin with her husband and a cat named Mr. Whiskers. She’s not on social media. (Liar.)
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the clutter in your home, you’ll find comfort in the honest truth about decluttering and how it can positively impact your daily living and relationships.
Next time you’re signing a contract or agreeing to terms, consider the wisdom in why reading fine print matters and how it can impact your daily life and relationships.
