My No-Phone Day
My No-Phone Day
February 6, 2024
Read time: 2 minutes
Last Sunday, I took the day off my phone. And I was going through withdrawals 😬Â
Many people on LinkedIn suggest a phone-free day, to unplug. Some say do it once per month, some once per week.Â
All with the goal: less digital, more real, more life.Â
I decided Sunday, my family day, was the place to start.Â
Here’s what happened:
The Pre-Work
I prepped:Â
Saturday night, I got everything ready. I went through my reminders, checking for anything important on Sunday.Â
Then, I put it away:Â
I have a handy little cardboard box in my front entry where my phone lives. It’s warm and has plenty of sunlight & fresh air = the perfect environment for my phone to thrive, free & in the wild.
Sunday
Then, Sunday dawned…Â
Throughout the day, I felt an almost compulsive need to go pick up my phone. This proved to me I AM addicted to the thing.Â
So, I resisted.Â
I wanted to check if anyone messaged me. Maybe my dad FaceTimed wanting to talk to his granddaughters.Â
Nope, resist.Â
I wanted to look something up in my downtime. To keep learning so I can “make progress” & “get ahead”.Â
Nope, resist.
The Result?
It was incredible.Â
I found… peace.Â
Letting go of the need to be plugged in, to be connected, I gave myself the space to BE.Â
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To breathe.Â
To relax into my own skin.Â
To be truly present to the moment. Â
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Nobody died.Â
No countries ceased to exist.Â
And I survived to live another day.
Some Necessary Changes
Needless to say, I’m now making some changes.Â
I’m spending way less time scrolling social media. I moved Instagram (my personal favorite) & Facebook off my home screen, so I have to be more intentional if I’m tempted to use them. I told my wife I won’t be on Insta as much, so I’ll be longer to respond to reels she sends.Â
One day is proving to be life-changing. I’m thinking I may delete social media entirely (except for LinkedIn, which I use for work).Â
Turns out, I like being free.
What You Can Do Right Now
Do you have a “phone home”? A set place out of the way for your phone to stay so you can be present to life?Â
If not, I encourage you to find yourself a little cardboard box, get it all cozy-like, and tuck your phone in for a day. Resist the withdrawals, the compulsive need to grab the thing, and give yourself a day.Â
I think you’ll like the freedom.