Why You May Need a Digital Detox and How To Take One
There’s this log on your cell phone that shows you how many hours you spend on it and on which apps. I was curious, so I decided to check for myself. It couldn’t be that bad, right? I’m not on my phone 24/7. What I discovered stabbed me right in my heart. For the sake of my reputation I will keep the exact number of hours that I spend on my phone to myself, but what I will say is that it was astonishing. Instead of being a tool, our phones can feel like an extra appendage or or like a ball and chain we drag around all day long. I needed a relief. For this reason precisely, I took a 3-day digital detox for the past couple of weekends. Relief granted.
One of the greatest inventions of this century thus far is the smartphone. When Steve Jobs stood onstage in January 2007 and introduced the world to the iPhone, we marveled at it. Finally there was this one magical device that could do everything. And it literally does EVERYTHING. We use it communicate, to create, to work, and anything you can imagine. As Wired Magazine puts it “the world has reorganized itself around the smartphone.” Think about it. Your cell phone is probably the first thing you reach for in the morning. It’s what you pick up when you want to figure out the other show a certain actor was in when you’re in the middle of watching that new crime drama. When you want to know the weather, instead of walking outside you just ask Siri. It’s right there and it makes life so convenient. But when do you realize that your reliance on a device is a crutch?
The Symptoms
My first indication that I was on my cell way too much was blurry vision and tired eyes. This can happen when you’re staring at any screen for a long time. Instead of spending less time on my devices, I put on my blue light blocking glasses. While this helped for a bit, it didn’t fix the actual problem. I developed migraines and fatigue. Then my hands started cramping up. Pretty soon the back of my neck from looking down all the time. When I started stubbing my toes and my knees on the coffee table or losing my phone while it was actually in my hand, that’s when I knew I needed a break. But how could I take on when so much of my life revolved around being on my phone?
Yes, you can put your phone down
Here’s how I knew I could do it. One day my mom and I took a day trip to Charleston and the most direct route there was through the countryside. As we drove these backroads and old highways that time seems to have forgotten, passing through small towns and historic train depots no longer in use, the cell signal dropped in and out. The GPS stopped functioning for moments at a time, and those moments increased. Eventually I gave up, gave in and put my phone down. I stopped relying on it for my sense of direction especially when I realized that I’ve traveled these roads before and knew exactly where I was going. Without my phone, I was alright.
Our devices whether it’s a phone or a tablet are our security blankets. Somehow we feel safer when they are close by. They give us something to fiddle with when we’re alone in a public place. Yet they also become a distraction when we could be focused on being present. And that dear friends is exactly why I decided put my cell away for three days (that and I was challenged by my life coach to let go).
Tips for your Digi Detox
Commit to a day & timeframe. Like any detox, this one takes preparation. Set your dates in advance and be honest about just how long you can do it. Challenge yourself, but also try not to schedule a digital detox for a time when you truly need to have access to your phone. A long weekend is an ideal time to disappear.
What’s your intention? Get clear on why you’re doing the detox and what you hope to gain. This will keep you motivated if you are tempted to pick your phone back up.
Let your people know you’re taking a break. The day or so before you go off the grid, tell those closest to you that you’re taking a mental vacay and won’t be accessible for a few days. This is important as you don’t want your mom filing a missing persons report because she couldn’t reach you.
Plan a fun activity or see where the days take you. I’m all for a self playdate and a digi detox is a wonderful chance to take full advantage of this. Go old school and use a roadmap to figure out directions to where you want to go. Skip the Yelp review and try a new restaurant based on a hunch.
Place your phone in a safe place, turn it off, and live! You will be tempted to use it. Your muscle memory will having you reaching for it every few minutes, but you can retrain yourself not to rely on as much.
When it’s time to come back from your detox, gradually re-introduce yourself to technology. Create new boundaries and guidelines for how you want to use your phone, when, and for how long. Remember that you don’t have to dive back into what you left behind.
I know the idea of leaving your phone behind can seem impossible. We are so attached to our devices, yet I don’t think we are intended to be dependent on them. Let’s break the habit. I believe you can do it and most importantly you must believe you can too. Release your ball and chain and rediscover your self reliance and inner peace. Breathe in the moment and enjoy.
Journal your journey
You know I couldn’t resist. Grab a notebook and keep a diary of your digital detox. What new things are you noticing in your everyday life that you may have overlooked because you were so engulfed in your phone?