A perfect way to reconnect by disconnecting.

Let’s face it, our lives revolve around our phones. From waking up to a not-so-pleasing alarm and getting study updates to scrolling through endless reels and snapping our coffee before even taking a sip, technology pretty much makes up our entire day. 

And while we all love and enjoy the convenience of instant texts, cute filters and being up to date with what exactly everyone’s up to (thanks, Instagram), it’s also important to consider the negative side effects it can bring. 

Studies have made a correlation between excessive screen time to poor sleep, anxiety and even social detachment. There’s even a word for when someone ignores you to look at their phone and it’s called phubbing. Now combine that with a heavy dose of “digital FOMO” and it’s easy to see why feeling overwhelmed is so common.

So, I decided to try something different. A digital detox. And here’s my experience with it.

What is a digital detox?

A digital detox isn’t about throwing your phone into a lake. It’s about intentionally stepping away from your phone to reset your mind.

There are many types of detoxes. Some people throw away their phone entirely, while others (like me) choose a social media detox, which is when you keep your essentials like emails, school updates and work messages, but ditch apps like Instagram and TikTok.

Now, this might sound small, but when you’re someone like me and are nicknamed “chronically online” by my friends and many others saying “if there’s a meme out there, she knows it, ” it’s a big deal.

Preparing for the detox

Before starting, I made a list of things I could do instead of scrolling. Reading, walking, cooking, painting, etc., anything that didn’t involve a screen.

I also listed out academic tasks I’d been putting off (because let’s be real, procrastination and TikTok go hand-in-hand).

My digital detox daily log

Monday:
I will be honest, the first day was rough. Very rough. My fingers ached to check my phone every few minutes. Any free time I got, I would want to spend it laughing at a TikTok and scrolling through reels. I felt restless, like I had too much time on my hands. 

Out of boredom (and frustration), I asked my friend to go on a walk to the lake. We ended up talking about everything from childhood cartoons to our career dreams. I came home, tired but peaceful. I actually slept early for the first time in weeks.

Tuesday:
Determined to make the day count, I started with cheffing up breakfast for me and my sister (hashbrowns, toast and eggs, if you’re curious). I even indulged in some workout and journalling (or at least attempted to). Later, I decided to organize my coursework and took a short Coursera course on Data Analytics that I’d been postponing for months.

Wednesday:
I had a shift at the Humber Polytechnic North campus. The bus ride was long and my instincts screamed to open my phone, but instead, I watched the sunrise paint the sky orange. I tried a paint-by-number kit and the activity felt very meditative, almost like therapy.

After work, I wandered around the Humber Arboretum and the changing leaf colours made the walk so worth it… until it started raining, of course. 

Thursday:
By now, I was getting used to the silence. I filled my free time by trying out some new recipes (which turned out surprisingly well) and catching up on assignments. My productivity was at an all-time high and for once, I didn’t feel drained after studying.

Friday & Saturday:
To wrap up the week, I decided to treat myself. My friend and I visited the Royal Ontario Museum. We debated over which dinosaur is the best, admired the shiny gemstones and were awestruck by all the paintings and the details the arts held. We ended the day with gelato and a walk through a very Blue Jays downtown Toronto, talking about the enthusiasm and the uplifting spirit of every fan that we passed by.

Sunday:
The final day of my detox was spent at home. I cleaned and reorganized my room, tried out a new pasta recipe and planned for the upcoming week. My screen time that day? Just under two hours. A personal record!

What I learned

When the week ended, I didn’t feel the need to rush to reinstall every app. Instead, it was the opposite. I realized how much lighter and relaxed my day felt when I didn’t start my day off with scrolling through Instagram.

I had rediscovered my hobbies, spent my days with a better mental mindset and didn’t constantly compare myself to everyone I see online. Most importantly, I learned that the world doesn’t fall apart when you disconnect. It just gets a little quieter, and in that quietness, you find yourself again.

So, if you’re thinking about a digital detox, here’s my advice: do it intentionally. Regain control.

Because sometimes, the best way to reconnect is to disconnect.

Feature image courtesy of Gilles Lambert on Unsplash.

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