We’re pretty much all addicted to our phones, and ever since TikTok came along, that addiction has only gotten stronger. Of course, being addicted to your phone isn’t a good thing, not only do we miss out on time because we’re glued to our screens, but there are also real health risks : eye strain, lack of concentration, sleep disorders, and so on, all of these are valid reasons to consider doing a digital detox. Right now on social media, there’s a trend called: “Media I have consumed instead of media scrolling.” As you’ve probably guessed, it’s about showcasing the more meaningful content you’ve consumed instead of just mindlessly scrolling.
Honestly, when I came across a video of someone sharing the articles, podcasts, and YouTube videos they had consumed, I was inspired. After not reading any articles for a while, I decided to give it a go, and I have to admit, it’s something I now want to include in my daily routine.
Sure, some people think this trend is just about showing off how “intellectual” they are, and they find it annoying. But I think it reflects something deeper. People are growing tired of social media, which is becoming more and more toxic, and they’re searching for an escape, something I’d call more cultural.
All of this led me to write this article. A digital detox, as the name suggests, is about taking a break from digital devices. It may seem difficult, especially if you’re addicted to social media, but it’s actually easier than you think.
We tend to believe that without our phones, we’ll be bored or miss out on the latest pop culture news. But in reality, none of that really matters. I once read a quote that said, “A person doesn’t have time to be bored when they have a brain to feed, a body to train, and an empire to build.” Ever since then, I’ve refused to let myself get bored, because it’s so true.
Of course, if you’re a content creator, this detox might be more challenging, but it’s still totally possible. The goal isn’t to get rid of your phone completely, it’s about finding a healthy balance between digital life and real life.
Once that’s in place, you can begin your digital detox. Here are a few tips to help you get started :
- Start small with app time limits. Set daily screen time limits on certain apps, and ask a friend or family member to set the passcode for you so you can’t override it. Once you no longer have access to those apps, you’ll naturally spend less time on your phone.
- Switch your screen to black and white. This is a surprisingly effective way to make your phone less appealing and break the dopamine cycle of endless scrolling.
- Pick up a hobby. Once you stop using your phone as much, you’ll need something else to fill that time. Read, write, crochet, anything you’ve wanted to do but always “didn’t have time for.”
- Go outside. And I mean really go outside. Have a picnic, go hiking, walk your daily 10k steps in your local park, just don’t stay cooped up inside.
- Reconnect with your loved ones. These days, we rely so much on instant messaging that we rarely make time to see people in real life. During your digital detox, you’ll find you have way more free time, use it to catch up in real life with people, even if there’s no special occasion.
- Take one full phone-free day. Pick a day when you don’t use your phone at all (except for emergency calls). Let your close ones know in advance, then switch off your Wi-Fi and focus on yourself for the day.
- Avoid using your phone when you wake up and before going to bed. Give your brain a little breathing space. Ideally, spend at least 20 minutes screen-free in the morning and at night.
- If you work in social media, set clear work windows. Dedicate a specific time block for creating and posting content. During that window, focus only on your work, not on what others are doing. Ideally, set aside one day to create and schedule all your posts, so you can step back and let them roll out on their own.
I hope this little guide helps you ease into your digital detox, and maybe even inspires you to give it a real try. I’ll catch you soon in a new article !