I am back online after a short hiatus.
The need for change is how I began this digital minimalism.. I was deep into mindless social media scrolling, online searches, YouTube watching and sometimes game playing. Although I began to spend less time using my phone, I felt the need to make a bigger change. The idea began when I discovered Cal Newport’s book, Digital Minimalism. I read the book twice and made a commitment to try a month of detox suggested in the book.. It was a great way to start fresh.
I’m not going to lie, the first few days were rough. I would mindlessly reach for my phone out of habit.
Instead of randomly picking up my phone, I would pick up a book to read. I was prepared with an arsenal of good reads.
As days passed it got easier, I forget about my phone and what I was missing online, it felt like freedom. After the 31 days I re-evaluated how and why I use online sites, social media apps and what was necessary to keep or let go. The digital detox was an eye opening experience.
How I spent my time during the 31 days of digital detox:
- I finished 4 books and Digital Minimalism I read twice.
- Painted my art studio (spare bedroom) purged items, repaired walls and organized the space
- Found my old iPod during a clean up (it still worked!) I used it to listen to music
- Early morning walks, and sometimes an afternoon hike with my daughter
- Evening stargazing on my deck with the binoculars
- Organized every closet, and kitchen drawer or cabinet in the house
- Purged and donated many things we didn’t need anymore
- Created a reading nook in my living room
- Phone conversations and less texting
- More daydreaming
When my art space was back to normal I began to create and experiment with my art supplies. Somedays I only doodled, lots of ink doodles.
I highly recommend any of the books above. The Practice by Seth Godin a great read for any creative.
Thank you for taking time to read my journey.
jennifer barrile 
This sounds inspiring – and also a bit frightening and confronting, I have to say, am not sure I would manage to do this (which probably means I’d need it?).
It is hard in the beginning but it gets better & easier as time passes. It is manageable to attempt if you decide to try it. The reason why I decided to post about this process, maybe it could help or inspire someone else. Thanks for taking the time to read it!
A digital de-tox! Sounds drastic, but it sounds like you made good use of the time. 🙂
Hi Judith… Ahh sorry Im just seeing your post a year later, I never got back to my blog after my first detox. This past January I did my second digital detox just for a month. It feels odd returning back to something Ive been away from for awhile.
I hope all is going well for you. I’m sure it does feel odd to be back now. 🙂
Love this! I’m 58 years old and recently made up my mind to no longer accept conversation via emails or Messenger. If people want to get in touch, they have to call on the phone (talking, no texting). There are way too many misunderstandings via email. Not everyone is a writer like myself and sometimes they just blow me off with an “ok” – which is NOT “ok” by me. Since many people don’t have proper writing skills, I’ve lost all patience. My husband hates social media and doesn’t have a smart phone. His friends CALL, which is a beautiful thing. I envy that but trust my life will now go in that wonderful direction.
Thanks for your comment Maryanne. Sorry I didn’t respond sooner this is my first time returning back to my blog since my first media detox. Good for you on keeping in touch with people via phone calls. Sounds like your hubby likes things simple, kudos to him! I remember a time without cell phones and internet stuff, ahh the good ole days.
I talk to people over the phone but my friends and some family mainly text, or via messenger, so I am just use to it. (luckily I don’t deal with lots of texting or messages)