Discover the impact of a 7-day digital detox on anxiety, dopamine, and overall wellness. Join me, Jamie MacDonald, as I share my journey of locking away my phone and embracing a week without social media. Learn how this experiment changed my habits, mindset, and daily life.
While I haven't done a full-on detox, I pretty regularly leave my phone in another room. I've also removed all social media apps from my phone and the only notifications that come through are for texts and calls - even emails are verboten - I need to open up the app or browser to see if I've received any. It's made me a lot more present, way less anxious, and less likely to get sucked into a noisy parallel reality (which is what the internet feels like tat this point). That being said... sometimes you want to look at a solid memes or watch the latest breakdown of the Drake vs Kendrick feud while on the subway. But ultimately, a phone should only be a tool, not an appendage. I find life without phone in hand to be way more interesting and creative.
Love that you're on the right path. Totally agree on "I find life without phone in hand to be way more interesting and creative."
I've started to slowly notice a general awareness in how much we all use our phones, hopefully the shift is happening. Being aware and doing things like deleting apps, not checking emails constantly, not constantly seeking that dopamine hit, is a start in getting some of our attention back. I'm due for another detox soon, going to plan one for some point in June.
Wowww that Christopher Nolan quote is so powerful (as is your experience — particularly dealing with difficult emotions vs numbing them). This has given me pause that I might build up to this in the next few weeks.
Good for you Jamie! Thank you for sharing! I’ve definitely done this before and it’s such a great reminder of simpler times and less detrimental ways of filling our time and minds. Charging phones in the kitchen at night, wifi and Bluetooth off at night and red light mode activated are things I’ve done for a few years now also. Always a book on the bedside.
Thanks, Natalie. I can't recommend it enough. Three or so weeks later I feel much less attached to my phone. Especially my social media use, I barely check it. Planning to do another reset/detox the first week of May to keep up the habit. Perhaps, with time, I'll be able to keep the smartphone but will have trained myself to snap out of the bad habits. We'll see.
While I haven't done a full-on detox, I pretty regularly leave my phone in another room. I've also removed all social media apps from my phone and the only notifications that come through are for texts and calls - even emails are verboten - I need to open up the app or browser to see if I've received any. It's made me a lot more present, way less anxious, and less likely to get sucked into a noisy parallel reality (which is what the internet feels like tat this point). That being said... sometimes you want to look at a solid memes or watch the latest breakdown of the Drake vs Kendrick feud while on the subway. But ultimately, a phone should only be a tool, not an appendage. I find life without phone in hand to be way more interesting and creative.
Love that you're on the right path. Totally agree on "I find life without phone in hand to be way more interesting and creative."
I've started to slowly notice a general awareness in how much we all use our phones, hopefully the shift is happening. Being aware and doing things like deleting apps, not checking emails constantly, not constantly seeking that dopamine hit, is a start in getting some of our attention back. I'm due for another detox soon, going to plan one for some point in June.
Wowww that Christopher Nolan quote is so powerful (as is your experience — particularly dealing with difficult emotions vs numbing them). This has given me pause that I might build up to this in the next few weeks.
Good for you Jamie! Thank you for sharing! I’ve definitely done this before and it’s such a great reminder of simpler times and less detrimental ways of filling our time and minds. Charging phones in the kitchen at night, wifi and Bluetooth off at night and red light mode activated are things I’ve done for a few years now also. Always a book on the bedside.
Thanks, Natalie. I can't recommend it enough. Three or so weeks later I feel much less attached to my phone. Especially my social media use, I barely check it. Planning to do another reset/detox the first week of May to keep up the habit. Perhaps, with time, I'll be able to keep the smartphone but will have trained myself to snap out of the bad habits. We'll see.