Recently, a popular radio show encouraged listeners to take on a one-week challenge: put your phone down and embrace the boredom. They argued that constant device usage prevents us from experiencing that uncomfortable feeling of being bored, which can actually spark creativity. Instead of reaching for our phones to alleviate our boredom, the challenge invites us to simply sit with it.
Of course, I came across this idea while clicking away on my laptop and listening on my tablet. I must admit that I’ve developed a troubling attachment to my phone; it’s become a fidget toy of sorts, much like cigarettes used to be for me. I find myself checking Facebook compulsively, even when I’m already scrolling through it. It’s like I’m a little monkey, pressing a lever for treats, only now the lever is my smartphone.
When I attempted to cut back on my phone use, my mind resorted to typical addictive reasoning: “It’s past five; I can check now,” or “If I wait another half hour, that proves I’m not addicted.” It felt like being on an endless bender. So, my partner and I decided to embark on a weekend free of screens.
On Friday, I frantically emailed everyone I knew, declaring, “I’m off the grid this weekend! Call me if you need me!” Then we powered down our devices and stashed our phones on a shelf.
First Observation
Not a single person called. Our weekends often involve spontaneous meet-ups with friends, but since we didn’t think to invite anyone beforehand, we ended up solo. It seems our friends didn’t feel that seeing us warranted a phone call. To be fair, we didn’t reach out either, which seemed to indicate we had become so averse to phone conversations that we’d rather sit in silence than dial a number. (Interestingly, when my child pretends to talk on the phone, he always adopts a confrontational tone—“I’m telling you, it’s not working!”—which makes it clear that phones are now mainly for shouting at customer service reps.) My reluctance towards phone calls has only intensified since texting became the norm.
Entertainment Drought
Next up was the entertainment drought. Going screen-free meant no TV, movies, or even much music, as we hadn’t bought physical albums in ages. We dusted off our meager collection of ’90s CDs and turned an evening into a “name that tune” game. “Is it ‘Free Fallin’?” “Yes! Your turn!” “Is it ‘I Won’t Back Down’?” “Bingo! Your go!”
We also postponed all the administrative tasks we usually handle online—like managing finances and entering expenses. I even had to calculate babysitting hours manually. At the gym, I couldn’t listen to music or track my workout. We had no paper calendar, so we spent ten minutes guessing which day our child’s birthday fell on. Our clocks are perpetually wrong due to the kids messing with them, so we just winged it for naptime and bedtime. It felt as though we were trapped in a time capsule.
Honestly, living without screens day in and day out seems impractical. The digital age is here, and nearly everything we need is tied to a device—except for oxygen and, of course, Trader Joe’s (which has an app).
Emotional Takeaway
But here’s the surprising emotional takeaway: I felt significantly less frazzled. Typically, my day is a whirlwind of multitasking, often with several virtual demands tugging at my attention. Picture this: I’m trying to get my little one up the stairs while he’s whining like a banshee, and my older child is peppering me with questions about superheroes. On a usual day, I’d be juggling those distractions along with a flurry of notifications from emails, texts, and social media. Each piece of information pulls at my focus, fraying my patience.
During our tech-free weekend, I was able to engage with my kids without the background noise of the virtual world clouding our interactions. It was refreshing to reconnect with my partner without the distractions of other conversations. Even though we’re both usually caught up in our own interests—his political banter and my obsession with MLB statistics—it was a nice change to just enjoy each other’s company. It felt like a retreat from the chaos.
Final Thoughts
So, my advice? Give it a shot! You might find it surprisingly revitalizing. Just remember, once you finish reading this, you might want to close that screen.
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In summary, a tech fast can lead to a clearer mind and deeper connections with the people around you. It’s a unique experience worth exploring, even if just for a weekend.