Are you ready for a detox?
I went offline for a full day last weekend, out of curiosity, and to see how it would affect my mental health.
I wanted to see what would emerge in the quiet, in the spaces usually filled by pings, scrolling, and screen glow.
To make it through, I prepped the night before, like I was packing for a miniature expedition.
My survival kit was analogue and modest: a Casio A168 to keep time, a small field notebook with my to-do list and gym workout handwritten from my phone, and a book for company. Without my phone to default to, the day stretched open.
I read. I wrote. I did laundry, went grocery shopping, hit the gym, and later, joined a writers' meet.
The only time I had to reach for my phone was to make payments.
Boredom was the most surprising challenge. Not the kind that comes from having nothing to do, but the kind that shows up when emotions go unchecked.
When frustration and restlessness crept in, I noticed how often my instinct was to distract myself with a screen.
Without the option, I had to sit with those feelings, or channel them into action.
I won't pretend I've had an epiphany or that I'll be tossing my phone anytime soon.
The reality of my work makes a full-day detox impractical most of the time.
But I do want to carve out more intentional windows - four to six hours of no notifications, feeds or distractions.
A day offline wasn't revolutionary. But it was revealing.
- Naman Arora
Spending a day without my phone was surprisingly grounding, even with an unexpected hiccup.
I had planned a quiet, gadget-free Friday, with a bit of shopping, of course.
The morning was peaceful, I made a tea, read a book, exercised at the gym and played with my lovely cat, Luna.
It was strange at first to not check social media, but I came to love it as I realised that the overload of information aggravated my anxiety.
After I finished my morning routine, I decided to go to the mall and do some shopping to kill time. Then came the curveball – I got into my car and it wouldn't start!
I reluctantly pulled out my phone and after Googling a few questions and realising the battery was dead, I called my car rental company's roadside assistance.
Once the battery was replaced, I was able to relax and enjoy the rest of the day without being on my phone, aside from a quick text from my editor about an article.
However, that brief emergency did not pull me back into the digital world, but it did make me question whether I could truly live without a phone.
The modern world has become increasingly reliant on Google, ChatGPT and social media apps to fix problems and provide information on a range of topics.
And, while these tools are useful, it reminded me that they shouldn't be a constant, but rather a tool we use on occasion to make our lives easier.
- Julia Cassano
One thing that social media time took away from me is my passion for reading.
I used to be able to read an 800-page book in around two to three weeks, now I can barely read 20 pages a day without getting distracted or tired!
So I decided to use my afternoon time to read as I embarked on my detox challenge.
By the 70-page mark, my mom called me to help her, ironically, with technical problems she was having with her own phone, and I ended up spending some time in the living room with my family until it was time to go meet up with my friends for our board game night at around 6pm.
I did use WhatsApp to text them agreeing on a time, because it was easier than calling each one of them individually, but other than that I did not even feel the desire to open any apps.
I had a great time with my friends, until around 1am and then headed home.
Though I give myself time off social media often, I allow myself to go on YouTube, so this time I wanted to see if I could go on without it. It definitely was extremely difficult, and the first thing I did after the 24 hours passed was to treat myself to a one-hour video essay! And what a treat that was.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Weekly
29-05-2025
- Gulf Weekly
Switch off!
So many of you have come forward and accepted GulfWeekly's digital detox challenge. As mental health awareness month comes to an end in May, we are thrilled to share some more experiences of people going offline for 24 hours – no gadgets, no social media – successfully culminating our campaign. My initial reluctance to sign up to a day without digital was a signal that it was exactly what I needed. At first, I felt uneasy about not responding to messages or wondering if I was missing something important. Several times during the morning, I turned to my phone, out of habit, rather than necessity. Having the space, the pause, I noticed a shift away from this automated, mindless, compulsivity. I savoured the small moments, like the taste and smell of my crispy peanut butter breakfast toast, which I ate slowly and mindfully. Giving myself permission to not be available 24/7 has reminded me that it's OK to give myself space to connect with myself. I've rested, got my stuff done. I've remembered to breathe. I plan to make this a regular ritual: one full day a month where I unplug and return to myself. And the world can wait. – Beth Noble, 52, Psychotherapist At first, I kept checking my pockets for a phone that wasn't there. But the silence grew comforting. I spent the day journaling, playing board games with my family, and finally organising my space — something I had been procrastinating. Without the pressure to check messages or scroll, I noticed I was more patient and relaxed. The detox reminded me that my time is valuable and doesn't always need to be spent online. It was a much-needed reset and I plan to do it more often. - Bhavna Malkani, 31, Accountant Breakfast, the sand, breeze, and coffee that I can drink without rushing – these are some things that went 'online' when I went offline – refraining from social media for a week made me live more! I had a calling to grow in spirit and could see beyond my daily life. Everything came alive when I started to bother less about my phone dying. I was able to find real connections without the Internet and admire real scenes without 'filters'. It is only when we participate in real life that we will know the true essence of it is beyond our screens. - Jeah Valerio, 28, Artist Going phone-free for 24 hours was harder than I expected. The FOMO ('fear of missing out') hit me early in the day, but it gradually turned into a sense of peace. I ended up sketching – a hobby I hadn't touched in years – and even cooked a new recipe from scratch. Without digital noise, my thoughts felt clearer and my anxiety reduced. It also gave me more time to talk with my sibling, which we rarely do. This detox showed me that small breaks from the digital world can have a big impact on mental clarity and connection. – Riash, 35, Sales officer Spending 24 hours without social media or my phone was eye-opening but also a challenge. I felt more focused during patient consultations and truly listened, without distractions. The day felt calmer and more present, allowing me to have a face-to-face discussions with my colleagues which otherwise has become very rare. I did sleep better that night. However, I also felt a bit disconnected from the outside world and curious about updates. Overall, the experience reminded me of the importance of being present and how digital detox can enhance my work and well-being.
Gulf Weekly
22-05-2025
- Gulf Weekly
Freedom from gadgets
1. For someone who has spent most of her life working in the media, the constant news barrage took its toll on my health. So, many years ago, I decided to spend one precious day a week without using my mobile, a digital detox for my sanity. I deliberately shut out the world, silencing notifications from my mobile and embracing the quiet. Twenty-five years of this practice has given me immense joy, peace and stability. People always tell me that I look happy and younger than my age! Going offline has also taught me patience and endurance, making me a better person, ready for any challenges that life has to offer. I continue to 'detox' to this day, especially during weekends. The irony of it - I am happiest whenever I am not touching my mobile. Prioritising my mental health above all is the best decision I've ever made in my life. - Nanju Francisco, 59, Filipino media specialist 2. Living a day without the phone? Unthinkable, right? Trust me, it is both liberating and refreshing. Ironically, I attempted this a few weeks ago and felt refreshed albeit just for a day but it was worth it. Jumped out of bed, resisted the urge to 'Wordle', instead dived into the newspaper with my cuppa. The GDN it was! Then hopped on my bicycle for a long ride into oblivion; soaked in nature, listened to the many tunes of happy birds and got doused with a spray of water from a garden sprinkler, gone wild. Liberating! Withdrawal symptoms sans phone? Sure! Not checking it constantly for updates on social media made me calmer and Zen-like as I immersed myself in other hobbies. As the day progressed, I got restive and called friends I had not seen in a while on my landline. Sadly, a gadget meant to connect us is losing its flavour as it slowly disconnects us from the real world and real people. No thanks to social media, the 'digital drug' that's getting us hooked. I plan to make phone-free days a habit rather than a one-off challenge. – Sheela Pai, 63, retired Indian banker 3. The digital detox challenge is something I do regularly. I often take time away from gadgets. Even on a daily basis, I have set a time limit after which phone usage is only to attend to important calls. Instead of spending hours scrolling , I love to read and write. For news updates, I prefer to listen to the radio or read the newspaper. Going for regular evening walks with my son Parth is a must, which gives us time to connect with nature, observing the sunset and sunrise, listening to chirping birds from dawn to dusk - it uplifts me. And, I never carry the phone. Meditating on a regular basis also helps me distract myself from screens. I am happy, calm and relaxed when I step away from my device. I have observed that I don't crave screentime and continue to pursue my hobbies and have meaningful interactions with loved ones. – Parul Sharma, 40, Indian homemaker and part-time teacher 4. GDN and GulfWeekly reporter Nader Adnan also accepted the challenge! Here's what he had to say. Going into this challenge. I avoided all screen time, except occasionally checking my phone for urgent or work-related messages. I avoided social media in its entirety, and learned very quickly that I did not miss it. It was refreshing going through the day without negativity or doom scrolling. Instead, I went through my camera – photography is one of my hobbies – and discovered a couple of new settings and features I've never seen before! I like going for walks and usually do so with headphones. No screen time however meant no music, and it felt weird walking around the neighbourhood without songs in my ears. I ended up actually observing my surroundings more mindfully. I realised that other than a couple of instances here and there, I did not really miss my phone that much, although it did feel weird paying for something in cash instead of BenefitPay!
Gulf Weekly
08-05-2025
- Gulf Weekly
Are you ready for a detox?
In honour of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, GulfWeekly has taken up the 'digital detox' challenge where our '24x7 alert' reporters dared to 'switch off' for 24 hours! That means – no gadgets and no social media. This week, a section of them share their experience first-hand. I went offline for a full day last weekend, out of curiosity, and to see how it would affect my mental health. I wanted to see what would emerge in the quiet, in the spaces usually filled by pings, scrolling, and screen glow. To make it through, I prepped the night before, like I was packing for a miniature expedition. My survival kit was analogue and modest: a Casio A168 to keep time, a small field notebook with my to-do list and gym workout handwritten from my phone, and a book for company. Without my phone to default to, the day stretched open. I read. I wrote. I did laundry, went grocery shopping, hit the gym, and later, joined a writers' meet. The only time I had to reach for my phone was to make payments. Boredom was the most surprising challenge. Not the kind that comes from having nothing to do, but the kind that shows up when emotions go unchecked. When frustration and restlessness crept in, I noticed how often my instinct was to distract myself with a screen. Without the option, I had to sit with those feelings, or channel them into action. I won't pretend I've had an epiphany or that I'll be tossing my phone anytime soon. The reality of my work makes a full-day detox impractical most of the time. But I do want to carve out more intentional windows - four to six hours of no notifications, feeds or distractions. A day offline wasn't revolutionary. But it was revealing. - Naman Arora Spending a day without my phone was surprisingly grounding, even with an unexpected hiccup. I had planned a quiet, gadget-free Friday, with a bit of shopping, of course. The morning was peaceful, I made a tea, read a book, exercised at the gym and played with my lovely cat, Luna. It was strange at first to not check social media, but I came to love it as I realised that the overload of information aggravated my anxiety. After I finished my morning routine, I decided to go to the mall and do some shopping to kill time. Then came the curveball – I got into my car and it wouldn't start! I reluctantly pulled out my phone and after Googling a few questions and realising the battery was dead, I called my car rental company's roadside assistance. Once the battery was replaced, I was able to relax and enjoy the rest of the day without being on my phone, aside from a quick text from my editor about an article. However, that brief emergency did not pull me back into the digital world, but it did make me question whether I could truly live without a phone. The modern world has become increasingly reliant on Google, ChatGPT and social media apps to fix problems and provide information on a range of topics. And, while these tools are useful, it reminded me that they shouldn't be a constant, but rather a tool we use on occasion to make our lives easier. - Julia Cassano One thing that social media time took away from me is my passion for reading. I used to be able to read an 800-page book in around two to three weeks, now I can barely read 20 pages a day without getting distracted or tired! So I decided to use my afternoon time to read as I embarked on my detox challenge. By the 70-page mark, my mom called me to help her, ironically, with technical problems she was having with her own phone, and I ended up spending some time in the living room with my family until it was time to go meet up with my friends for our board game night at around 6pm. I did use WhatsApp to text them agreeing on a time, because it was easier than calling each one of them individually, but other than that I did not even feel the desire to open any apps. I had a great time with my friends, until around 1am and then headed home. Though I give myself time off social media often, I allow myself to go on YouTube, so this time I wanted to see if I could go on without it. It definitely was extremely difficult, and the first thing I did after the 24 hours passed was to treat myself to a one-hour video essay! And what a treat that was.
