Digital Detox: What I Discovered When I Put My Phone Away for 24 Hours
Michael Alf
???? ???? Aussie-German Champion of AI/GenAI-Driven Transformation & Key Account Management ?? | ?? Keynote Speaker & AI-Coach for Executives ?? | Co-Creator Maverick | ?? Author ? Operating Globally from ????
My Phone-Free Experiment
Last weekend, I did something that felt almost radical in today's hyperconnected world - I went 24 hours without my phone. I honestly can't remember the last time I did this. The experiment was part of a 21-day challenge by Ryan Holiday, the renowned author on Stoic philosophy, and it turned out to be more revealing than I expected.
The Experience
From Saturday morning to Sunday morning, I navigated life without my digital companion. The first few hours were... interesting. I caught myself repeatedly reaching for my phone - to check the weather, scroll through news, or look up random facts. It was like a phantom limb syndrome, but for technology. However, what happened next surprised me.
The Revelations
As the hours passed, that initial discomfort transformed into something unexpected - a sense of presence. The constant urge to check my phone faded, replaced by a clearer, more focused state of mind. The most fascinating discovery? The thing I missed most wasn't social media or emails, but rather the ability to fact-check during conversations with my wife. Those moments when we'd typically turn to Wikipedia for quick answers became opportunities for deeper discussions instead.
The Challenges and Adaptations
One practical hurdle I'm now facing as I try to implement more phone-free periods is the two-factor authentication dilemma. It's remarkable how many of our digital security measures rely on our phones being constantly accessible. However, I'm working on solutions, including designated "phone-silent" periods and keeping the device in flight mode during focused times.
Moving Forward
This experiment has prompted me to rethink my relationship with my phone. While complete disconnection isn't practical in today's world, I'm implementing new boundaries - creating intentional spaces in my day where my phone isn't the default companion for every idle moment.
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Your Turn
While this newsletter usually focuses on AI and technological trends and the link to humanity, sometimes we need to step back and examine our human experience in this exponential age.
I'd love to hear about your experiences with digital detoxes. Have you tried something similar? What did you discover? What strategies have you developed to maintain a healthy relationship with technology?
Share your thoughts here, connect with me on LinkedIn, or reach out directly.
And please let me know what topics you'd like to explore in future newsletters.
This is about putting humanity at the center of our technological world - one conscious choice at a time.
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead.
Michael
Admin Officer
1 个月Love this dad! You have inspired me to do the same ????
Co-founder @Atlantic-Health-Wellness-Summit | Founder at @WOME_box | MBA | Pharmacist
1 个月I also look into spending more and more time without having my phone at reach. I realised that if I'm not seeing it or able to reach it, the interruptions are reduced drastically. Imagining it as an only for calls device, also helps to keep my hands away from reaching to it. Using flight mode during the night or in some work focus moments is really helpful. The author Nir Eyal has lots of good tips. I believe it was him that was giving the social media passwords to his assistant during the week and she would give him the access only friday evening! And, although fact checking is a major use case, it's really a good practice to use it more consciously!