Random Thoughts from my 30-Day Digital Declutter

Yesterday, I finished my 30-Day Digital Declutter. It was great!! I will share more details about it when I have had some time to write it up in a cohesive manner. But for now, I thought I’d just share some more or less random thoughts I wrote down during the last 30 days. These are in chronological order and I think they give a glimpse into how this experiment has changed my mindset.

Week 1:

• I notice the impulse to check my phone every time I finish something or come home. My first impulse is to check my phone. Not having that option leaves an odd kind of gap.

• I noticed the impulse to look things up every time I come across a question or new information. However, most of it is not really relevant. It makes me wonder how much I’m filling my head with unnecessary information – and how much that might distract me from what’s important.

• It’s a bit weird to not know what’s going on in the world, but not necessarily in a bad way.

• I’m craving something to do while eating. I used to either be on my phone, watch TV, or listen to a podcast during meals. It’s weird to do nothing. Though I wonder if it’s maybe good for me?

• I notice on days when I have to use my phone more for work, it’s harder to stay away than on days when I just don’t use it at all.

• I feel a bit lost during micro breaks. Like when I have 10 minutes before an appointment, what did I use to fill that time with before smartphones? I wonder if just doing nothing for 10 minutes will start to feel more natural in a couple of weeks.

• I haven’t charged by phone in 3 days!! Maybe it’s not the phone’s fault that the battery always dies so quickly but my usage?!?!

• I was at my osteopath today and I noticed this amazingly beautiful lamp in the waiting area. I have sat in that exact spot multiple times in the last few weeks, but I never noticed the lamp. Why? Because I would’ve been on my phone instead of looking around. It makes me wonder what other beautiful things I’ve missed because I’ve been staring at my phone.

Week 2:

• I feel more present throughout the day. Those little empty moments in my day that I used to fill with mindless scrolling are now moments stillness. Moments of taking in my surroundings. Moments of checking in with myself. Moments of presence. I love that.

• Not checking emails outside of working hours has been one of the best things so far but also one of the most uncomfortable. I need to resist the feeling of guilt. I need to let go of the idea that I need to be always available to be considered good at my job.

• Usually, I like lazy Sunday mornings. I sleep in, read, journal, and reflect on the week. Today I didn’t feel the need for it. I think it’s because I already had time for all the mindfulness during the week. I felt energized, so I got up early and walked to the beach for sunrise.

• I feel so much calmer and more grounded. Work has been super busy and usually I would feel stressed and overwhelmed. But I feel calm and balanced.

• I got back from swimming and had a half hour before I had to start work. My default was to try and fill that time with something productive: read, write, start work early. But instead, I just sat in silence for 20 minutes and did nothing. Just sat and let my mind wander. It was magical. Makes me think that maybe that’s what I need more of: nothingness. Not more productivity or more activities, but just more stillness.

• I do miss brainless entertainment at times. I feel like watching Netflix or scrolling on my phone takes way less brain power than reading or creative projects. Sometimes it would be nice to have those easy downtime options.

Week 3:

• I’m starting to feel like life with less tech is becoming normal. I’m getting used to it. It’s lost some of its novelty and excitement, which is a bit sad. But I feel really good and am enjoying the experiment.

• It’s interesting how quickly the absence of news has become normal. It felt weird at first, but now it feels natural.

• One thing that has changed completed over the last few weeks are my lunch breaks. I often used to spent the time mindlessly scrolling on my phone or maybe listening to a podcast. With those options unavailable, I’m often going to the beach with my coffee after lunch. I just sit on the bench at the top of the dunes, taking in the views and salty air. I never take my phone. A much better way to spend lunch breaks!

• I don’t think it’s using less tech itself that has made the biggest difference. I think, more than anything, it’s the time its freed up that makes the biggest difference. Time I now spend more mindfully. I’m less distracted and more present.

• Checking messages only a handful of times a day, for five minutes max, is probably the most frustrating part of this declutter. It creates in communication challenges and the other day I missed out on an opportunity to see a friend in real life because I didn’t see the message in time.

Week 4:

• For the first time in three weeks, I’m genuinely considering breaking my digital declutter rules. I won’t, but I’m tempted. It’s Sunday. I’m fighting off a cold. I’m low energy. I finished two books, been to the beach, wrote a letter, did some origami and colouring. Now it’s 5:30. I’m tired but bored. The temptation to turn on Netflix is strong, but I won’t.

• I’m almost at the end of my digital detox. I feel almost sad about it. And worried! This next part will be the hard bit for me: finding a healthy middle ground. I’ve always been good with extremes. It’s easy for me to be extremely low tech for 30 days. Finding ways to bring more tech back into my life without it taking over again and losing sight of the lessons I learned in the last 30 days—that will be the hard part.

• Day 30! It went by so quickly. I can honestly say this was one of the bets things I’ve done for myself in a long time. So many amazing realisations and I feel so much more present. I will start bringing more tech back into my life but slowly and intentionally. There are definitely some rules I will make permanent.

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