Technology is amazing in many ways. It allows us to connect with interesting people from across the globe. We have endless entertainment available to us, both through free and premium services. If there’s something you’re curious about, you have instant access to that information, right in your pocket. And if you’re an ambitious creative, like me, you’re well aware that we have the tools to make your dreams happen like never before. It’s a wonderful thing. But at the same time, it’s also taking over our lives. It would be an understatement to say that we could all benefit from taking a moment to disconnect from the digital world.
Scheduling regular digital detoxes into your day or week could seriously elevate your lifestyle in numerous ways. From providing a bit of a dopamine reset to boosting your productivity, there is so much good that can come from giving your eyes a break from the blue light. And there isn’t much harm that can be done by allowing yourself to disconnect from the digital world. Even if you’re a digital creator. Heck, sometimes getting away from my desk is exactly what I need to get a creative spark.
Understandably, you may feel at a bit of a loss for what to do when you allow yourself to disconnect from the digital world. And before you turn on the TV to put on a series to watch, remember that the TV is still a screen. Let’s be a little more creative and do something more mindful. Let’s reconnect with reality, ourselves, and our non-techy hobbies.
Creative Ventures
In my childhood and tween years of dial-up internet and flip phones, no one was spending the majority of their day on their digital devices. Coming up with a way to stay entertained when it came time to disconnect from the digital world didn’t even require much thought. It just depended on what your interests and hobbies were. For me, that usually meant working on some form of creative project. All I needed back then was some paper and something that I could write or draw with. And when I got to play around with paint? It was a dream.
Now that I’m an adult, I have an abundance of high-quality art supplies in my easy reach at my desk. Yet, working with these supplies often takes the back burner to digital content creation, online shopping, and cozy gaming. Or doomscrolling, let’s be honest. Despite knowing that even putting random scribbles on a piece of paper is more productive than wrecking my own mood.
If this resonates with you, perhaps we should both make a pact with ourselves to disconnect from the digital world for a day and break out our art supplies. Let’s just create something. It doesn’t matter if it’s social media-worthy or not. Let’s have fun with this one, and allow ourselves to enjoy the process.
1. Color
If you don’t feel like coming up with your own design, there is a plethora of different coloring books for adults. There’s a coloring book out there for just about every interest and aesthetic, so you’re sure to find one that you’ll enjoy.
2. Draw or Paint
If you have an idea in your head for a drawing or painting, get it out of your head and onto paper. Have some fun with it, rather than striving to create a masterpiece. Even just playing around with different pen and brush strokes can be a fun way to spend an afternoon.
3. Write (On Paper)
Being able to type away on your keyboard and edit your writing on the computer is great. But there is something satisfying about writing on paper with a good-quality pen. Especially if it’s a beautifully designed pen or a fountain pen. So why not grab a cup of tea and write some journal entries or poetry the old-fashioned way? Or write an entire novel.
4. Hand Lettering
Typography is an art form of its own. Quotes, and even single words, can be so elegant when they’ve been laid out perfectly on a page. They make for such lovely wall art; which can sometimes be a bit pricey. So, perhaps, you could break out your paint brushes, brush pens, or other favorite art tool and try your hand at making your own. Have fun playing around with different fonts and lettering styles. Your options with hand lettering are only limited by your creativity.
5. Journal
Whether you choose to keep it simple and just write down your thoughts, or you add in some more artistic elements, journaling is a fun way to get creative. If you’re not sure what to journal about, look up a few prompts before you disconnect from the digital world, and pour your heart into a few of them. Don’t shy away from including some doodles, hand lettering, or scrapbook elements for an added creative touch if you’re feeling artsy.
6. Knitting / Crochet
I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of knitting and crochet and the idea that you can potentially make your own hats, scarves, sweaters, gloves, and blankets. I know I’d need to start small with knitting or crocheting a simple coaster before attempting something as ambitious as a sweater. But it would certainly make for a wonderful cozy hobby to take up on a rainy afternoon.
7. Cross-Stitch
Similarly to knitting and crocheting, cross stitch is another cozy grandma-esque activity that you can create some love things with. Whether you choose to cross-stitch a quote, a simple design, or an intricate work of art, you’ll be able to keep yourself occupied for hours.
8. Take Photos (with an Actual Camera)
The cameras built into our phones are incredible. But if we’re honest with ourselves, we know that they can’t beat the quality of a dedicated DSLR camera. How often do you see a professional photographer using their iPhone for a photoshoot? Never! While there is certainly a learning curve, you can get some incredibly beautiful photos from a DSLR camera that you just aren’t going to get from your phone’s camera.
Also, bonus points if you own a Polaroid or traditional film camera. You won’t be able to see how your pictures turned out until they’re developed. You also won’t be able to edit them. Not without scanning them into your computer. But that’s the fun of it.
9. Play Around with Makeup
For a Millennial who still loves bold eye makeup, I sure do gravitate towards the same three or four looks in my everyday makeup routine. And it’s not so much that I’m afraid of bold looks as it is that I don’t give myself time to experiment with my makeup. So, why not set your phone down, disconnect from the digital world, have a seat at your vanity, and get creative? You don’t have to be getting ready to go anywhere. The fact that you’re not going anywhere opens up your options to experiment even more!
10. Cooking and Baking
Preparing a meal can be a lot of fun when you’re not just going through the motions to get dinner ready. Especially when you’re trying something new. Perhaps, you could attempt to recreate that one meal that’s always been your go-to from that one restaurant. Or maybe an entirely new combination of ingredients popped into your head, and it sounds delicious. Maybe you want to try baking one of the desserts from the aesthetic cookbook that you bought a few years ago. Or you may want to try your hand at cake decorating. Let’s have some fun in the kitchen!
Productive Pursuits
Getting stuff done is an amazing feeling. Whether it’s making plans to bring us closer to our best selves, organizing our space, tackling a project, or enriching our minds, productive ventures surely make us feel as though we have our lives together. And some productive pursuits have a way of boosting our productivity even further. There’s nothing quite like sitting down in a freshly cleaned and organized office with a detailed plan to start your next project. It feels good to be in that space. Plus, you know exactly what you need to be doing as you begin hustling away at your goals or working towards your best life.
As a content creator, I attribute a large portion of my productivity to the work I’m directly putting into creating content. Certainly, it’s objectively productive and essential for me to write and edit content, design graphics, and utilize social media. Those are the job duties of being a content creator. That said, there are also obligations and desires that I have that have little to nothing to do with my content.
As a woman striving to live my best life, I find it highly productive to disconnect from the digital world and do just about anything that sets me up for success. Whether it’s optimizing my organization systems, making solid plans, or hitting the refresh button on my life, it feels good to get my life together. Or to continue to keep my life together.
11. Read a Book
I love non-fiction books that were written to inspire us to go for our dreams and live our best lives. Reading about how a combination of positive thinking and hard work can genuinely transform our lives is certainly motivating. Sometimes, it’s the motivational boost you need to get started. Or to keep going! Plus, finishing a physical book gives you a sense of accomplishment. And regardless of whether you choose to read fiction or non-fiction, you’re surely enriching your mind.
12. Organize and Declutter
It is super satisfying to be in a space where everything has a place and everything is in that place. Especially when your space is not only organized but also aesthetic and appealing to look at. If you’re finding that your space feels a bit cramped and cluttered, it may also benefit you to declutter the things that are no longer serving you. Then you’ll have less to attempt to organize and reorganize.
13. Deep Clean Your Home
The older I get, the more I understand what my mom meant by an organized space not necessarily being a clean space. Dust is not cute and (quite literally) dulls the sparkle of my room. The same goes for the dirt that gets tracked onto the floors from the outside. On the flip side, nothing beats a fresh set of sheets when it’s time to get into bed for the night. Surely, cleaning your home may not be the most exhilarating activity, but it’s highly necessary. It’s also quite satisfying. Especially when you clean under and behind the furniture, and refresh those usually neglected areas.
14. Care For Your Clothing
I love to invest in purchasing beautiful clothes. For many of us, clothing is one of our favorite investments! With that said, let’s make sure we’re taking good care of our clothes so that they can always have us looking put together. Take the time to mend any loose threads that may be dangling from your garments. Spot-treat those stains from your afternoon snack. And don’t neglect to iron and steam your favorite pieces to give them a refresh.
15. Make a Plan to Make IT Happen
We all have at least one big dream or thing on our bucket list that we can’t stop thinking about. Whether it’s starting a business, launching a podcast, traveling to a certain destination, or moving to that big city, let’s plan to make it happen! Seriously, sit down with your notebook, and start writing out a plan to legitimately make your dreams happen. Make it plausible and actionable, but don’t sell yourself short.
16. Plan Out Your Week or Month
Many of us are accustomed to writing out our daily to-do lists as a part of our morning or evening routines. These to-do lists help guide us throughout our day and give us a sense of direction. They help ensure that everything that needs to get done for the day gets done. So, with that in mind, we can similarly plan out our monthly and weekly goals by taking a moment to sit down and decide in advance how and when we’re going to tackle them. Not only does it make it easier to funnel them down into our daily plans, but it also prevents our monthly/weekly goals from falling by the wayside of day-to-day life.
17. Have a Reset Day
I love a good reset day. I like to have reset days in different forms on a weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. Or whenever I feel as though I need one. A reset day is essentially a day spent focused on intention setting, goal planning, tidying your space, and putting a focus on self-care. It makes for the perfect day to disconnect from the digital world as you tune into the world around you, realign with your mind and body, and hit the refresh button on your life.
18. Start an Ideas Notebook
As a content creator, I constantly have ideas popping into my head. Sometimes it’ll be as simple as a concept for content. Other times, I’ll practically have an entire blog post outlined in my mind. That said, it goes without saying that I can’t always get to them right away. But I don’t want to forget a potentially great idea for content. So I’ve decided to dedicate a physical notebook to writing down my content ideas. I also use this same notebook to roughly outline my content before I formally bring the idea to fruition. Or, sometimes, to even pre-write a blog post when I’m nowhere near my desk.
Mindfulness and Wellness Activities
Simply taking a moment to disconnect from the digital world, and take away some of our biggest distractions, is a wonderful exercise for our mindfulness on its own. You essentially have to live in the present moment when you’re not immersed in the storyline of your favorite show. Or when you’re not mindlessly scrolling Instagram. You may find yourself beginning to feel a little bit bored when you remove the constant stream of entertainment, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes, we need to take a moment to just exist.
Certainly, this doesn’t mean that we have to just sit there aimlessly staring off into the universe. Although, sometimes we need a moment to just tune out completely. But we most certainly can use our time away from the blue light to find intentional and fulfilling ways to practice mindfulness. Perhaps, we could use this time to manifest without the influence of outside opinions. Or we can spend this time tuning into our spirituality to tune in to our higher selves. We could also take a moment to give our bodies what they need, especially after long periods of sitting at our desks. Maybe, we could even do all of the above.
19. Meditate
Time intentionally spent sitting quietly in stillness is never wasted, whether it’s 5 minutes, 20 minutes, or an hour. Our minds tend to be very busy and are often trying to keep up with many different things at once. They’re quite incredible, but they most certainly need a break from the constant chatter. Sometimes, we all need to find a quiet place where we can sit comfortably, and quite literally just breathe. Even if it’s only for a few minutes.
20. Practice Gratitude
As human beings, it’s quite easy to find ourselves dwelling on the negative aspects of our lives. Or what we feel we’re lacking. But we all have so many wonderful things going for us, and so much to be grateful for. So let’s take a moment to focus on the good things in our lives, both big and small. Write them down in your journal. Or better yet, get a notebook that you can dedicate to journaling about the things you’re grateful for. And don’t forget to show gratitude for your manifestations, before you even see them in your reality. Because you know they’re coming.
21. Say Affirmations
How we speak to ourselves matters. So go hype yourself up in the mirror, and speak some positivity into your life. Say only positive things to yourself, and let your subconscious know that you really are “THAT girl”.
22. Make a Vision Board
Having a visual of what your dream life looks like makes it feel more attainable and less abstract. So before you disconnect from the digital world, look for some pictures that represent what exactly it is you want and print them out. Whether it’s that designer bag you wish to own, that city you want to move to, the lifestyle you wish to live, or anything else. Don’t forget to include some quotes that inspire you as well! Have some fun laying it all out, and be sure to put it where you’ll frequently see it.
23. Do a Tarot / Oracle Card Reading
If you have an interest in reading tarot and oracle cards as a means to connect with your spirit guides, listen to the universe, and tune in to your energy it can be wonderful to have a card reading session when distractions are minimal. As a disclaimer, I would only recommend doing a reading when you’re feeling relatively positive and open to the message you may receive. And remember to tap into your intuition beyond what the guidebook may tell you.
I understand that this spiritual practice isn’t for everyone. Alternatively, you can also use this time to connect to your spirituality in a way that resonates with you.
24. Touch Grass — No, Seriously
Okay, maybe you don’t have to literally touch grass. Although, it could be quite grounding to walk around in the grass with no shoes on, or to have a seat under a big beautiful tree. But seriously, we should all be going outside and getting some fresh air when the weather is lovely. Take a moment to appreciate just how lovely nature is, even if it’s just from your patio. Feel the warmth of the sun on your face. Let your hair flow in the breeze. Listen to the birds singing. We could all benefit from taking a moment to connect with nature.
25. Go For a Walk
Going for walks around the neighborhood is my favorite way to stay active, even when I don’t particularly feel like being active. Walking is the perfect low-impact way to get your heart rate up at your own pace. It’s also the perfect way to get out of the house and change up your scenery. Perhaps, you could even switch up your walking route from time to time. Or maybe stop at a park along the way, and make the most of a beautiful day. I also challenge you to go for a walk without listening to any music, podcasts, or audiobooks and tune in to the world around you as you stride along.
26. Workout Independently
While I often utilize YouTube to find guided home workouts, sometimes I also like to work out on my own, and just do what feels good. If you’ve been on a fitness journey for any length of time, you likely already have a basis to build your own workout. You also know what feels good for you and what doesn’t. The beauty of working out independently is that you get to go with your own flow. And, you can move at your own pace.
27. Enjoy an Intentional Meal
It is a joy to have a wonderful meal. I also have to say that a great meal often pairs nicely with watching a YouTube video, TV show, or movie that I had been excited to watch. But sometimes, I find that it can be difficult to genuinely savor your food when your mind is focused elsewhere. So, perhaps when you sit down for a meal, allow yourself to disconnect from the digital world, and put the focus on the food that you have in front of you. Focus on savoring the flavors and textures of your favorite meal, rather than trying to multitask while you eat. Let be a peaceful and mindful moment, just for you.
29. Take a Nap!
Feeling a little bit drowsy midday? Let yourself take that nap. You know you’re craving one. Nap in place of one of the many children around the world refusing to take their nap.
Self-Pampering Experiences
We all deserve a self-pampering session. It’s not something we necessarily need to earn. Certainly, doing something extra for ourselves can be a wonderful reward for a productive day and getting everything done. That said, pampering ourselves and showing ourselves some extra love is also extremely necessary when we’re not feeling so great and we’re struggling to get out of bed. We all deserve to allow ourselves to relax and unwind with activities that make us feel good. Whether you’re already glowing from within and you’re looking to shine even brighter, or you’re trying to get your sparkle back.
It goes without saying that self-pampering activities are more productive for our well-being than doomscrolling. Not only do many self-pampering activities tend to make us feel a little bit more elegant and put-together, but they also help us to reconnect with ourselves. Plus, the vibes of a self-pampering session with no outside distractions are absolutely superb. So, my lovely, put your phone down, disconnect from the digital world, and take a moment entirely to yourself.
30. Take a Relaxing Bath
Taking a relaxing bath is basically the epitome of self-care. There are so many options for ways that you can enjoy your relaxing bath, and even make it quite an aesthetic experience. There are so many bath bombs out there that not only make your bathwater look gorgeous but also smell amazing. Or, perhaps, you could enjoy a relaxing milk or tea bath, and optionally through in some flower petals. You also can’t go wrong with a simple bubble bath with some Epsom salts. And don’t forget to light some candles or bring in some fun lighting to elevate the vibes.
31. Enjoy a Mindful Everything Shower
Sometimes, we could all use an extensive deep-cleansing of our bodies (and hair) to help maintain our glow, and simultaneously wash away the stresses of life. Perhaps, once a week, we could use the time that we take to disconnect from the digital world to enjoy an everything shower. Apply a hair mask. Dry brush your body. Toss in a shower steamer. Use an exfoliating body scrub. Massage your head as you apply your shampoo. Take extra time cleansing every inch of your body. Apply your favorite moisturizer afterward. Make your everything shower whatever you’d like; it’s your time.
32. Gua Sha Facial Massage
Personally, I love giving myself gua sha massages to relieve the tension that builds up around my jaw when I’m stressed or anxious. I like to incorporate some facial oils into the massage to enhance the experience, and as an added bonus, I’ve found that a regular gua sha routine also leaves my skin glowing. And chilling your gua sha tools in the refrigerator for a few hours elevates the experience even further. There’s also quite a variety of different crystals you can choose from for your facial rollers and gua sha tools, so you can even benefit from the healing energy of whichever crystal you choose.
33. Have a Home Spa Day
Some days, it’s wonderful to go above and beyond your regular skincare routine. Whether as a part of your everything shower routine, an extra element of your relaxing bath, or something just to treat yourself after a stressful Monday. Applying a sheet mask, under-eye mask, or lip mask and meditating for about 20-30 minutes while it marinates makes for such a tranquil and joyful moment. A hand mask can also be quite a treat for dry hands. And we all know that cucumber slices or cooling pads also feel quite wonderful on the eyes. Pamper yourself in any way that you desire. This is your time to get your glow on.
34. Care For and Paint Your Nails
Having gorgeous nails can elevate your look to a whole new level! We all love looking at nail art, and if you have the patience it can be a lot of fun to get creative with your nails. Or maybe to apply some gorgeous press on nails. You also can’t go wrong with simply polishing your nails in a fun color that you’re vibing with. I do understand that it requires a lot of patience to wait for your nails to dry before doing anything else, so they don’t get dented. Perhaps, the dry time could be your time to mindfully do nothing. But if nothing else, even filing your nails, buffing them, and applying some cuticle oil can make all the difference.
35. Tea Time with Dessert
Pampering yourself isn’t only about taking care of your physical body. It’s also about giving your soul a delightful treat as well. And, most certainly, enjoying a sweet treat is a wonderful way to treat your soul. Especially when paired with a hot cup of tea. I personally love to sip on a gourmet cup of tea paired with macarons when I want to enjoy a solo tea party. Alternatively, if you’re not a tea person, you may also find that coffee pairs well with many sweet treats. Even enjoying a sweet treat on its own can be a delight.
36. Take Yourself On a Solo Date
You don’t have to wait for your partner to take you on a date to go somewhere nice to eat; nor do you need to have a partner. You also don’t have to wait for your best friend to have an opening in her schedule to go to that coffee shop and see that movie you’ve been wanting to see. If there’s somewhere that you’ve been wanting to go, or something that you’ve been wanting to do, you don’t need anyone else to come along to enjoy the experience. So why not take yourself on a solo date, and spend a little quality time with yourself? You may even enjoy the experience even more without grappling with other peoples’ needs.
Social Ventures
I’m going to be honest with you for a second; I’m not particularly a social butterfly. I also struggle a bit socially as a result of my neurodivergence. However, I don’t want to forever isolate myself or put myself into a box. Human interaction outside of social media is important for all of us, including introverts like myself. Certainly, some of us may need solitude to rest between social events. We may also prefer to spend time amongst a smaller group of people that we’re deeply connected with, rather than constantly try to network with new people. But everyone has some level of desire and need for human connection.
So, perhaps when you disconnect from the digital world, you can reconnect with the wonderful people that you have in your life. Or you could even look to build connections with like-minded people who live near you. While you certainly don’t need to become the life of the party, unless you’re striving to be a socialite, it can be wonderful to connect with someone beyond the screen.
37. Lunch or Coffee Dates with Friends
Although it may take some planning and coordination around everyone’s schedules and obligations, sometimes, it’s wonderful to be able to spend quality time with your besties. Whenever you get to opportunity, it can be wonderful to catch up and have a deep conversation with your closest friends at your favorite coffee shop. You could even make a day of it, and shop at your favorite stores together afterward. Sometimes, a girls’ day is exactly what we all need to connect with some of our favorite people and take a break from the stresses of life.
38. Quality Time with Your Partner
Whether you’ve been in a long-term relationship, or your relationship is still relatively new, it is important to spend some quality time with your partner. After all, if you’re in a healthy relationship, your partner is the person that you feel the most comfortable being your truest self with. Whether you choose to go out to have a deep conversation over dinner or have a chat cuddled up on the couch at home is entirely up to you. Have some fun with your favorite person, and enjoy the connection that you have with them.
39. Connect with Your Family or Housemates
Although we do see and speak with our household members daily, we may not necessarily be genuinely connecting with them. In my household, everyone is typically doing something on their digital devices throughout the day, with the TV on in the background. The same is the case for many households in the first world. So, perhaps, even if only once a week, we should encourage everyone in our households to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with each other on a deeper level. And, honestly, just have some fun together. Whether you live with family or friends, it can be great to have real conversations with the people you share your space with.
40. Attend an In-Person Class
If you’re looking to step out of your shell or make new connections, attending an in-person class or seminar that aligns with your interests is a great way to get yourself out there. Plus, it gives you a more hands-on way to learn more about something that you’re interested in. Whether you attend a yoga class, an art class, a cooking class, or whatever else, you’ll already have at least one interest in common with everyone else attending the class with you. And sometimes it’s great to spend time with like-minded people who understand something you’re passionate about.
Conclusion
While technology is absolutely incredible and highly useful, it’s important to intentionally give ourselves a break from it. Our attention spans could greatly benefit from us taking a moment to disconnect from the digital world of constant stimulation, as we focus on more mindful activities. Besides, there are so many wonderful aspects of life beyond our screens. And we all deserve the wonderful things that real life has to offer.
What are some of your favorite activities to do when you choose to disconnect from the digital world? Are digital detoxes a regular part of your monthly, weekly, or daily routines? How long do you typically choose to intentionally keep yourself off of your devices? Let’s all give each other ideas for a wonderful screen-free time!
Awesome list of productive ventures to disconnect from the digital world. Thanks for these ideas!
Thank you, Hari! It’s great to have some ideas on ways we can turn our focus away from the digital world for a bit!