You wake up and check your phone. You scroll during breakfast. You reply to emails between meetings. You swipe through social media during dinner (we see you 👀). Sound familiar? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. We live in a hyper-connected world, where being “plugged in” has become the norm. But here’s a question worth asking: when was the last time you unplugged and fully noticed what’s happening right around you?
A digital detox isn’t about hating technology (we love a good cat video too). It’s about being intentional—taking time to pause, reset, and reconnect with the things that really matter: your peace of mind, your community, and the world that exists beyond the screen.
So, let’s walk through a few refreshing ways to reclaim your time, rediscover your surroundings, and appreciate the everyday gems that are hiding in plain sight.
Start Small: A Gentle Break from the Buzz
No need to throw your phone into the ocean or go live in a cabin in the woods (unless that’s your thing—respect). A digital detox can start with simple shifts. Try this: set aside 30 minutes a day with no screens. That’s it. Just 30 screen-free minutes to be—to think, to breathe, to take a walk or sip tea without checking a single notification.
The magic? Those 30 minutes can stretch into an hour, a full morning, or even an entire weekend unplugged. You’ll start to feel calmer, clearer, and—dare we say it—more human. Your brain will thank you. Your relationships will thank you. And your neck from all that screen-hunching? It’ll be thrilled.
Reclaim Your Time—and Your Energy
The average person spends nearly 7 hours a day looking at screens. That’s almost 100 full days a year! Imagine what you could do with even half of that time back. Learn a new skill, write that book idea, or (let’s be real) finally organize that closet.
More importantly, when you reclaim your time, you also reclaim your energy. Constant scrolling is exhausting. It’s like your mind is always in a sprint, never fully stopping. A digital detox gives you the space to breathe, reflect, and prioritize what truly fills yo
Rediscover the Power of Local Community
Here’s where the fun really begins—once you put the phone down, you start to look up. And what you’ll see might surprise you: your neighborhood, your community, your people. That art mural you never noticed? The local coffee shop with the owner who knows your name? The community garden quietly thriving two blocks over? Yep. All there.
Take a walk, attend a local event, visit your library, support a small business. These are the assets that give your community its heartbeat. And the more you engage, the more rooted and inspired you’ll feel.
When you unplug digitally, you plug into something even more powerful—belonging. That’s the kind of connection you won’t find in a Wi-Fi signal.
Create a “Presence Practice”
You’ve heard of mindfulness, right? Let’s take it from theory to practice. The next time you find yourself reaching for your phone out of habit, try asking: What else could I notice right now?
Presence isn’t complicated—it’s noticing the sunlight on your face, the laughter of a nearby conversation, or even the rhythm of your own breath. It’s giving yourself permission to be still, to listen, and to experience the moment fully.
You can even designate certain zones in your home as “tech-free.” The dinner table, your bedroom, or your front porch can become sacred spaces for connection, conversation, and calm.
Make It a Brilliant Culture Movement
Digital detoxing isn’t just for individuals—it’s for families, teams, and communities. Host a screen-free family game night, start a neighborhood “walk and talk” group, or challenge your coworkers to a “no tech Tuesday” lunch. When you lead by example, you invite others into the joy of presence.
Even our Brilliant List changemakers—from Notable Newcomers to Trailblazers—need space to think, dream, and recharge. So do you.
You Don’t Have to Abandon Tech—Just Use It Better
Let’s be clear: technology isn’t the villain. It’s a powerful tool that helps us connect, create, and grow. But it should serve you, not the other way around. A digital detox simply brings you back to balance, helping you remember that life happens here, now, in real time.
So, close the app. Step outside. Say hi to your neighbor. Dance in your kitchen. Notice the ordinary—and you’ll begin to see just how extraordinary everyday life really is.
And in doing so, you’ll light a new kind of connection—one rooted not in Wi-Fi, but in wisdom, wonder, and wholehearted living. Now that’s Brilliant
