Imagine this: No mobile phone, no laptop, no smartwatch, no tablet, no AirPods—nothing. Just me, out in the world as it is.
I started the day by writing a joke, and for the first time in a long time, I simply laughed at it without feeling the need to share it with anyone.
Getting ready, I noticed something strange—I didn’t take a single picture. No “Outfit of the Day” post, no emojis, no hashtags. Just me, dressed for the day, with no digital proof.
I decided to take my bicycle out for a ride. Normally, I’d track every mile and calorie burned on Strava.
But today? Nothing. Just the sound of the tires on the pavement, the wind in my face, and the freedom of the ride. I also took a moment to really soak in the world around me. The colors of the sky, the shapes of the clouds, the rustling of leaves—it all seemed so much more vivid without a screen between me and reality.
Later, I felt the urge to write, so I grabbed a pen and paper. I jotted down my thoughts, knowing they wouldn’t end up on X (formerly Twitter). The ink on the page felt like enough.
When lunchtime rolled around, I decided to cook. Usually, I’d pull up a recipe on my phone, but today I relied on memory and intuition. The result? A meal that tasted like creativity and spontaneity. With no distractions from scrolling or watching videos, I sat down for the meal and really savored every bite. I noticed flavors and textures I often overlook when I’m multitasking with a device in hand.
In the afternoon, I decided to drop by a friend's house. I did something I hadn’t done in ages—I rang the doorbell. No texts, no calls, just the simple sound of a bell echoing down the hallway.
When evening came, I went for a walk—no AirPods, no podcasts, no music. Just the sounds of the neighborhood, the rustling leaves, and my thoughts for company. My pockets felt strangely light, almost empty, without the usual bulk of gadgets. It was interesting to live a day without constantly checking the time on my smartwatch. I gauged time by the sun's position in the sky, how my body felt, and the natural rhythm of the day.
As I got ready for bed, I didn’t scroll through my phone or watch a show to unwind. Instead, I took a few minutes to reflect on the day—what I experienced, what I learned, and how I felt without my gadgets. The silence and solitude brought a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in a long time.
Now, the real question is: Can I survive like this? Was it tough? Absolutely. But it also made me wonder if I should start having gadget-free Sundays, like some people have weekly fasts. A day to disconnect, to reconnect with the world in a different way.
Would you try it?
