The Tranquil Vintessa

Like most people, my phone is practically glued to my hand. I scroll constantly—unless I’m walking my dog, my phone is always within reach. This wasn’t always the case. A few months ago, I barely touched it, often misplacing it around my apartment. But lately, it’s felt like a lifeline. I needed to break that grip.

So, with no major plans for the weekend, I decided to do a digital detox—2.5 days without mindless scrolling, endless notifications, or the constant urge to check my phone. Here’s how it went.

Day 1: The Restlessness Sets In

After work on Friday, I followed my usual relaxation ritual—except this time, there was no phone in sight. Normally, I’d be laughing at reels or swiping on some app, but instead, I just…sat there. My go-to YouTube deep-dive videos didn’t hit the same without the mindless scrolling in the background, so I zoned out, sipping my wine as I watched a documentary about the fall of Jaden Smith.

For the first time in a while, my evening felt long. I always thought my after-work hours disappeared too quickly, but here I was, just 30 minutes in, wondering what to do with myself.

So, I cleaned—not a full deep clean, but a declutter session. I tossed old shoe boxes I swore I’d use, abandoned DIY projects, and wiped down my baseboards. When I finished, I lit some incense and candles, did my yoga routine to soft ambient music, and went to bed early.

Day 2: Slowing Down, Savoring More

I woke up and instinctively reached for my phone—only to remember my detox. The urge to scroll was strong, but when I thought about it, I wasn’t missing much. My friends rarely post, and my feed is mostly news updates and brands trying to sell me something.

Instead, I laid in bed for a few extra minutes, enjoying the stillness. Then I got up, put on some jazz (my latest musical obsession), made my coffee, and fed my pup.

On our morning walk, I let my mind wander, taking a longer route than usual. With no distractions, I noticed little things I usually missed—the way the trees swayed in the breeze, the distant hum of the city waking up.

I decided to treat myself to a visit to my local coffee shop. I hadn’t been in a while, and the idea of people-watching sounded refreshing. Taking my time getting ready felt like an act of self-care—putting care into my hair, skincare, and outfit set the tone for a peaceful day.

On the way there, I listened to the radio, something I rarely do, and enjoyed the casual banter of the morning hosts. The coffee shop was quieter than I expected, so after finishing my drink, I wandered through the shopping center, popping into familiar stores without the need to check my phone. Just being out in the world, present, and unhurried filled me with a surprising sense of energy.

Day 3: Finding Joy in the Small Things

That morning, I remembered a park I’d seen near my home but never visited. It was midday—typically a nightmare for my dog’s anxiety—but I decided to test my luck. We went, and it was nice. No major breakthroughs, no magical moments, just a simple, peaceful walk in a new place.

When I got home, I showered and made a real breakfast—a smoothie bowl with frozen berries and oats, paired with a simple cup of coffee. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d made breakfast just for the sake of enjoying it. No distractions, no rushing. Just me, my meal, and the morning sunlight streaming through my window.

I wished I could have eaten on my patio—it was the perfect day for it. But even sitting at my kitchen table, phone-free, felt like a small luxury.

Reconnecting… and Realizing I Didn’t Miss Much

Finally, my detox ended. I won’t lie—I was excited to check my phone. I thought I’d have so much to catch up on. But when I opened it, I realized… there was nothing new.

The world was still on fire. People were still lip-syncing to a song that would be forgotten in a week. The same recycled news, the same distractions.

And now, I saw it for what it was—a time sink.

Taking a break from my phone didn’t just give me more time—it showed me a different way to exist. A slower, richer, more present way of living. I don’t need to be constantly entertained, constantly stimulated. There is so much time in the day when you’re not glued to a screen.

So, I put my phone down again. And I think I’ll keep doing that.