My thoughts on a digital detox

Introduction – My thoughts on a digital detox

In the last two blog posts, I outlined a digital detox and why you might benefit from doing one. I also presented you with the diary I took during my digital detox.

Website Game Quitters in the article The Ultimate Guide to a Digital Detox explains the benefits of a digital detox:

The benefits of digital detox are clear. Researchers have found that the consequences of technology overuse can be disastrous, especially for our mental health. 

A digital detox could help us escape this trap and heal ourselves from the damage that has been done.

Here are some of the benefits that you can experience from a digital detox.

Lower Stress Levels

More Productivity

You’ll Be Healthier

More Confidence

Better Relationships with People Around You

More Awareness

Below I want to give you my thoughts on a digital detox. Finally, I will conclude by stating my views on whether a digital detox is ever helpful.

I feel in control of my digital usage.

As stated in last week’s blog post, I did the challenge mainly as an experiment and not as a means of controlling my digital usage. While I use Facebook, Google, and YouTube almost daily, I find Twitter and Instagram quite dull and only use them sparingly. I do not have a Television or Netflix and watch a small amount of YouTube or iPlayer while eating dinner in the evening, which doesn’t amount to more than an hour max. I only check emails, WhatsApp and Signal messages once daily unless something exciting happens in the groups.

Reading is a big hobby. I read a lot of books, probably well above average. I do cold water swimming three times a week, walk daily and hold down a job. This is on top of seeing friends, eating and completing chores.

Of course, we all have days where we binge on YouTube or message forth and back on WhatsApp for hours, and I am no exception.

I cheated, but work got in the way.

As stated previously, I should have done more prep for my detox experiment, but I didn’t. This meant I was working and doing all the regular activities during my week of detox, such as checking emails and doing online marketing. However, when holding down a job in 2023, it is almost impossible to do away entirely with using digital devices. So, I tried to limit it.

I also watched a YouTube video on Russian history without thinking, mainly out of habit. I felt guilty afterwards and ensured I had other activities while eating dinner.

Facebook occupied my headspace way too much!

While I wasn’t on Facebook, apart from the one minute I posted my blog for work, I spent way more time talking about it. I also managed to make up loads of status updates in my head. Not done the exact math in my head, but social media occupied me more than it usually would.

I use Facebook regularly but never spend more than a few minutes on it. Real Life is just more fun!

Take time out from your everyday Life.

As I stated above, I couldn’t do a full-on digital detox as I was still working and surrounded by my everyday rituals and responsibilities. If you want to do good for your soul and mental and physical health, remove yourself from your everyday Life. Go on holiday where you can properly switch off. I am planning an off-grid retreat later in the year. Still doing your usual activities minus the digital stuff, if done correctly, requires a lot of planning. I didn’t do that.

Conclusion – My thoughts on a digital detox

The Wikipedia article on digital detox gives a paragraph on criticism of digital detoxes:

In the 2010s, technology and social media became an integral aspect of everyday Life, and thus the decision to refrain from using technology or social media has become a conscious lifestyle choice^[29] reflecting the desire for selective and reversible disconnection.^[30] In the digital age, social media plays a vital role in building social capital, maintaining connections,^[31] and managing impressions.^[32] Scholars have argued for the importance of maintaining a certain level of distraction that social media can provide for a balanced state of body and mind ^[33] and some scholars have even argued that social media is necessary and should not be completely cut out.^[27] That being said, many scholars believe that the moderation of social media is essential, primarily due to social media platforms’ goal of encouraging constant use with likes, notifications, and infinite scrolling.^[34] To lessen the effects of these addictive features social media platforms such as Instagram have begun to explore alternative methods, such as making likes on a user’s post invisible to the user, to shift the focus away from constant notifications and likes.^[35]

I agree with the above. However, it is far more sustainable to have a long-term digital strategy of using it in moderation than an all-out detox for a short period. It’s like going on a diet; you eat nothing for two weeks, lose weight, go off it and put it back on. Eating in the same way as the internet is not inherently wrong. If used sensibly, they can add to Life’s enjoyment.

Having said all that, I think any person with a severe issue with digital usage and who feels it gets in the way of other activities like seeing friends or exercising should give it a go.

trabantbettina

Bettina Anna Trabant, Founder of Life Organised, your professional organising and decluttering service in East London. Eco-conscious minimalist and avid tea drinker,