When your phone buzzes or a notification pops up your screen, do you stop what you’re doing to look and respond?
Do you have multiple devices constantly competing for your attention at all times?
Do you find it hard to sit still for a bit without checking your phone or social media feeds?
Have you been looking for ideas to unplug, without having to depend on sheer willpower followed by pure defeat?
If so, you can take the pledge to participate in this year’s National Day of Unplugging, a 24-hour global respite from technology.
After taking the pledge, you can finally put all your electronic devices in a 16-digits-password-protected safe and throw it across the Atlantic ocean and finally have an uninterrupted board game night with your loved ones.
Take a pledge and download your own toolkit!
The National Day of Unplugging observes a communal digital detox across the globe to fight back against our increasingly fast-paced way of living, characterized by information overload and lack of real and meaningful connections.
The day is meant to encourage us to practice carving out one day per week to unwind, unplug, relax, reflect, get outdoors, and connect with loved ones. It is a day for disconnecting from our digital devices so we can, instead, connect with ourselves, our loved ones and our communities in real-time.
It is a time dedicated to going for a coffee date with your best friend, having an uninterrupted meal by yourself, or indulging in a book on your list.
The day will provide its participants a glimpse of the profound benefits of taking a modern-day Sabbath each week for deep rest and nourishing renewal. The energy, perspective, creativity, sense of well-being, and yes, increased productivity that ensue can be life changing.
The National Day of Unplugging also provides pledgers a toolkit that includes activities and conversation guides to partake in the day, including hosting an unplugging party.
The toolkit also has resources to keep the spirits of practicing unplugging from our devices going, including two of my favourites below.
WATCH: Tristan Harris – How better tech could protect us from distraction
LISTEN: NPR’s Hidden Brain Podcast, You 2.0: Deep Work with Cal Newport
I’m super looking forward to the National Day of Unplugging!
Although I try to implement radical ideas to help me have a positive relationship with my digital world, I don’t think I have ever truly gone 24-hours completely unplugged. Even when I’m away somewhere without internet or phone service, I still keep my phone on me and mindlessly check it.
It is going to be refreshing and insightful to have a full day to disconnect and focus on offline activities.
I unplug to be free, as well. 👍
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