Over the past two days, I found myself in an unplanned iPhone detox, unable to use my mobile phone as I waited for a new SIM card to arrive.
While the initial reaction was one of mild panic as I wondered how on earth I would manage without my phone for two days. I would not be able to phone anyone, WhatsApp anyone and I’d have no option to check my emails at work, or play Watermelon Drop at lunchtime.
It would be like the olden days, as my daughter calls them – life before smartphones, when no one had internet at home so we hung out at the local internet cafe, which is now a games cafe, ironically.
Worst-case scenarios
If there was a major incident or national disaster in the middle of the day, and we were all being advised by the Government to return home or to a place of safety immediately, I would not know.
Or I could miss a really important email that needed to be responded to immediately. A family member could fall ill and there would be no way of contacting me.
Lost with no compass or map
Or I could take the wrong bus home and find myself completely lost and without Google Maps to help me successfully find my way home.
If that followed the Government’s advice following a major incident I’d be in real trouble. No one would be able to find me because the entire country would be lockdown.
The last of the light would disappear, and as darkness fell, the fog would roll in. Alone, in the eerie silence, a wild animal would brush past my leg, and my life would start to resemble the plot of a Stephen King novel.
As is obvious, various scenarios ran through my head at the sudden loss of the one thing that spends more time with me than my own child – my newly upgraded iPhone.
Where I’d messed up
Except … the issue with the SIM card was my own fault. I’d managed to delete something important on my phone after switching to the upgraded model. I still have no idea what it was, but knowing it was my own fault allowed me to accept the situation a lot more.
Quite simply, I’d messed up.
The reality of a two-day iPhone detox
However, being disconnected turned out not to be such a bad thing. There was no major incident or national emergency, no one needed to contact me as a matter of urgency, and I didn’t find myself lost in a remote area unable to get myself home.
And when I did return home and log into my computer, I’d missed a total of five emails, all of which were trying to sell me something, and another asking me to rate how smoothly my mobile phone upgrade had gone.
When you hear about the benefits of taking a short break from your phone, they seem obvious, but we rarely do it despite that. But when forced to, there’s an opportunity to assess how true they are in reality.
So here is how the advantages of putting down your mobile phone panned out as I left home phone-less, and only had access to it after a long 48-hour wait having prayed to the goods of Apple that my SIM card would arrive quickly.
Rediscovering Presence and Mindfulness
One of the most immediate benefits of being without a mobile phone, we’re frequently told, is the sense of presence. Without the constant pull of notifications, emails, and social media, we are likely to find ourselves more attuned to our surroundings.
It is fair to say that, yes, I noticed details that I had previously overlooked – our local cathedral was barely visible in the distance due to fog, and one of the cottages I walk past on my daily commute has fairy lights around the front door.
I discovered that cars get stuck in Waitrose overnight if the owners don’t return before the car park gate gets locked, the office with the bold sign outside saying pets and children are not allowed in is the probation office. And the bus drivers regularly smoke in front of the bus station’s No Smoking sign.
This presence extended to interactions with others as well, particularly my daughter who has, on several occasions, told me to stop looking at my phone although she is guilty of doing the same thing.
Without it there, there was no temptation and no anxiety that I was missed an important news update or any of the TikTok drama that occurs on a daily basis. Instead, it was replaced with a feeling of calm.
Improved Focus and Productivity
With my phone out of reach, I did find that my focus improved. I wasn’t taking breaks to check it, which I had started to do automatically without thinking.
I found I was able to complete tasks faster, and I could think better because I did not have one eye on the phone and another on the computer screen.
I also came up with some more ideas for this site, as my brain seemed to have more capacity to think and come up with creative ideas.
Reduced Stress and Anxiety
While being constantly connected can make us feel more in control, it can also be a significant source of stress. The influx of news, notifications, and the pressure to stay updated can create a sense of urgency and anxiety. The absence of my phone provided a break from this constant mental load.
Not being exposed to the latest distressing news or updates, I remained in my calm state. It also meant I could choose when I wanted to hear the latest world news, and it was not interrupting my day at times when I was busy, or not in the right headspace to receive it.
This was a clear reminder that stepping back from the digital world, even briefly, can be a way of protecting our mental well-being.
Reconnecting with Hobbies and Passions
This didn’t really apply to me so much as I was only without my phone for two days, but I can see how it would be relevant to many people who are left with more time on their hands.
I probably did read a little more and the house is now a little tidier as I needed to fill the time usually spent scrolling through TikTok.
Others might find time for journaling, taking a walk outside, relaxing in a coffee shop, contemplating life, watching the sunset, or even arranging to meet up with friends, although that usually involves a lot of WhatsApp exchanges.
It would definitely feel refreshing to rediscover simpler pleasures that don’t involve screens.
A New Perspective on Digital Consumption
This enforced break from my mobile phone also gave me a new perspective on how much time I normally spend online. I realised just how often I reached for my phone out of habit, even when there was no pressing need.
This awareness has made me more mindful of my digital consumption, encouraging me to be more intentional with my screen time now that I’m reconnected. A recent Apple notification told me I was spending 5 hours online each day, but I’m sure that’s an over-estimation …
I might plan to incorporate mini-digital detoxes into my routine, like turning off my phone for a few hours each evening or spending one day a week unplugged, and enjoying some quiet time.
The unexpected problems
The problems I had without my phone were ones I had not anticipated. I could not use Apple Pay and had to resort to old fashioned bank cards whose pin numbers I had long forgotten.
I could not check my bank balance to check if I could actually afford to treat myself to an M&S lunch while at work.
I couldn’t check the weather forecast, share my location with my daughter, add books to my Amazon wish list, or check the NHS app for the date of my Covid jab.
A Welcome Reset
It all goes to show how much we need our phones. However, this experience has reminded me of the benefits of slowing down, being present, and giving my mind a break from the constant stream of digital input. It was a welcome reset.
And, when it comes to missing TikTok drama, my life was better for it.
