Switching off your phone

In an age of constant connectivity and digital dependency, the simple act – trust us, it’s not tough – of turning your phone off can be a profound source of joy. You get to step off the endless stream of notifications, messages and alerts, and after the initial cold turkey, there’s a wonderful 20th-century joy of being an individual who isn’t hardwired and cuffed to the world 24×7.

Turning off your phone is like reclaiming sovereignty over your time and attention. It is a deliberate act of liberation from the digital leash. The joy starts with the mental relief of shedding the weight of constant digital noise, and that you can actually ‘close the door’.

The incessant pinging and buzzing that accompanies an active smartphone can lead to a state of chronic distraction, negatively impacting your productivity and mental well-being.

Then there’s the plus point of re-engaging with genuine human connections. When phones are off, dinner conversations are enriched, friendships are deepened and relationships are strengthened – punchlines in jokes are better appreciated.

In essence, the joy of turning off the phone is rooted in the restoration of personal agency. The pleasure of reacquainting with yourself.