I took a digital sabbath yesterday!
No screens for an entire day 🖥❌
Here's what I learned:
I didn't plan it. Initially I had just planned to take a day off.
Then by 11am I realized I hadn't looked at a screen yet and decided to keep that up for the whole day.
No phone, no laptop, no tv.
I started the day with a swim, then yoga, and then a one hour meditation.
I usually only meditate 15 minutes, but one hour was fantastic. It removed the stress from the past 2 months' hard work from all my body parts.
I read for 2 hours. I put thoughts I wanted to remember in a memory palace, rather than taking digital notes. I still recall them today, so this is something I want to practice more.
After lunch I took a 4 hour cycle trip. No phone meant cycling down some dead ends, but also some human contact asking people for the way. I also took better notice of my surroundings, the trees, the water, the sun and the birds.
Then I had a 2 hour, audio-only call with my girlfriend. First I didn't know where to look at "on the side". But as I got comfortable I felt our conversation was deeper and more meaningful than it had been for a long time.
Read some more in the evening, had a bath and another meditation.
Did I cheat? 🤥
Yes, once.. I was afraid I was letting people down so I checked my messages at one point. I want to avoid this next time by planning my digital sabbath in advance and telling people I won't be available
Overall it was a great experience. I had so much time and attention.
However I did get anxious at times about letting people down and not doing any "measurable" work.
Reminding myself to be kind to myself made if fade away, so I was able to enjoy and think clearly.