Skip to main content

Questioning a digital detox.

Some of my peers have been chronicling their digital detox experiences and how they felt after a day of intentionally avoiding prolonged screen time. After some reflection, I've come to the conclusion that I could probably, definitely, possibly be able to do a detox, maybe. 

Technology, for better or worse, is ingrained into nearly every part of my day. Hell, I work for a social media platform. And while it might be tough to pull off, I honestly understand the appeal of a detox. My peers spoke about being fully present and immersing themselves in whatever they were doing or whoever they were with. There’s something meaningful in that. My fiancée and I watch TV together, but one of us is usually on their phone, half-absorbed in scrolling. I do it too. We’re not trying to ignore each other or the show. It just happens. And maybe it shouldn't "just happen." So maybe a detox wouldn’t be the worst idea. Even if I don’t unplug completely, being more intentional about my screen time might be generally beneficial. Maybe instead of a full detox, I can take it in stages? I sort of did that when I was quitting smoking. From 8 a day down to 5, then 3, then eventually zero. If I can quit smoking, which is literally one of the most addictive things ever, I'm sure I can work my way towards a full 24-hour digital detox. Eventually. At some point. Probably.

Comments

  1. LydiaJune 23, 2025 at 2:28 PM

    Hi Adam!

    I've also been reading about others experiences with their digital detox. Honestly, I'm kind of scared to do one, which is a crazy statement to make! I can relate to you in feeling like social media is ingrained in your day to day, and how you scroll while watching TV because I do the same, which is probably why I definitely should try a digital detox sometime this week (or maybe next week if I'm not brave enough). Also, congrats on quitting smoking! That's a huge accomplishment and surely if you can do that, you can do this. Good luck!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. GatsbyJuly 9, 2025 at 5:22 PM

    Hi Adam,

    I really enjoyed your honest take on the digital detox idea. Your reflection on being "half-absorbed" in moments really resonated with me. It is something I have caught myself doing, too. I love your idea of taking it in stages instead of going all in at once. Comparing it to quitting smoking made it feel both relatable and doable.

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts with such humor and sincerity!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reddit's r/changemyview and what we can learn from it

In an era where online discourse often falls into echo chambers, r/ChangeMyView (CMV) offers a refreshing, if somewhat abrasive, alternative. This subreddit invites users to post strong opinions and encourages others to challenge them, ideally with respect, tact, and with the goal of growth. The result is a model of civil disagreement that promotes critical thinking and builds knowledge through dialogue. While traditional hive minds tend to promote consensus, CMV is designed for disagreement. It leverages collective intelligence to sharpen and refine ideas through disagreement as opposed to reinforcing shared beliefs. In this model, learning doesn't come from conformity. Instead, it is born from the collaborative process of questioning and rethinking. I believe that higher education can borrow from this structure to improve online and in-person classroom discussions, which sadly often fail to spark meaningful engagement. Rather than asking students to simply share opinions, educato...
2 comments
Read more

My hot take on optional challenges is cooling off

When I design learning experiences in a corporate setting, I'm doing so with certain expectations in mind. The foremost one being that if I build it, I expect participation. This represents a fixed mindset. Every aspect of my lesson needs to be experienced, otherwise the learner won't succeed. Optional content often feels like wasted effort, or at the very least, something that won't yield consistent results. But this course (and the articles I've read along the way) challenge that mindset. Dennen et al. (2024) examined a system of optional embedded microlearning challenges (OEMCs) designed to promote self-directed learning. The findings showed that the learners who opted in reported high levels of enjoyment and perceived value. What stood out to me was that these low-stakes, optional activities encouraged deeper engagement despite not being mandatory. In fact, learners engaged in these optional challenges because they wanted to! The rewards weren't mind-blowing (a...
1 comment
Read more

Group Reflection w/ Corporate Training

I read a study about project-based learning in a Web 2.0 environment and, as usual, I found myself wondering about how I could apply that concept to corporate training. In the study, the researchers compared self-guided, peer-led, and instructor-supported group reflections in student teams. Results showed that teams showed more collaborative skills when their feedback was scaffolded through guided questions and timely feedback. In corporate training, you often create project-based or scenario-based learning opportunities that simulate what scenarios you may encounter on the job. I don't think I've ever seen a lesson that included built-in, structured group reflection. The study makes a strong case for group reflection, and I can imagine the benefits in a corporate training setting. Especially as a means to recap project or scenario-based lessons. Implementation wouldn't be too difficult since shared digital whiteboards (Miro or Padlet) exist. But the key isn’t the tool th...
2 comments
Read more