Switch off!

So many of you have come forward and accepted GulfWeekly’s digital detox challenge. As mental health awareness month comes to an end in May, we are thrilled to share some more experiences of people going offline for 24 hours – no gadgets, no social media – successfully culminating our campaign.

My initial reluctance to sign up to a day without digital was a signal that it was exactly what I needed.

At first, I felt uneasy about not responding to messages or wondering if I was missing something important. Several times during the morning, I turned to my phone, out of habit, rather than necessity. Having the space, the pause, I noticed a shift away from this automated, mindless, compulsivity. I savoured the small moments, like the taste and smell of my crispy peanut butter breakfast toast, which I ate slowly and mindfully.

Giving myself permission to not be available 24/7 has reminded me that it’s OK to give myself space to connect with myself. I’ve rested, got my stuff done. I’ve remembered to breathe.

I plan to make this a regular ritual: one full day a month where I unplug and return to myself. And the world can wait. 

– Beth Noble, 52, Psychotherapist

At first, I kept checking my pockets for a phone that wasn’t there. But the silence grew comforting. I spent the day journaling, playing board games with my family, and finally organising my space — something I had been procrastinating. Without the pressure to check messages or scroll, I noticed I was more patient and relaxed. The detox reminded me that my time is valuable and doesn’t always need to be spent online. It was a much-needed reset and I plan to do it more often.

 - Bhavna Malkani, 31, Accountant

Breakfast, the sand, breeze, and coffee that I can drink without rushing – these are some things that went ‘online’ when I went offline – refraining from social media for a week made me live more! I had a calling to grow in spirit and could see beyond my daily life. Everything came alive when I started to bother less about my phone dying. I was able to find real connections without the Internet and admire real scenes without ‘filters’. It is only when we participate in real life that we will know the true essence of it is beyond our screens.

- Jeah Valerio, 28, Artist

Going phone-free for 24 hours was harder than I expected. The FOMO (‘fear of missing out’) hit me early in the day, but it gradually turned into a sense of peace.

I ended up sketching – a hobby I hadn’t touched in years – and even cooked a new recipe from scratch. Without digital noise, my thoughts felt clearer and my anxiety reduced. It also gave me more time to talk with my sibling, which we rarely do. This detox showed me that small breaks from the digital world can have a big impact on mental clarity and connection.

 – Riash, 35, Sales officer
 

Spending 24 hours without social media or my phone was eye-opening but also a challenge. I felt more focused during patient consultations and truly listened, without distractions.

The day felt calmer and more present, allowing me to have a face-to-face discussions with my colleagues which otherwise has become very rare. I did sleep better that night.

However, I also felt a bit disconnected from the outside world and curious about updates. Overall, the experience reminded me of the importance of being present and how digital detox can enhance my work and well-being.

  – Dr Syed  Raza, 52, Cardiologist