Introducing the Digital Detox

Reshape your relationship with technology and learn to use your phone as a tool.

Editors note: The Digital Detox course evolved from an email course to a new and improved platform. I’ve edited some language in the below post to reflect the new course direction, or you can find more information and join the program at the link below.

I started this community in October after spending some time working on my relationship with technology and discovering that there weren’t a lot of spaces with likeminded people. It’s been a rewarding 2+ months getting to know you and growing this little corner of the Internet.

One thing that I found was that there were a lot of people asking “I know I want to make changes, but how do I do it?”

The problem is there’s no easy solve. You can’t simply download an app and suddenly your habits are rewired. There’s no simple check list you can tackle to eliminate the addiction. I wanted to create a tool that could help people to bridge the gap between their desires and their actions.

And so, I’ve spent the last couple months putting together a new guide that can help you to make real changes with your relationship with your phone.

Introducing the Digital Detox

The Digital Detox is a 35-day course that will help you detox from your unhealthy phone habits, take back control of your devices, and learn to use your phone as a tool. The program consists of 3 sections, listed below:

• Setting the foundation | Prepare to change your phone habits.

• Making changes | Start the real detox - no social media, no gaming, no entertainment, no fluff. Continue the detox and layer in more challenges, then finish the detox strong.

• Creating a new baseline | Set new boundaries for your relationship with your devices.

As a participant, each week, you’ll have between 2-4 lessons guiding you on steps to take to reshape your relationship with technology. The first week will be spent preparing for the detox. Weeks 2-4 are the guts of the detox, and the last week is for easing back in and setting a new baseline.

The overall goal of the detox is to learn to use technology as a tool. The main focus will be reshaping your habits on your phone since that is the most common culprit of unhealthy behaviors. You’ll still be able to use technology that serves you, we are just eliminating the extra stuff.

Do detoxes really work?

I’ve seen the argument made that traditional detoxes don’t work, and I get it. If you’re participating in a detox and treating it like a “break” instead of a complete habit change, then no, the detox will not work.

The goal of the Break Free from the Internet Digital Detox, however, is to reset your baseline and begin using your phone as a tool. The intention is not to take a three week break, then go back to doing things the way you were before.

This detox will not work for you unless you’re ready to make real, lasting change.

This means:

• Going into the detox with a growth mindset.

• Preparing to commit yourself to the detox.

• Dedicating the time and energy to participating in the entirety of the course.

• Planning to change your habits for the long-run.

I wrote recently about my mindset shift — viewing my phone as a tool. The first step is to adopt this mindset. This detox takes that mindset and turns it into action.

If you have specific questions, you can find more information about the detox here.

I can’t wait to take the next step of this journey with you.