Disconnect to Reconnect with Reality

Waking up in a digital world

There was a time when mornings started with sunlight peeking through the curtains and a slow stretch to greet the day. Now? It’s a reflex. The buzz, the swipe, the instant flood of screens. Our phones are the first thing we touch and the last thing we let go of. Is this constant digital connection making us miss out on real-life moments?

📊Swiss insights: “Are smartphones stealing our joy?”

In Switzerland, renowned for its high quality of life, nearly half the population shows clear signs of smartphone dependency. A Comparis survey revealed how significantly attached we’ve become to our screens and it makes me wonder if this attachment is genuinely bringing happiness or quietly robbing us of precious moments (Swissinfo.ch, 2021).

Interestingly, research shows that stepping away from our devices, even briefly, can boost our well-being. A systematic review indicates that digital detoxes (intentional breaks from smartphones) can lead to improved mental health and stronger social bonds (Syvertsen & Enli, 2021). Perhaps happiness isn’t found in constant digital connectivity but rather in choosing when and how we engage with our digital worlds.

Reality Check – Our screen time reality

⏰06:30 The alarm goes off and the first thing we do every single morning is reach for the phone.

🚌07:15 Waiting at the bus stop, phone in hand, scrolling through feeds instead of enjoying the fresh air or the cheerful song of birds.

🚆07:30 On the train, noticing almost everyone, nearly 90% of passengers with eyes glued to their screens, disconnected from reality.

🍽️12:00 At lunchtime, phones decorating the table, stealing attention from conversations and the delicious meal we’ve waited all day to savor.

☕15:00 Coffee break? Instead of a pause, it’s another scroll – emails, social media, anything but rest.

🛏️22:00 Before going to bed, one last scroll, just to check… and suddenly it’s midnight again.

The beauty of being unplugged

But imagine this: waking up to a classic alarm clock and starting the day screen-free, breathing in the quiet morning. At the bus stop, appreciating the world waking up around you, the breeze, the laughter, the birds. On the train, gazing out the window, letting your mind wander, reconnecting with your thoughts. At lunch, fully immersed in conversations with friends, tasting every bite, genuinely present in each interaction. There’s incredible joy in these simple, unplugged moments – moments we often overlook but are essential to our happiness.

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Don’t let real moments pass you by while you’re staring at a screen.

👇🏼Check out my video below👇🏼

Life gives us so much more than the digital glow of our phones. While smartphones connect us globally, they sometimes disconnect us from reality. The secret to happiness might lie not in the constant scrolling but in reclaiming our presence, balancing digital interactions with genuine, tangible experiences. Could unplugging be your next step toward chasing a truly joyful life?

🔈Previously on the blog: Catch Up Here!

1. Lessons on Finding True Happiness
2. The Price Tag on Happiness
3. The Myth of Happier Times
4. Why Your Relationships Might Be the Real Key to Joy