Not long ago, I signed on for the National Day of Unplugging. At first, I’ll admit—I was a little unsure. A full 24 hours with no phone, no laptop, no TV? My type-A, tech-connected brain was already twitching at the thought. But I also knew I needed it.
So I committed. I left my phone in my bedroom. I didn’t turn on the TV. I didn’t scroll, refresh, or reply. And no—I didn’t read by candlelight (though I got plenty of sarcastic suggestions to do just that). The point wasn’t to go off the grid. The point was to reclaim my attention—to see what it felt like to live a day free from distraction.
And let me tell you—it was incredible.
I’ve spent the last few years trying to be more present in my daily life, but giving myself permission to fully unplug for 24 hours took that intention to a deeper level. Here’s what I learned:
1. Mental clarity is a real and beautiful thing.
Without the buzz of notifications or the pull of the screen, my mind felt noticeably clearer. I wasn’t reaching for my phone every few minutes or mentally juggling open tabs in my brain. I remembered details from conversations, noticed little things I usually overlook, and felt focused. Like, truly focused.
2. It actually felt amazing.
I expected withdrawal symptoms. Instead, I felt free. No nagging “just check real quick” instincts. No background noise of emails and texts. Just calm, connected time—with myself, with my family, and with my day. It was like a tech detox with only positive side effects.
3. It deepened the joy in an already good day.
The time I spent with my family felt richer. I wasn’t half-listening or multitasking. I was just there. And what’s wild is how relaxing that actually felt—especially for someone who rarely slows down. That constant hum of distraction we live with? It takes more from us than we realize.
Now, let’s be real—completely unplugging for a full day isn’t always practical. We have careers, families, responsibilities. But what is practical is creating intentional boundaries around our time and attention. A few hours. A morning. An evening. A meal.
Even five uninterrupted, intentional minutes can change the rhythm of your day.
This is what the Be Present Project is all about: carving out space in the middle of a noisy world to be grounded, grateful, and fully alive. Not perfect—just present.
If you ever get the chance to unplug for a full day, take it. But even if all you can manage is a “no phone zone” at dinner or a screen-free walk with someone you love—that’s a powerful start.
Because time doesn’t stop. And presence doesn’t happen by accident.
The time is now. So pause. Unplug. Look around.
Be here for it.
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