 I haven’t posted on social media in a while. And for a long time, I felt guilty about it. In today’s digital world, as someone who makes art for a living, aren’t I supposed to be everywhere? Posting daily? Building an audience? Staying relevant?
But here’s what I’ve slowly come to understand: the constant noise was making me forget why I started creating in the first place.
I’m an introvert. A highly sensitive person. And somewhere along the way, the endless scroll started to feel less like connection and more like drowning. I’d pick up my phone to post something meaningful and lose an hour comparing myself to everyone else’s highlight reel. I’d go to bed with my mind buzzing from other people’s opinions and news I couldn’t do anything about.
Maybe you know this feeling.
If you do, if the digital world has started to feel like too much, I want to share some things that have helped me find my way back to quiet. These aren’t rules. They’re just gentle invitations. Take what resonates and leave what doesn’t.
1. Give Yourself the Gift of a Slow Morning
I used to reach for my phone before my feet even hit the floor. Now I try to protect the first part of my day like it’s something precious, because it is.
Before the world gets loud, I make tea. Then I light a gentle beeswax candle and let its soft glow fill the room. I sit with my thoughts. Sometimes I sketch. Sometimes I just look out the window and watch the light change.
Those quiet minutes have become the foundation for everything else.
2. Create a Digital World-Free Corner in Your Home
I have a reading chair by the window where my phone isn’t welcome. It’s nothing fancy — just a cozy spot with a blanket and usually a cat nearby. But when I sit there, something in me settles.
You might already have a spot like this. Or maybe you could create one. Somewhere your mind knows it can rest.
3. Remember That Creating Is Medicine
This one saved me, honestly. When I’m lost in making something — painting, sketching, even just doodling in the margins — I’m not scrolling. I’m not comparing. I’m just here, in my hands, in the colors, in the quiet satisfaction of bringing something into being.
Creativity pulled me out of some of my hardest times. It still does.
If you’ve gotten away from making things, maybe this is your invitation to come back. It doesn’t have to be good. It just has to be yours.
4. Take Walks Without Your Phone (Or With It Tucked Away)
I know, I know. What if something happens? What if you need it?
But there’s something that shifts when you walk without the option to check, capture, or scroll. You start noticing things — the way the leaves move, the sounds you’d normally miss, the feeling of your own feet on the ground.
I call these wonder walks. They’re not about exercise. They’re about remembering that the world is still beautiful and you’re still part of it.
5. Step Away from the Digital World Sometimes
This one was hard for me. I used to feel like I had to respond to every message immediately, like people would think I didn’t care if I waited.
But I’ve learned that I can’t pour from an empty cup. And constantly being available was draining me dry.
It’s okay to turn off notifications. It’s okay to respond when you’re ready instead of the moment something arrives. Your peace matters. It really does.
6. Practice the Almost-Forgotten Art of Doing Nothing
When was the last time you just… sat? Not scrolling, not watching, not listening to anything. Just existing.
I’d be lying if I said this comes naturally to me. My hands want to reach for my phone. My mind looks for something to consume. But when I can settle into stillness — even for five minutes — something in me exhales.
We’ve forgotten that we’re allowed to just be. That not every moment needs to be filled.
7. Notice What Drains You and Give Yourself Permission to Step Back
Some accounts make me feel inspired. Others leave me feeling hollow and not-enough.
I’ve started paying attention to how I feel after I scroll. And I’ve given myself permission to unfollow, mute, or take breaks from anything that pulls me down — even if it’s popular, even if everyone else seems fine with it.
You get to protect your peace. That’s not selfish. That’s necessary.
8. Find a Rhythm That’s Sustainable, Not Perfect
I’m not going to tell you to delete all your apps or go on some dramatic digital detox. That’s never worked for me. I just end up back where I started, feeling like I failed.
What works better is finding a gentle rhythm. Maybe it’s phone-free Sunday mornings. Maybe it’s no screens after 8pm. Maybe it’s just pausing before you pick up your phone and asking yourself: what do I actually need right now?
Small, sustainable changes. That’s where the magic is.
9. Be Gentle With Yourself When You Slip
You’re going to pick up your phone out of habit. You’re going to lose an hour scrolling when you meant to do something else. It happens. It happens to all of us.
When it does, please don’t beat yourself up. Just notice it, set the phone back down, and try again. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about slowly, gently reclaiming your attention and your peace.
You’re doing better than you think you are.
10. Remember Why Quiet Matters in Our Digital World
Here’s what I’ve found on the other side of all that noise: myself.
When I step back from the constant input, I can hear my own thoughts again. I can feel what I actually feel, not what I’m being told to feel. I have space to create, to dream, to just breathe.
The digital world will always be there. But this moment — this quiet, ordinary, precious moment — won’t come again.
If any of this resonated with you, I’m glad. And if you’re struggling to find peace right now, please know: you’re not alone in this. So many of us are learning how to live with technology without letting it consume us. It’s okay to go slowly. You’re allowed to need breaks. And it’s okay to protect the quiet parts of yourself.
P.S. — If you’d like more gentle encouragement, I have free printables right here on my website for you. You can find them here https://apeaceofwerk.com/free-printables/
Some of My Favorite Things to Help Me Detox
If you’re looking for a few gentle ways to make your digital detox feel a little more special, these are some things I genuinely love and reach for when I’m unplugging:
Beeswax Wood Wick Candle — There’s something about the soft crackle of a wood wick and the warm glow of beeswax that instantly tells my brain: it’s time to slow down. I light this when I’m reading, journaling, or just sitting in the quiet.
How to Break Up with Your Phone — If you’ve ever felt like your phone has more control over you than you’d like to admit, this book is a gentle, practical 30-day plan to change that. No guilt trips — just real strategies that actually work.
Wreck This Journal: Now in Color — This is the opposite of scrolling. It’s messy, creative, and surprisingly freeing. You paint in it, tear pages out, and let go of perfection. It’s the kind of thing that reminds you how good it feels to make something with your hands.
Compendium Softcover Journal — “We can begin by doing small things.” I love that message. This is a beautiful, simple journal for writing down thoughts, gratitude, or whatever needs to come out of your head and onto paper.
Cozy Picks for Screen-Free Comfort
Chunky Knit Weighted Blanket — Handmade and cozy in the best way. I wrap up in this when I’m reading or resting and it feels like a hug. The weight is calming and it makes “doing nothing” feel luxurious.
Mindsight Timed Lock Box — Okay, this one might sound extreme, but hear me out. You put your phone in, set the timer, and it locks. No willpower needed. The wood grain finish actually looks nice on a shelf, and it works. Sometimes we need a little help stepping away.
Embroidery Kit for Beginners — If you’ve ever wanted to try something creative and screen-free, this is such a lovely place to start. It comes with everything you need and there’s something deeply calming about the repetitive motion of stitching.
These are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them — at no extra cost to you. I only share things I genuinely love, and your support helps me keep creating content for this community. Thank you for your support.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is digital rest?
Digital rest is simply giving yourself permission to step away from screens, notifications, and online noise. It’s not about hating technology — it’s about creating space for quiet in a world that rarely stops. Think of it as rest for your mind and spirit, the same way sleep is rest for your body.
How do I start a digital detox when I feel addicted to my phone?
Start smaller than you think you need to. Leave your phone in another room for just 30 minutes while you do something that nourishes you — make tea, read a few pages, sit outside, create something with your hands. Don’t aim for perfection. Just practice being unreachable in small doses, and let it grow from there.
Can taking breaks from social media really help with anxiety?
In my experience, yes. The constant comparison, the news cycle, the feeling that everyone else has it figured out — it all adds up. When I step back, my nervous system has room to settle. I can hear my own thoughts instead of everyone else’s. Many people find the same thing. Your experience matters more than any study.
What if I need my phone for work?
Most of us do. Digital rest isn’t about throwing your phone away — it’s about creating boundaries. Maybe it’s protecting your mornings, or your evenings, or one day on the weekend. Maybe it’s turning off notifications for apps that don’t truly need your immediate attention. Find the edges where you can carve out quiet, even if the middle of your day is busy.
How do I stop feeling guilty about not being on social media?
I wish I had a perfect answer for this one, because I’ve struggled with it too. What helps me is remembering why I create in the first place — not for likes or algorithms, but because making things brings me alive. Your worth isn’t measured by your online presence. The people who love your work will still be there when you come back. And stepping away from the digital world might be exactly what you need to create something meaningful.
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