I Gave Up My Smartphone for a Week – Here’s What Actually Happened

Okay, I’ll admit it—I’m addicted to my phone. Scrolling before bed, checking notifications obsessively, losing hours to stupid reels. So last Monday, I decided to go cold turkey. No smartphone for 7 days. Just an old Nokia brick phone for emergencies.

It was harder than I thought.

The Rules:
Phone stayed locked in a drawer (only my Nokia 3310 for calls/texts).

No social media, no Google searches—if I needed info, I had to ask a real person or (gasp) read a book.

Carried a notebook everywhere like some 90s detective.

What Happened?
Day 1: Felt weirdly free. Also kept patting my pocket like a phantom limb.
Day 3: Full-on withdrawal. Almost caved when I needed directions (ended up asking a stranger—they were nice!).
Day 5: Started noticing stuff—like how loud cafes are when you’re not zoning out with AirPods.
Day 7: My brain felt… quieter. Wrote 3x more. Slept like a rock.

The Ugly Truth:
I missed my camera. Nokia pics look like Bigfoot sightings.

"I’ll just check real quick" is a lie. Once you unlock, you’re doomed.

People get annoyed when you don’t reply instantly. Sorry, Karen—I’m living like it’s 2002.

Would I Do It Again?
Honestly? Yes, but shorter. A full week was overkill. Next time: 48-hour weekend detox.

Your Turn:

Could you survive without your phone?

Worst withdrawal symptom? (Mine: reaching for Instagram while pooping. Old habits die hard.)

↑ Upvote if you’d try this!
Follow for Pt 2: "I Quit Netflix for a Month (Spoiler: I Read Books Like a Grandpa)."