Digital Detox

Why Going Offline Is the New Luxury

How many of you woke up today and the first thing you did was check your phone? Or before bed last night how many scrolled through a few Reels and TikToks? Then in the morning you went to Hanze, took your usual digital notes while watching your lecturer’s presentation on the screen? Then during the break check your socials again, watch some YouTube or show while eating and before you know it, you spend your whole day on the screen.  Maybe being offline is really the new luxury - a day spent without checking LinkedIn or seeing who texted you.  So, I would suggest making our days more luxurious. How? With special detox treatment specially crafted for boosting your mood offline.  Here are some ideas to make your days feel more like YOU (without trending music in the background).  

Screen-free mornings

Resisting with the temptation of checking your phone first is tough. I don’t even remember what I’ve done in the morning before having a phone...HOWEVER, recently I started wake up by making a coffee first, then thinking about my day, listing important events, making breakfast and then checking what’s happening with the world. Let your mind wake up without a notification. Excite yourself about the new day and think about what you want to achieve and do better than yesterday.  

Explore your city so you can fall in love again and again 

One of my favourite activities is to take a random street and see where it leads. It’s crazy how many hidden spots, cafes, stores you can find in Groningen by simply walking without a final destination. Every time I do this, I end up discovering more of the city and realise boredom is something we unconsciously choose because there’s so much to do out there. Sometimes it’s just about trusting your inner Google maps and not the digital one.  

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Go somewhere new and do something you already love 

Take your friends (or alone because why not) and visit a new place. Go somewhere you’ve never been before and do something familiar there. Actually, changing your setting makes your old interests feel new. For example, I like drawing and once a friend and I took a bus and went to a random peaceful alleyway surrounded by trees. We brought some paints, snacks and spent the afternoon there drawing and talking. So even simple things like grocery shopping at the market instead of in the store, changing the gym location, exploring new cafe can spark that first time excitement. And suddenly the Reels are not boosting your dopamine, but your choices do. 

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Redecorate your space (or mind) 

Ohh well, when I feel stuck, I always change something in my room. Move my desk, add more photos, lights, or plants. Simple changes boost your mood and stimulate thinking outside of the box. You start seeing your everyday space differently, feeling proud of your creativity and spending more time with what’s around you.  

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Make boring activities fun 

Cooking - the favourite activity of every student who has just spent 8 hours on lectures and project work. Yesss!  Well, okay, maybe not always a favourite but why make it boring? What about you changing your perspective and doing it with friends? (that’s your sign to do it btw) If you’ve got space, or a friend who does, host a small dinner. You can also give a theme, especially in an intercultural city like Groningen. Everyone can bring a small dish from their country and just like that your phone is forgotten, your stomach is full and your mind is recharged and inspired by positive energy. 

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To sum up, you don’t need to live your life inspired by digital influence all the time. It’s happening inside of your dreams, and you are the one navigating the plot. You are the main character of your movie every single day. Real joy, real connection is actually the luxury I’m talking about.  

In a world that moves fast, slowing down and seeing life through your own eyes might just be the ultimate luxury. 

Sla over