My 'Digital Detox' Weekend (Spoiler Alert! It Lasted 30 Minutes)

Let's face it, I might have a tiny, just slightly noticeable, perfectly manageable (okay, fine, I admit it!) addiction to my phone. My girlfriend, Trine, would probably phrase it more directly: "Emil, put the phone down!" This gentle reminder comes up pretty frequently, especially during weekends when I'm supposed to relax and disconnect.

The funny thing is, it's not social media that's holding me hostage. No endless scrolling through Instagram or watching cat videos for me. Instead, it’s the tech enthusiast in me, the Azure geek inside, that keeps pulling me back. How can I put down my phone when there’s always some cool new Azure update, groundbreaking release, or tech breakthrough happening somewhere?

Last weekend, Trine and I decided to challenge me with a digital detox. Simple enough: put the phone away, enjoy nature, have meaningful conversations, and forget the digital world for 48 hours. Easy, right?

Well, about 30 minutes into my "detox," I felt a familiar itch. A little nagging voice inside my head whispered, "What if Azure has just announced something amazing? What if there’s a new feature that'll revolutionize my entire workflow and I'm here blissfully unaware, missing it completely?"

Unable to resist, I sneaked a quick peek at my phone, just a glance, I promised myself, and predictably ended up down a rabbit hole of tech news, blog posts, and Azure community updates. My detox had officially lasted half an hour.

Did I feel guilty? Maybe a bit. But, truth be told, I also felt incredibly energized. Tech is part of my identity, and being curious is part of staying ahead. However, I'm not oblivious. I've noticed it's significantly easier to put the phone away when I'm actively doing something I enjoy, like sailing or playing with the kids, which naturally helps me disconnect without even realizing it. While I believe I've struck a balance, I also recognize that being connected all the time might not be the healthiest lifestyle choice. So, I've started to experiment with setting realistic goals like small intervals of focused, phone-free time. I've found it helpful to prioritize notifications, allowing only the truly important alerts to break through. Scheduling specific moments throughout the day to check tech news can also reduce the constant urge to check every notification instantly. Moreover, incorporating mindfulness techniques, such as short meditation breaks, has significantly improved my impulse control and overall focus.

Perhaps next weekend, I’ll aim for 45 minutes. Baby steps, right? Meanwhile, if Azure drops something amazing, you know exactly where to find me!

If you’ve ever felt that tug back to your phone during downtime, you’re not alone and you’re not broken. Maybe it’s not about ditching our curiosity, but finding better ways to let it serve us without running the show.