3 offline practices to replace your screen time with this summer
Reflections from a week spent in Vietnam.
So far in 2025, I am trying to replace my screen time with things to do in the real world. Things that do not trigger the need to rush through my days. Things that bring me joy. I must admit that I have given in to my desire for doomscrolling occasionally, mostly because it is easy to distance yourself from the chaos when you allow your brain to numb itself by staring into a device for long. My recent trip to Vietnam made me fall in love with being present all over again. Stepping back into reality after eight days of pure calm wasn’t easy. But I realised you don’t need to wait for a vacation to slow down and be present. You can embrace calm right here in the middle of chaos.
Here are things I did on vacation last week (which can be done even without going on one) instead of scrolling on my phone.
Embraced the beauty of nature
In the last few days of my trip, I was around serene mountains and beaches. The beauty of nature never fails to amaze me. The beach reminds us of how small we are compared to the vastness of the world. Mountains remind us that depths exist within us and are waiting to be explored.
But most of us live in the hustle and bustle of big cities, right where chaos originates. Even in the middle of this chaos, I have noticed that the beauty of nature exists. Beyond traffic sounds, the birds still chirp. The trees and parks we often ignore while rushing through life still serve as a source of calm. Peace is not a reward to be attained at the end of your journey. Peace is a practice.
Colour walking
As I explored little corners of Vietnam on foot, I shifted my focus to a single colour, noticing its presence and variation in my surroundings. Colour walking has helped me soothe my anxiety several times before this vacation. It brings your attention back to the present moment, something we truly need in this fast-paced world.
Meals without looking at phone
This was an eye-opener for me. I had a habit of putting my phone face down during meals a while ago. Over the last few years, I had forgotten what an uninterrupted mealtime looked like. The food tastes better. Conversations feel more wholesome. Your mind feels free.
In this season of life, I desire to bring that intentionality of putting my phone face down and blocking all the notifications of the virtual world back into my life. I encourage you to invite peace into your life by doing the same.
What daily practices in your life replace your screen time?
THIS WEEK’s RECOMMENDATIONS
You are not your job. And soon, you won't have one. by
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I loved it, and those pictures are beautiful!
Great pictures! I hope you truly enjoyed the trip, it looks like such a peaceful experience. Your essay beautifully captured the idea of finding calm amid chaos, and it really resonated with me. As a fourth offline practice, I’d add reading a physical book in nature, it’s such a grounding way to disconnect and be present. Thanks for recommending my essay,😊.