30 Things You Can Do Without Your Phone
Living life like it's the 2000s.
I was born in 2000. I don’t remember seeing a cell phone in the first seven years of my life. Of course, my parents had one, but multiple rounds of Seven Stones against kids of the other block was more fascinating than a small screen with buttons back then. From 2008 to 2010, the only purpose a cell phone fulfilled in my life was the occasional encounter with the game of Snakes. Back then, landlines were your thing for getting in touch with friends.
Life was simpler. Much simpler. The pace was slower. People had time. Memories of the dinner table have no television sounds in the background.
Now, we can connect with anyone anywhere. Yet, replies to texts with friends are exchanged after weeks. Everybody sits together at the dinner table, but nobody knows the little details about each other’s days.
Life is much more complex.
The pace is much more faster.
It’s wild how 25 years can change so much. In his recent post,
talks about people wanting to return to simpler times. Personal experience tells me that it may be difficult to achieve, but re-living parts of it daily may still be possible.All you need to do is keep your phone aside. Sounds easy right? We know that it’s not. But I am here to tell you that it’s possible. Here’s where you can start..
30 Things You Can Do Without Your Phone
Learn something new. Take an online course. Join a music class. There are so many amazing creators and their communities on Substack itself where you can feel inspired -
, , to name a few.Meet a friend in person.
Go out for a walk.
Prioritise fitness. Join pilates, go to the gym or simply work out at home.
Solve puzzles.
Play board games. Go a step beyond and host game nights at your house frequently.
Cook your own meals instead of ordering in. I have been loving
’s cooking shorts on YouTube lately. All his recipes are available on his Substack.Paint by numbers.
Read. There is so much in the world you don’t know about.
Journal. (A personal favourite!)
Sit next to your loved ones and engage in immersive talk.
Try your hand at gardening.
Prioritise a consistent 8-hour sleep routine.
Look back at your memory box.
’s latest post inspired me to open mine. It was healing.Take yourself out on a solo date. It doesn’t have to be expensive.
Follow a self-care routine that allows you to unwind before going to bed.
Bake your friend’s birthday cake instead of buying it ready-made.
Write and send out a letter to a loved one you haven’t seen in a while. Replying to messages once a week and waiting a week more to receive a response does not deepen connections. Do something meaningful instead.
Go to the grocery store yourself. An app may provide you with a 10-minute delivery at your doorstep but it robs you of one of the most comforting things in life: being in the presence of local community.
Spend a couple of hours in a park, just to reconnect with your inner child.
Watch the sunset or sunrise, whichever you prefer.
Fill in office breaks with a quick stretch.
Meditate.
Embrace boredom. Most times, it encourages you to create.
Volunteer. The best time to give back to society is now.
Go ice-skating.
Take that much-needed long bath.
Observe your surroundings. You would be surprised when the chirping of birds make their way to your ears, even in the hustle and bustle of city life.
Go out and watch the theatre. There is so much talent out there in the world that you still need to see outside of OTT and the comfort of your home.
Sit and breathe in silence.
This short inspired me to write today’s newsletter. Spare a few seconds and watch it if you can!
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2000? I was born in 1954, and I until I read your article Mansi, I from my perspective never thought someone born in 2000 would also feel the effects of technology separating us from a real life. Thank you for your list! I turned the ringer off my phone after I first bought it. Push notifications are always set on off. Thank you!
This is a really great list Minaz, filled with so many reminders of things we can do without our phones! I keep the ringer off on my phone and I also only get text reminders. We spend way too much time reliant on our phones.