Features · Mindspace Unplugged
Mindspace Unplugged
Many of us will clench our fists and bite our
lips with anxiety when imagining a life without
smartphones, the internet, video games
or television. Our iPhones and iPads have
practically become an extra limb and we know
that we rely on them more than we ought to.
As the world becomes increasingly more tech
savvy, we are finding it harder and harder to
put the digitals down. Our minds have become
overloaded and our time wasted as we are so
distracted by our devices.
So, in order to disconnect to reconnect, the
Mindspace Magazine team unplugged and took
part in a digital detox. For 24 hours all electronics,
apps and social media sites were banned. From
smartphones to Netflix to Facebook Messenger, we
had everything covered. So... how did we do?
Ine Førland
Deputy Editor
Out of all the apps I have on my iPhone I use
Facebook Messenger the most. I use it all day, every
day, so to detox from it for 24 hours was not easy.
The worst part was trying to plan an evening with some
friends. I didn’t have any contact and found it very hard to
make arrangements. After some stressful organisation, I finally
managed to meet my friend and from then on it was easier to
keep away. I just put my phone away and didn’t think about it
until I was going home at midnight and could finally answer
all my unread messages.
Honestly, I don’t think I could manage without it and
I say this shamefully; it was almost like losing
my arm when trying to keep away.
Malika Kingston
News Editor
Carly Cochrane
Sub-Editor
As an extremely active tweeter I was given the
challenge to unplug and detox from Twitter. At first I
thought I would be able to breeze through the day and
not give the app two thoughts, but I was proven wrong when
I reached for my phone for my morning
scroll through the timeline.
Throughout the day I found that when I had a spare moment
my finger would linger over the Twitter app icon, and I
would question if just one quick look would do any harm.
Surprisingly, I managed the whole 24hrs and found that
I had actually had a really productive day. I realised I
probably check Twitter far too much when really it
can wait. The timeline moments will always be
there and instead I can appreciate
the present moments.
Snapchat is my social kryptonite, so I
reluctantly deleted the app for 24 hours. It didn’t
take long for me to realise that I have a full blown
addiction. Every thing I did that day, I wanted to record
and share on Snapchat.
I managed to make it through the whole day without
opening the app and by 10pm I was starting to feel
a little bit more refreshed. The only downside is
now I think I’m addicted to Putlocker…
I needed to distract myself somehow!
10 · Mindspace Magazine · Issue 01