Slashing Screen Time for Mental Health: Carlos Whittaker Shares His Unplugged Journey
Author Carlos Whittaker spent seven weeks without his phone in 2022. He discovered many things about himself and about the world around him that he had been missing which are detailed in his new book.
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In an era dominated by digital devices, author and podcaster Carlos Whittaker embarked on a transformative journey to reclaim his mental health by drastically reducing his screen time. Whittaker, who resides in Nashville with his family, decided to go screen-free for seven weeks in the summer of 2022 after realizing the significant amount of time he spent on his phone daily.
Prompted by a notification that revealed he averaged over seven hours of phone usage per day, Whittaker calculated that he would spend more than a decade of his remaining life on his device if he continued at that rate. This startling realization led him to undertake a seven-week journey across the United States, living without screens and documenting his experiences in his latest book, "Reconnected: How Seven Screen-Free Weeks with Monks and Amish Farmers Helped Me Recover the Lost Art of Being Human".
During his screen-free journey, Whittaker spent time with monks at a monastery, lived with Amish farmers, and reconnected with his family. The initial days were challenging, marked by panic attacks and physical symptoms of withdrawal from his phone¹. However, as the weeks progressed, he discovered a newfound sense of peace and presence, which he describes as life-changing.
Whittaker's journey underscores the profound impact of digital detox on mental health and highlights the importance of being present in the moment. His experiences and insights offer valuable lessons for anyone looking to reduce their screen time and improve their mental well-being.
