What I Discovered When I Unplugged in a Hyperconnected World
In a city where everything runs on data, going offline felt almost impossible. The UAE is built on innovation — from driverless taxis to AI-powered coffee shops, it’s a place where technology doesn’t just assist life; it is life. Yet one Friday morning, I caught myself refreshing my phone before I’d even opened the blinds. My thumb moved on instinct, like muscle memory, and I realized I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been bored — or still. That’s when I decided: I needed a break from the scroll.
The Irony of Unplugging in a Smart City
Trying to disconnect in the UAE is a little like trying to diet in a dessert café. The moment I turned off notifications, life got complicated. I couldn’t book a ride without an app. I couldn’t pay for coffee without my phone. Even restaurant menus were QR codes staring at me like digital reminders that escape was not an option.
Still, I wanted to try. So I made small rules: no screens in the morning, no social media before bed, and at least one hour a day completely offline. I wasn’t going to delete my apps — I just wanted to reclaim my attention.
The First Few Days Felt Strange
Silence is uncomfortable when you’ve lived in constant noise. I kept reaching for my phone like a phantom limb, half-expecting it to buzz. My brain craved the dopamine rush of a new notification. But then, something unexpected happened.
On the third day, I sat at a café in Abu Dhabi’s Corniche with a notebook instead of a phone. I noticed things I’d never paid attention to — the way the sea shimmered differently every minute, how people’s laughter sounded unfiltered when not drowned out by TikTok videos or message pings.
That moment hit me hard: I’d been living through screens instead of scenes.
Rediscovering the Real World
Once I stopped checking my phone every few minutes, my days slowed down — in the best way. I began taking walks through the older parts of Sharjah, where time seems to move at its own rhythm. I sat in parks, watched families share meals, and realized how disconnected we can feel even when surrounded by people.
Without digital noise, my thoughts felt clearer. I found myself journaling, cooking without following YouTube recipes, and enjoying sunsets without the urge to post them. For the first time in years, I was living moments for myself, not for an audience.
The Lessons Technology Couldn’t Teach Me
My detox wasn’t perfect. I slipped up sometimes, checking messages “just for a minute” that turned into twenty. But gradually, I learned to see my phone for what it is — a tool, not a lifeline.
The biggest lesson? Presence feels different when you’re truly there.
I realized that constant connection doesn’t always mean closeness. Sometimes it’s the quiet spaces between notifications that let us breathe, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most — ourselves.
Technology is incredible, yes. It connects families across continents and keeps cities running efficiently. But it can also blur the line between living and scrolling through life.
Finding Balance, Not Rebellion
When my detox ended, I didn’t swear off technology. I just started using it more consciously. I turned off non-essential alerts, replaced endless scrolling with intentional reading, and learned to embrace moments of stillness.
Now, when I sip coffee by the Marina or walk through a smart mall, I sometimes leave my phone in my bag — just to see what happens when I don’t look down. And every single time, something small and beautiful unfolds.
Because the truth is, you don’t have to escape the modern world to find peace. Sometimes, peace just begins with a pause.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Nangyal khan
Dieser Artikel ist neu veröffentlicht von / This article is republished from: Motivation, 22.10.2025
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