In a world where our lives are powered by Wi-Fi, cloud apps, and notifications, living without the internet can feel impossible. So I set out to find out what it was like to unplug completely not just for a few hours,but for seven full days.
I recreated life as it was in 1995 before smartphones, streaming, and social media as a radical form of digital detox. No Google. No TikTok. No email. Just landlines, books, and boredom (or so I thought).
Table of Contents
Why 1995?
1995 marked the early days of the internet. People still used paper maps, VHS tapes, and dial up modems if they had internet at all. By rewinding to that era, I wanted to experience a true digital detox in a world before constant connection.
The Rules of My Digital Detox
To keep the experiment authentic, I stuck to these 1995 inspired rules:
- No internet, Wi-Fi, or mobile data
- No smartphone or apps
- No social media, email, or cloud tools
- Communication by landline, handwritten notes, or face-to-face
- Entertainment limited to books, CDs, radio, and offline TV
- No Google or GPS just maps and memory
Day 1: Offline Communication
The first thing I did was switch off my smartphone and plug in our old landline phone. That moment alone felt like stepping into another era.
Talking to friends and relatives on a landline brought back a completely different feeling the weight of holding the receiver, the stillness of just listening, and no distractions. No texting, no emojis, no voice notes just real conversations.
The Result: I found myself having deeper, more intentional conversations. I wasn’t multitasking or checking notifications I was fully present.
The Challenge: I quickly realized I didn’t have most people’s phone numbers memorized. I had to manually write them down from old contacts or ask around. That alone felt like a forgotten skill.
Day 2: Offline Entertainment and the Joy of Slowing Down
For entertainment, I went full vintage played a DVD, listened to music on CDs, and picked up a good old-fashioned novel. Re-experiencing that old-school DVD era brought a certain kind of visual comfort I hadn’t felt in years. There was no screen glare, no autoplay trailers just the movie, the moment, and me.
Listening to a full music album, without skipping around or being interrupted by notifications, felt surprisingly grounding. And reading a novel with no pop-up messages? Absolute peace.
The Result: I felt more relaxed, enjoyed things at a slower, deeper level, and soaked in that nostalgic, vintage vibe. It was like giving my eyes and mind a much needed break.
The Challenge: Choosing what to watch or listen to actually took more effort. Without algorithms recommending things for me, I had to think for myself. It was refreshing, but also a little frustrating at first.
Day 3: Navigating Without Google
On Day 3, I took my vehicle out for a drive without any digital navigation. No Google Maps, no live traffic updates. Just me, the road, and some good old-fashioned human interaction.
I stopped and asked people for directions along the way something we rarely do in today’s world. And to my surprise, those small interactions felt genuine. People were kind, helpful, and it reminded me of how we used to rely on each other instead of screens.
The Result: I actually remembered the route better. Without a voice guiding me turn by turn, I had to stay more alert, and that made the journey stick in my mind.
The Challenge: The only difficulty was in approaching strangers and striking up a conversation but once I did, it felt natural and even refreshing.
Day 4: A Workday Without the Web
Today was all about seeing what a full workday without the internet would feel like. That meant no Slack messages, no email pings, no Google Docs, and no quick browser searches. Just me, my notebook, and an old offline copy of Microsoft Word.
Surprisingly, the silence was golden. Without constant notifications and multitasking, I found myself fully locked in. Tasks that usually take me hours were done faster and with more attention to detail.
The Result: My focus absolutely skyrocketed. With zero digital distractions, I entered a kind of flow I hadn’t felt in a long time.
The Challenge: The hard part was collaboration. I couldn’t share files instantly or get quick feedback. Everything took a little longer, and I had to plan more in advance.
Day 5: Consuming News the Old School Way
On Day 5, I made a conscious decision to avoid all online news. I kept the TV off, skipped the news apps, and instead picked up a physical newspaper and tuned in to the radio just like it was done in 1995.
Reading the paper in silence, without flashing headlines or breaking-news alerts, felt oddly calming. The radio updates were short, to the point, and didn’t overwhelm me with negativity.
The Result: I felt less stressed. No doomscrolling, no panic-inducing push notifications—just a calm, steady stream of information.
The Challenge: The news definitely felt slower and less comprehensive than what I’m used to online, but honestly… that was okay. It gave me space to think, instead of react.
Day 6: Offline Social Life
Instead of sending a quick text or creating a group chat, I picked up the landline phone and personally called my friends to invite them over. It felt intentional like the effort itself set the tone for a more meaningful hangout.
When everyone arrived, we locked away our phones, played 90s music, and just… talked. No scrolling. No checking messages mid-conversation. Just pure, undistracted time together.
The Result: The conversations were deeper, more present, and more enjoyable. Without mobile interruptions, we all stayed fully engaged and the nostalgia of 90s music made it even better.
The Challenge: Coordinating the meetup was harder without instant replies or location sharing. But the payoff was absolutely worth it.
Day 7: Reflections on My Digital Detox
By the end of the week, living without the internet felt less like a burden and more like a relief. The constant noise of notifications, updates, and digital clutter had faded and in its place, I found something rare: quiet.
I had more time for myself. My mind was calmer. I slept better. I didn’t miss the pressure to stay “connected” or the stress of endless scrolling. Instead, I felt a kind of peace I hadn’t experienced in a long time.
This digital detox wasn’t just a break from technology it was a return to presence, patience, and clarity.
The Result: My sleep cycle improved, I felt less stressed, and most importantly, I experienced mental stillness. No more information overload. No more passive screen time. Just real life.
Also read:What Is Shadow Work and How to Begin: A Beginner’s Guide to Inner Healing
Ready to Try It Yourself?
You don’t have to dive headfirst into a full 7-day digital detox to feel the benefits. Start small. Try setting aside one evening a week to go “1995 mode”no internet, no phone, just books, music, or face-to-face connection. Replace screen time with something analog: write a letter, watch a movie on DVD, or take a walk with a paper map in your pocket.
Give yourself permission to unplug, even just a little. You might be surprised by how much more you notice, feel, and remember.
Final Thoughts
Living without the internet for a week was the most refreshing reset I’ve had in years. It wasn’t always easy, but it was absolutely worth it.
In a world where being online is the default, choosing to unplug might just be the most powerful thing you can do for your focus, happiness, and peace of mind.
Hi, I’m Swaraj Das a registered pharmacist by profession and a passionate blogger at heart. I love writing about wellness, spirituality, uplifting lifestyle tips, practical life lessons, and inspiring stories. Through my words, I aim to bring clarity, motivation, and well being to everyday life.
