I Left My Phone Behind—and Found Myself Again

Yesterday, I woke up feeling drained. My social battery was flat, my energy felt low, and everything just felt a little... heavy. It was one of those days where the noise of the world felt too loud, and I knew I needed to step back and reset.

So I did something I always recommend to others but don’t always remember to do myself—I headed straight to nature. I went to Kennel Vale, one of my absolute favourite places. There’s something special about that place. The energy is just different. The cascading waterfalls, the mossy trees, the hum of the wild—it’s like the Earth takes a deep breath there, and you can’t help but breathe with it.

Before I left the car, I made a decision that felt small at the time but ended up changing everything: I left my phone behind. No camera, no messages, no notifications. Just me, my dog, and the forest. It was honestly the best decision I’ve made in a long time.

As soon as we stepped into the woods, I felt the shift. My dog was running wild, full of joy—jumping, swimming, living her best life. Watching her in her element was a kind of medicine. I lifted my face to the sun, letting the rays hit my skin. I even took off my jumper so I could really feel the cold breeze and the warmth of the sun against my skin. It was so grounding. I had no idea how long I was there for—and I didn’t care.

The usual weight of time—of needing to be back, of checking my phone to see if someone needed me—it completely dissolved. Instead, I was just there. I listened to the birds, I watched the trees sway, I noticed how the sun created little rainbows as it danced on the water. Everything felt alive, and for once, I felt like I was part of it—not just observing it through a screen.

I focused on my breath. Deep, cleansing breaths. The cold air filled my lungs and it felt amazing, like I was clearing out more than just physical tension. It’s wild how anxious I initially felt about leaving my phone behind. What if someone needed me? What if I missed something worth capturing? But the truth is, I saw so many beautiful things—and I kept them all for me. No photo, no filter, no pressure. Just memories.

And when I got back to the car? I checked my phone… not a single relevant notification. Nothing that couldn’t wait.

That feeling of freedom stayed with me, so I did it again today—this time at the beach. Just me, the sound of the waves, and my own quiet company. It reminded me of childhood, before screens were everywhere. When we were just living in the moment. Laughing, breathing, noticing the world.

I can’t recommend it enough: leave your phone behind. Even just for an hour. Go to the woods, the water, wherever your heart feels lightest. The world will still turn. And you might just find a part of yourself you didn’t even realize you’d lost.