What Disconnecting is Like: Disconnectors Speak About Their DaytoDisconnect
Here’s some of the feedback we’ve gotten from Revolutionaries who disconnected on DaytoDisconnect.
Via email:
Thank u 4 the opprotunity to disconnect! I did it 4 an hour and I
felt so free!! Thanks!!
-Rivka
Dear Day to Disconnect,
This was the most amazing idea. I really connected today so much
more, and it was very worth disconnecting! Thank you for giving me
that opportunity!
Regards
Galya
decided to disconnect from my cell phone at twelve AM, Sunday morning, just asI was getting ready to call it a night. I felt as if I was duping the system because after all I don’t usually find myself sleep texting. However, when I woke up this morning I felt refreshed and invigorated, since I actually slept a full eight hours. No disturbing texts stealing my REM sleep, no vibrating phonebeneath my pillow just a deep revitalizing sleep. As I woke up, and I wiped thesleep from my eyes I found my arm stretching towards my cell phone, but I suddenlyrealized that it actually felt good to be free…I didn’t feel compelled toengage in meaningless chatter or compulsively check my emails. I was able topray without getting a single email, text, or BBM, and I allowed myself the privilegeof being wrapped up in the pages of Sense and sensibility, I had a conversation with my younger sister and not once did she have to reprimand me for “not really listening” to her. I found that it possible for me to communicatewithout turning on my communication devices
malka gitty
I davened with more kavana bc I knew I had allocated this time for it.
-Anonymous
Hi,
So i disconnected during the time that i was davening. That is
usually a hard time, because i get distracted from my cell phone going off.
When i davened today it was a different davening. I was able to
concentrate because i knew that i was disconnecting with my human
friends and connecting to the real source, Hashem. Thank you for making
this day to disconnect. It really helped me be able to be more focused on
myself, and really helped me to connect with my family instead of being
connected to electronic devices.
I wasn’t expecting to be in Eretz Yisroel for “disconnect day” so I had
forgotten about my commitment…
However, the idea must have reinforced the awareness of being “free”
in my head so I decided to be less connected for my visit. I decided
to check my email very infrequently and I rented a simple kosher phone.
I was visiting the Kosel during my commitment time and since I was in
the indoors section I had no cell phone service. I was enjoying
learning and saying tehillim and when I noticed that I had no service
I thought about going outside to check for voice messages etc. – then
I decided, no, I don’t need to let it control me. I went back to my
learning….
Most meaningful Tzom Gedalia I can remember…
-Yaakov
Disconnecting was awesome. Instead of doing one hour I did two hours. I am so proud of myself. It felt so good to disconnect from my phones for once. I hope I do it again next time but longer.
Thank You and Shana Tova.
Just wanted to say THANK YOU for this wonderful opportunity to disconnect , I got to spend time with my kiddies hands on without interruption of my cell phone going off every 2 minutes and half acknowledging what my kids r saying , it was truly a great feeling to disconnect to connect with my kids full hearted. Thanks again , ur tremendous efforts towards this wonderful project, has left me wanting to this more often , x0x0x0
-Hene
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
So I just finished my disconnect hour!!
I actually used the time wisely to accomplish some things around the
house. (I don’t know if that is what I was supposed to be doing!!! 
)
It was actually quite peaceful and I really felt a GOOD and WHOLESOME
disconnection from technology.
I would suggest this program to run on EVERY fast day!! As it is most
feasible then and appropriate.
Thank you for tis great and wholesome program!!!
–
Yehudis
Being off my laptop was hard after a 3-day period of being off it
already. Everything else I could be without. I did not know that it
would include my laptop. It was a good idea.
Linda
It was nice and relaxing not having to listen for my phone.
It was a bit lonely going shopping “alone” instead of having someone on the phone keeping me company but I was more focused on the task at hand and on the people around me.
Thanks for the opportunity.
Basyah
Didn’t use either my cellphone or laptop the entire day until about a
half hour before I sent you this email (it’s now 6:09 PM), so I
accomplished more then the 2 hours I’d signed up for. I read, spent
time with my husband, and just enjoyed the quiet.
Jennifer
P.S. Now I turned the laptop back on so that I watch Avienu Malkeinu 6.
I prepared dinner while waiing for my son to come home from shul to break the fast together. Then we sat down together to work on the text and design of his wedding invitation. The wedding planner I had left a message for earlier in the day called 3 minutes before the hour was up, and I did NOT answer the call, telling my son the time was all his.
–
All the best
Mazal
from Twitter:
@DayToDisconnect The “Disconnection” felt great, it felt so Liberating!! 2 Hours Unplugged, 2 Hours Disconnected, 2 Hours just for G-D!!
@DayToDisconnect enjoyed disconnecting today. Thanks for the encouragement. Spent some time @Starbucks patio w friends#perfectfallday
moyilin3:09pm via Twitter for iPhone
@DayToDisconnect disconnecting right now for 2 hours going to the park with my kids
Hinini Muchan Umezuman Lkayem Mitzvas aseh shel disconnect. All pumped for the next hour. @DayToDisconnect
from Facebook:
It think it is a wonderful idea and I joined. Four hours spent with my grandchildren in CT. without interruption.
I work in a dental surgery – today’s classic event:
Dentist: Do you have a GP?
Patient: No I have an Iphone
Crazyyy world of technology
עכשיו אתם מבינים למה אנחנו לא בקשר? כי יש לנו סקייפ מסנג’ר פייסבוק ICQ טוויטר פלאפון פטיפון SNS ועוד כל מיני מרעין בישין.
וככה חדוות החיים דועכת לה.
מעכשיו אני מנתק את המחשב עד אחרי החגים.
ביי לכולם………………