Despite being proactive about procuring it, my flat’s wifi was delayed by a week and a half. Combined with the fact that my flat is a dead zone, I found myself completely disconnected from the outside world for hours on end. I missed countless texts, TikToks, and emails, and yet, I learned so much about myself and my relationship with the internet.
My unplugged exploits were better than I could have imagined. They made me realise just how dependent on the internet I had become, and how much it was affecting my life. While stranded in St Andrews with no-internet, I consistently got over 8 hours of sleep, a feat I had not achieved in years. With no Netflix to watch, posts to scroll, and an absence of books, I had no reason to be awake past 10 pm. Those early bedtimes paid off – I woke up refreshed every morning.
If there is one crime I am guilty of, it’s hermitting, and the internet could certainly be prosecuted as an accomplice. Don’t get me wrong, I love getting out both independently and with friends, but nothing beats the feeling of knowing I don’t have to leave home for a whole day. On my hermit days, I would alternate being productive with scrolling on my phone, watching my favourite shows/movies, and sending my friends and family more TikToks than I could count.
With no service, being a hermit was no longer an option. If I needed to check my emails, text a friend, or do homework, I had to leave my flat. What was initially a tedious and sometimes annoying act soon became a highlight of my day. I have always loved libraries, but having to camp out there meant I got a lot of work done, which preserved my early bedtimes and kept me less stressed. I also inadvertently spent more time with friends, as I ran into them more often and shared many impromptu coffees and chats.
Outside of the library, my daily runs got longer, as I spent more time outside to maximise my internet time. My step count shot up, and I spent more and more time away from home. It also challenged me to go farther than I had before. When I focused on catching up on my favourite podcast instead of the distance I was going, I found myself logging more miles than I was used to, which made me feel strong, and reminded me that running is just as mental as it is physical.
Perhaps the most random, yet useful, benefit to not having internet was an improvement in my cooking skills. Yes, you read that correctly. Instead of searching the internet for recipes, I had to develop them myself. Every fridge check felt like an episode of “Chopped,” and I whipped up new culinary concoctions without measuring ingredients or googling flavour combos. The most daunting task, however, was baking. My mom left me a recipe book with my favourite bakes as a flat-warming gift, but the ingredients and temperatures were all in US customary.
Without the internet, I had to essentially eyeball ingredients and cross my fingers that the oven was set correctly. Watching that first batch of chocolate chip cookies and snickerdoodles bake was so stressful I almost had to lock myself out of the kitchen to avoid constantly staring at the oven. Luckily for me (and my friends), everything worked out, and after every meal I felt like Anthony Bourdain. Even with my internet restored, I find myself whipping up random recipes based on instinct, and so far, my intuition has yet to fail me.
Despite a pleasant experience sans internet, my return to civilization was euphoric. Being able to receive texts, use Google, and watch Netflix, felt like being reunited with a long-lost lover. That being said, my growth was not for naught. I still experiment in the kitchen and go for long runs. I am also less dependent on the internet, and have learned to trust myself more, because I am smarter than I think. Most importantly, I still go to bed early, and cherish my 8 precious hours of sleep. My advice to anyone considering taking the no-internet plunge, do it! It sounds cheesy, but you might just discover new things about yourself, things you would never know unless you abandoned the internet.