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7 Days Unplugged: The Highs, Lows and Lessons
2025 , August 13 – September 9
Mrachenik, Bulgaria
Participating countries: Bulgaria, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Greece, France, Turkey, India, Kazakhstan, Portugal
For many of us, our phones are more than just devices—they’re alarms, maps, cameras, entertainment and even safe space. Originally, phones were designed as tools—to call, to message and get directions. But today only a fraction of our daily screen time is spent on “functional” tasks. The majority is spent on entertainment and passive scrolling. Unlike tools, toys predispose constant use. This is why during the camp detox, the hardest part was losing the “toy”: the fun, the scrolling, the endless little hits of amusement.
The participants accepted the challenge and truly rocked it. But the change was instant. The evenings that were full of quiet or loud music and scrolling became full of laughter, conversations and different games. Creativity flowed from the first night. The participants were drawing, journaling, building a basketball hoop and mainly making bracelets. Without their phones, they discovered space to really reflect on their lives, dreams, and who they are.
Many admitted they didn’t miss their phones as much as they thought they would. Some even said they felt relieved not to be constantly online and wanted to continue limiting their phone use afterward, to stay mindful and present. It was incredible to watch them notice how much of life they usually miss while glued to screens, and how their creativity and imagination seemed to blossom the moment they unplugged. Laughter, new ideas, and genuine connection filled the days, and you could feel the excitement of discovering a world beyond the phone. Of course, everyone was excited to reunite with their devices—but now with a new perspective.
Controlling our use of digital technologies is crucial nowadays.
Studies show that heavy screen use can lower our ability to concentrate, shorten attention spans, and disturb sleep by disrupting natural melatonin cycles. Social media in particular has been linked to higher levels of anxiety, stress, and feelings of loneliness, as we compare ourselves to others online. When we let technology set the rhythm, it slowly shapes our habits, moods, and even our sense of self. But when we use it intentionally, for example choosing when to connect and when to unplug—we restore the balance. In that way, technology remains a powerful tool that supports our lives, instead of controlling them.
So, can we all handle a week without phones?
The answer is YES —and not only can we handle it, but we can have an amazing time, connect better and grow in ways that screens often keep us from noticing.
If you are concerned about your digital wellbeing? 📵 Then we have something for you! ‘Disconnect to reconnect’ is a guide full of ideas on how to spend less time with your phone and what to do instead! ‘Disconnect to reconnect’ is the personal project of Carlos, one of our ESC long-term volunteers in Rural Future project.
Find the full guide here: ⤵️
https://smokinya.com/…/disconnect-to-reconnect-carlos…/
This program is co-funded by the Erasmus+ / European Solidarity Corps program of the European Union.
Финансирано от Европейския съюз. Изразените възгледи и мнения обаче принадлежат изцяло на техния(ите) автор(и) и не отразяват непременно възгледите и мненията на Европейския съюз или на Европейската изпълнителна агенция за образование и култура (EACEA). За тях не носи отговорност нито Европейският съюз, нито EACEA.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
