Taking a Weekly Break from Technology

Every Friday night, my family and I disconnect from the digital world. My wife and I put away our laptops, turn off our phones, and spend about 24 hours offline.

We avoid movies, music, any type of shopping, and even going out. Our kids may not be the most socially engaged, but they, too, step back from the outside world and focus on family.

It’s a great reminder of what truly matters. I notice I feel less angry and anxious, not fixated on things beyond my control.

This routine honors the Jewish Sabbath, which starts right before sunset on Friday and wraps up after sunset on Saturday.

Why a Break?

To be honest, not many people practice Sabbath like we do. Sure, Jews who adhere to tradition observe it similarly, but in the grand scheme of the world, those who take a 24-hour internet break every week are quite few.

I believe that number should increase—not because I want more people to embrace our faith, but because I genuinely think everyone could benefit from a form of Sabbath. It’s simply good for well-being.

I’m not alone in this belief. Prominent figures, like the late Charlie Kirk, also recognized the value in taking a break from the chaos of life. He discussed this concept in a book, highlighting the personal gains from stepping away from the world.

The Benefits

From my experience, embracing the Sabbath offers numerous benefits. Taking a consistent 24-hour break from the internet helps maintain my sanity. I truly can’t overstate this—without it, I’d feel overwhelmed. The idea of being connected all the time is daunting.

By Friday afternoon, I often find myself irritated with social media, the news, and everything in between. As the weekend nears, that frustration tends to amplify.

After spending the week online, it feels like I’m on the verge of snapping. Too many distractions cloud my mind, making it hard to think clearly. As sunset approaches, I find myself yearning for unplugging.

It’s a necessity for me.

If even God, the original Sabbath observer, took a breather after creating the world, surely it’s reasonable for us to follow suit.

Information Overload

Never before have we had such unending access to news and information from all over the globe. We can explore places our ancestors only dreamt of and engage with strangers, sometimes facing unwarranted criticism from them.

However, this constant connectivity has severe downsides.

Our ancestors lived in a different era, one devoid of this overwhelming information stream. Nowadays, it can mislead us into believing that trivial matters hold more weight than they actually do. It distracts us from what genuinely matters—our families and our faith.

I mean, think about it. A world that’s constantly online seems to lose its collective sense of purpose. People appear more irritable, confused, and consumed by distant arguments, becoming less attuned to those around them. It’s almost like we’re losing our humanity due to this always-on culture.

Finding Peace

Every week when I disconnect, by Saturday afternoon, I’m always reminded of the same realization: what’s truly important. I tend to feel less anxious and kinder-hearted. More myself. My mind feels clearer, and I carry a sense of peace.

Honestly, I wish I could hold onto these insights without the Sabbath, but I struggle. I’m human—far from perfect. Maybe God really understood something essential about us when He set aside a day for rest.

So, every Friday night, I step back from the online world. It doesn’t have to look like my observance for it to be meaningful. Perhaps for you, it’s a different day or timeframe. What matters is that it suits you.

For me, it’s about turning off my phone, watching my family light candles, sharing a meal, staying away from the news, and cocooning ourselves in our little world, away from the chaos.