Digital Fast June 2026

Digital Fast - June 7 - 21, 2026

Following the Fast:

Summary: The digital fast brought us some level of conversion and increased level of intentionality when it comes to our devices.

Think of the ten thousand ways we are daily distracted from what we really care about by manufactured desire, manipulated fear or mass-produced opinion.
Attention is a rare commodity in this age of distractions.

How do we parse it out, our energy, our devotion, our powers of concentration?
How do we deploy our awareness?
Whom will we listen to?
To whom, to what, what person, what question, what thought, do we mean to be present?

DIGITAL FAST DEBRIEF - OUR REFLECTIONS

The fast helped me realize the importance of presence and just how prevalent digital devices are in people’s lives.
Bricking my phone led to more productivity in less time which gave me more time for walks.
I think everyone should try a digital fast, kind of like a budget. You discover what is really happening to your attention. I experienced less doom scrolling and an uptick in my intentionality.
I discovered that I need to buy a watch. I use my phone for a timepiece and it hooks me. It was a fun experiment and good uncover my dependence.
I liked feeling I was “living in my life” rather than trying to catch up to my life.
I reframed multi-tasking as “task-switching.”
I am going to keep my restrictions on my Brick because I discovered more freedom and a feeling better about myself when using them.
I already silence my phone at work but now I also silence it on walks.
I appreciated the added family connection time that came with a more intentional approach to phones.
I appreciated becoming more aware of how devices take our attention with “made up urgencies.” My mantra when limiting my texts: “iI it’s urgent, they’ll call.”
I now puts my phone in another room at night and I am getting better sleep.
I am very good at making excuses, so I loved Bricking my phone – even though it couldn’t block all my apps.
The world is designed to do things online. Newspaper subscriptions, making appointments are almost to accomplish without tech. Even to pick up children at daycare you need to scan a bar code. Convenience is a major reason we are so dependent on our phones.
Our family only had family game night once during the experiment. But that is one more than we would have had without the fast. “One night is better than none.” The family enjoyed game night.
We really enjoy several long evening conversations during the digital fast.
Our nervous system was never designed to carry the grief of an entire planet so I dropped all my media news updates and subscribed to a daily newspaper once again.
I like reading the Letters to the Editor because there are opposing viewpoints, not a curated algorithm of sameness.
My father was a recovering alcoholic for many years and I recognize the addictive behaviors that phone use brings to some people.
I can’t stand people always looking at their smart watch when you are in conversation with them.
I use my smart watch for red ink kind of reminders – take my meds – appointment reminders – pick up the kids reminders. Everything else is turned off.

SOME THINGS WE MIGHT CONSIDER GOING FORWARD:

LIMITING NOTIFICATIONS LONG-TERM Keep using the Brick or Focus settings on devices
BEING INTENTIONAL ABOUT 'PROXIMITY' Keep phone generally in one place (reminder: proximity increases interaction increases dependence increases proximity)
AGGRESSIVELY UNSUBSCRIBING from every marketing email possible and watching our in-box get smaller
ADJUSTING SOCIAL MEDIA FEEDS To pare down what we see on social media, here are some how-to instructions for:

STRATEGIES SOME OF US ALREADY USED PRE-FAST:

One of us (Karen) uses her Lent timer as a social media timer - she sets 10 minutes and sticks to it
One of us (Andy) has 30-60 minutes set aside each day for email, and generally does not read or respond to emails outside that hour.
One of us (Mike) plugs in the cell phone like a landline and doesn't carry it around the house or check it frequently
One of us (Wendy) carries needlepoint with her, for those 10 minute chunks of time that would usually be eaten up by her phone.
One of us (Sue H) reads the paper paper.
One of us (Kristen) doesn't respond to messages in the evenings or at night.

A Congregational Digital Fast, June 7-21

Intentionality: Living a Good Life

THIS SUMMER: HOW DO YOU WANT TO LIVE?

We are kicking off summer seeking to be present and available to all the joy and wonder of life, by doing a two-week digital fast together, and centering real-world summer fun.

Each household will decide perimeters around what apps, internet use and technology they will let go of for the two-week period.
We will end by crafting intentional plans going forward, to make our day-to-day lives more focused on what matters most to us.

Some in our community are NOT as addicted as others - each person/family's "plan" will look different. We need each other to help us all through!
JUNE 7, 11:15-12:45: Digital Fast Kick-off workshop after worship, with lunch.

DIGITAL FAST JUNE 7 sundown - JUNE 21 sundown

June 21, 11:15-12:15: Digital “Break-fast” after worship