How to Plan Your Own Digital Detox Weekend: Rituals, Journal Prompts, and the Gift of Slowing Down
If the idea of doing nothing sounds dreamy, but you’re not sure how to actually make it happen—you’re not alone.
We’re so used to filling every moment with content, tasks, and background noise that the idea of spending a whole weekend unplugged can feel… strange. Or maybe even impossible.
But you don’t need to commit to a silent meditation retreat to feel the benefits of a digital detox weekend. All it takes is a little intention, a few simple rituals, and a willingness to slow down.
Here’s how to create your own unplugged retreat, whether you’re heading to Tanglebloom Cabin or carving out quiet time closer to home.
photo Ethan Abitz and Jess Amich
1. Set the Tone Before You Go
Before your weekend begins, set yourself up for success by making unplugging feel like a gift—not a punishment.
Turn on auto-responders. Let people know you’ll be offline and when you’ll return.
Tell your people. Share your plans with anyone who may worry if you suddenly go quiet.
Delete the tempting stuff. Temporarily remove social apps from your phone, put it on airplane mode (or turn it off completely—yes, really).
Pack analog. Bring a book, a journal, and your coziest layers. You won’t need much.
2. Create Anchors Instead of Agendas
You don’t need a tight itinerary. In fact, the point is to let your day unfold naturally. But it helps to have a few gentle rituals to structure your time.
Here are a few you might try:
🌞 Morning: Grounding & Presence
Step outside with your coffee or tea.
Breathe in through your nose, out through your mouth.
Write down what you hear, see, and smell.
🌿 Afternoon: Rest & Renewal
Take a nap in the shade (if you’re staying with us, the hammock is perfect).
Go for a meandering walk.
Collect wildflowers from our meadow, skip stones, or simply notice something beautiful.
🌌 Evening: Reflection & Release
Light a campfire or soak in the hot tub under the stars.
Reflect on what you’ve noticed by unplugging.
Journal, or just stare into the night sky without a single agenda.
3. Journal Prompts to Reconnect With Yourself
Not sure what to write about when your phone isn’t nearby to distract you? Try one of these gentle invitations:
What feels spacious in my life right now? What feels crowded?
What do I miss about myself that I want to invite back in?
What do I notice in my body when things get really quiet?
Where have I been hustling unnecessarily?
What might “enough” look like in this season?
There are no right answers—only a soft return to the you underneath all the noise.
4. Let the Cabin (or Nature) Hold You
One of the reasons Tanglebloom Cabin feels so magical for a digital detox is that you don’t have to try so hard. Nature already knows the pace. The birds, the trees, the sun shifting across the sky—they hold the rhythm for you.
There’s no Wi-Fi in the cabin itself (though you can connect in the outdoor kitchen if needed), and nothing demanding your attention. Just a cozy bed, a warm outdoor shower, and the slow unfolding of a day with nowhere to be.
You don’t have to do anything to earn this kind of rest. Just show up.
5. Remember: You Can Come Back
Even a single weekend of slow, unplugged time can change the way you move through your life (in fact, a solo cabin retreat in 2010 is what inspired Melissa to create & share Tanglebloom Cabin in the first place).
And when the world comes rushing back in, you’ll know how to pause again. How to come back to stillness. How to trust the quiet.
Ready to Plan Your Own Digital Detox Weekend?
Whether you need a total tech reset, or just a few days of space to breathe, Tanglebloom Cabin is a beautiful place to land.
✨ Check availability here and plan your next slow, soul-restoring unplugged retreat.
Or better yet—forward this to a friend and plan your digital detox weekends together. Everyone needs more stillness right now.
