Invent a holiday! Explain how and why everyone should celebrate.

Let’s face it:

The calendar is full of weird, niche holidays. National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day? Sure. Talk Like a Pirate Day? Absolutely. But what about the holiday we actually need — one that’s unapologetically for the soul, not the algorithm? Enter Unplug & Reboot Day.

The How:

Pick one day a year. Yes, just one. Turn off the phones, laptops, notifications, and any appliance that beeps or flashes at you. Sit. Walk. Nap. Eat something that reminds you of childhood, or something totally weird like pickles on toast. Journal. Stare at the ceiling and let your brain wander. If someone asks what you’re doing, simply wink and say, “I’m on official Reboot Duty.”

The Why:

Because we live like our brains are on 24/7 Wi-Fi. Anxiety, stress, and burnout are the side effects of always being “on.” Unplug & Reboot Day is a gentle middle finger to productivity culture, a tiny ritual reminding us that life is not a checklist — it’s messy, strange, and beautiful. By doing nothing, we actually do everything that matters: rest, reflect, reconnect with ourselves.

The Celebration:

Share a cup of tea with a friend, go for a barefoot walk in the park, or binge-watch something utterly ridiculous without guilt. Post a photo of your unplugged toes in sand or grass (or not — remember, we are unplugged). Every unplugger is a fellow celebrant in a quiet revolution: reclaiming our time, our attention, and our joy.
So, mark your calendars. Turn off your phone. And let your brain stretch its legs for a day. Trust me, your future self will high-five you.

I’d probably pick October 11th — perfectly random, not near any major holiday stress, and just cozy enough to make a low-key rebellion against productivity feel officially sanctioned.

Which day feels right for your own Unplug & Reboot Day?

But for reality 20 minutes a day

Yes, let’s bring it down to reality: 20 minutes a day.

Not a full “day off,” just a little pocket of sacred air.

Twenty minutes of nothing — no phone, no work, no scrolling — is like a mini-vacation for your nervous system. You can sit, breathe, walk, stretch, or stare out the window. Enough time to notice your thoughts, let your shoulders drop, maybe even hear the subtle soundtrack of your life that gets drowned out by notifications.

Do it consistently, and those 20 minutes start stacking: your mind feels clearer, your mood steadier, your intuition sharper. Think of it as planting tiny seeds of calm that grow into a forest of sanity over time.

And if you need a step by step ritual

Step 1: Announce it (to yourself, at least)
Set a timer. Put a sticky note on your laptop: “BRB: Rebooting”. Pretend the world can wait.

Step 2: Drop the gadgets
Phone off, notifications off, even the TV if it’s nearby. You’re on official “do nothing” duty.

Step 3: Pick your flavor of reboot
Sit quietly: Close your eyes, notice your breath, maybe imagine a hammock somewhere tropical.
Move slowly: Stretch, sway, or wander barefoot around your space.
Observe: Watch the sky, the plants, your cat judging you. Let your mind notice without editing.

Step 4: Optional cheeky bonus
Drink tea. Eat chocolate. Sing a line from a song nobody else will hear. Smile at yourself — it’s mandatory.

Step 5: Close gently
Open your eyes. Take a deep breath. Stretch again. Re-enter life with a smidge more clarity, a touch less tension, and maybe a mischievous grin that says, “Yes, I did that, and no, you can’t steal it from me.”

Twenty minutes. Every day. Tiny, but mighty. And before you know it, your nervous system starts sending thank-you notes. 😀

Love, Stefanie Anna