A 2 day Digital Detox with Rest & Wild
Every year, I like to take a trip to really step away from the noise. In the middle of nowhere! A full digital detox - no scrolling, no WiFi. Just space.
Rest + Wild in Exmoor was the answer! Somewhere I’d wanted to try for a while. I managed to get a 2 nighter in one of the beautiful off-grid cabins tucked away in the wild countryside. Xavi (my dog!) and I arrived on Friday and stayed until Sunday lunchtime, and in those few hours, it was soooo glorious! The rain made an appearance on and off, but it made it that extra bit cosy.
Friday Evening:
We travelled over after work and I felt pretty drained from the week. The drive wasn't too far from home though, at just over an hour. The pretty winding roads as we got nearer were an added bonus.
The cabin was deliciously luxurious! Warm and minimal with some gorgeous tolietries, fluffy towels and the most squishy bed… AND it was intentionally disconnected. So, no WiFi, no TV. The wood burner set the mood and the huge windows looked straight out onto the hills - perfect for stargazing that night.
The Friday evening plan was simple - a cosy dinner, winding down and grabbing an early night - bliss.
Saturday:
I woke without an alarm to the sound of the rain, which cleared up in time for a morning wander through the lanes. We found a wild swim spot later on too and had a cheeky dip. It was freezing but oh so lovely. Then lots more walking!
Back at the cabin, we warmed up, read a bit, got on my mat for a yoga session and made something to eat. Time slowed down, no rushing, just being.
Sunday:
I ran the outdoor copper bath that morning - ooof! So good. Hot water, cold air, no rain! The sun said hiiii! There's something special about the quiet that settles in when you've been offline for a couple of days.
I had tea, journaled, and sat by the windows a lot that morning, reflecting and dreaming of my own cabin in the countryside!
Why I do it:
Doing a digital detox at least once a year is one of those things I just feel called to do. If I didn’t have to have a smart phone (for my main job), I probably wouldn’t.
When you’re constantly plugged in, even when you're not actively ‘doing’ anything, your attention is always being pulled. Well, mine is anyway! Out there, with no signal, nothing is demanding any time, I'd had a fuzzy headache all week and it drifted away on the first day. The power of pause and nature!!
A few thoughts/pointers:
The weather doesn’t need to be great! I actually really enjoyed the cosy vibe when it rained.
You won’t miss your phone as much as you think. I certainly didn’t miss scrolling AT ALL.
Rest doesn’t have to be earned. You don’t need to hit burnout to deserve time off. And if not a cabin in the woods, it could be an hour or so just without your phone each day.
Silence is so underrated. It helps you hear what’s going on underneath all the noise.
Don’t be afraid to go alone. I love a bit of social time but I equally thrive in my own company, the freedom, the peace, it brings me just as much joy.
Sheep! My pup can be reactive, so be mindful if yours is similar - the sheep roam freely and can chill out near the cabin. He actually got really used to them… but just something to think about.
Would I stay again? Yes! But I’d absolutely try one of the other locations further away, just to mix it up. They look gorge.