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The Healf Source
I Went Off Grid For Four Days And This Is What Happened
Written by: Eleanor Hoath
Written on: May 13, 2025
As someone living in London, working in wellbeing, and constantly online, the idea of going completely off-grid for three days sounded extreme. But that’s exactly what I did.
I booked a solo stay at one of Unplugged’s digital detox cabins - no Wi-Fi, no smartphone, no contact with the outside world. Just a Nokia brick phone, a paper map, and me. Unplugged’s tagline is “disconnect to reconnect” - a line I’d always interpreted as something you’d do with a partner or friend. But this trip made me realise: maybe it’s actually about reconnecting with yourself.
Getting there (and the 850 metre walk that set the tone)
Morning walks and conversations with cows
I created the hashtag “green time before screen time’' back in lockdown and so each morning, I took long walks across the fields and woodland surrounding the cabin. No Google Maps. No music in my ears. Just a compass, a paper map, and space to think. Of course, there was also no screen time to follow either.
I gave myself a rule: say out loud whatever I was thinking. It felt weird at first, like I was rehearsing for a play. But soon it became something else - a kind of uncensored therapy session?
Things have been hectic lately - it’s been full on. And on those silent walks, with no input from screens or other people, things started to land. Ideas surfaced. Realisations bubbled up. Change felt imminent. Without distraction, my thoughts had space to settle.
Reading, reflecting, and realising
Turns out, my quiet cabin retreat was doing more for my wellbeing than I ever could’ve imagined.
Deep sleep, for once
Everything takes longer — and that’s the point
Nothing in the cabin is automated. Making coffee takes time. Reading the map requires focus. You slow down, not because it’s a nice idea, but because you have no choice.
That shift in pace made me realise how much we rush through things - eating, commuting, even conversations. By the end of the three days, I felt like I was moving at a more natural speed.
Coming back changed
When it was time to leave and I unlocked the box to retrieve my phone, I actually hesitated. I didn’t want to turn it on. But I did, and almost instantly, the outside world came rushing back in. Messages, notifications, noise. But something had shifted. I didn’t feel the same pull to respond to everything instantly. I had more patience. I didn’t reach for my phone out of habit.
I’ve kept that going. I’ve reintroduced tech-free time especially on weekend morning. I’ve started reading more. I’ve stopped ‘always having something playing’ and listen to more live noise, even now as I write this in a coffee shop, headphone free. I even picked up painting again. I'm getting more done at work - fewer distractions, more focus. I’ve written more in the last few weeks than I had in months. I feel sharper, more capable, and far less scattered.
Final thoughts
I went off grid thinking it would be a break. What I got was a reset.
Unplugged’s “disconnect to reconnect” message stuck with me - because it turned out the person I needed to reconnect with wasn’t a friend or partner. It was myself. If you feel like your brain is full, your time never feels like your own, or your creativity has gone quiet - I’d recommend 72 hours offline. Not just for peace and quiet. But because it reminds you what it feels like to think clearly again.
Use code UNPLUGHEALF for 15% off all cabins (excludes add-ons)
* Expire on Wednesday 21st May 2025
This article is for informational purposes only, even if and regardless of whether it features the advice of physicians and medical practitioners. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. The views expressed in this article are the views of the expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Healf
This article is for informational purposes only, even if and regardless of whether it features the advice of physicians and medical practitioners. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. The views expressed in this article are the views of the expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Healf
Eleanor Hoath is a Registered Nutritional Therapist (DipNT, mANP, mBANT) specialising in gut, skin and women’s health. She is the Editor of The Healf Source and founder of Well Nourished Nutrition Ltd.
Passionate about holistic wellbeing and balanced living, Eleanor combines evidence-based nutrition with a practical, approachable style to help people feel their best through content.
Based in London, she is dedicated to empowering individuals to nurture their health and understand the root cause of their symptoms from the inside out.
