I’m trying to reduce screen time but honestly… it’s tough. When you guys need a real digital detox, what do you do offline?
Personally, I’ve been attempting (keyword: attempting) to grow herbs on my balcony – my basil looks sad but I’m committed Any other plant parents here? Or maybe you have better hobbies that don’t involve killing greenery?
Drop your favorite non-tech recharge methods below
Going for a walk mainly
I go to the movies or watch a few at home, go for a walk, go to my local brewery (they don’t even have any TVs at all which is rare for a taproom so it works for me), put my phone in another room in my down time, read books, meal prep or cook something new/different
Note: if going out, you may need your phone for Uber and maybe other things but if you live in a city, you can always reply on public transit. Going out and coming back without a phone may take time but that’s the point of downtime and moving slow.
I grew a basil plant in a sunny bay window once. I have a brown thumb but the plant really thrived with all that light. Made homemade pesto after the harvest.
My disconnects:
Reading paper books.
Walking.
Long bike rides.
Gym - strength training.
Top-down Miata drives out in the countryside.
Sun bath, housework, sorting out finance (bookkeeping).
I dun really need to unplug though.
It changes with time but I currently these offline activities :
1. “long” bike rides (not disconnected, I use GPS and OpenTracks)
2. running
3. walking (when I really need to see the sunlight)
4. meet with friends/family
5. read paper books (not much)
6. cooking
Overall I like being online, reading blogs, newsletters,…
There was a time I did a lot of gardening.
Drugs
I love having plants around me, but also don’t have too much luck with growing “useful” stuff such as herbs, that’s why nowadays I only have cacti and succulents.
As for other not tech related hobbies:
Walking my dog gets me a guaranteed hour outside every day, I go for a swim or practice basketball at least once a week and if the weather is nice I cycle to work (~30 mins) so I don’t really need to do a dedicated “digital detox”
Hanging out with friends and enforcing a “no-phones” rule works best for me.
The most of amount of real-world time I get is when i actively do something. Staying at home for me always results in some screen-time no matter what I try…
Then again, this is probably a skill issue for me rather than a universal lesson for people. I guess my brain works better when other people keep me accountable
When going offline I have several options that work well for me.
I will take my dogs for a walk, play board games with friends (or solo if I’m not feeling social), read a nice paper book, try a new cooking recipe, and work the project car in the garage.
Everyone will find something different for them as like meditation or exercise.
I don’t use a computer at work so I’m unplugged until I go on break.
When I get tired of reading on my screen, I’ll binge watch a tv show or some Youtube vids.
same!
usually spend time with my family. If I’m alone or want to be alone, either read a book, a long walk or a long cycle.
I find cycling particularly good for “disconecting”. No possibility to grab the phone, no music or podcast, just you, your thoughts and the road or track.
This is a poor suggestion that doesn’t 100% fit your description because it involves a phone, but learning how to conduct field surveys for Open Street Map is a productive way to unplug from mindless consumption and be outside.
Start with Street Complete and then when you get more serious you can try out something like Vespucci.
I especially enjoy adding map features in remote areas like camp grounds knowing that the data will probably be very useful to someone someday.
For me it is weight lifting or watching anime from Blu-ray discs.
My unplugging “method” of choice is books. I curl up on a nice couch or bed and read nonfictional ones, which are my favorite kind of reading. Right now I’m devouring ‘Sid Meier’s Memoir - A Life in Computer Games’ 
my favorite non tech recharge method is go to the roof of my building and play with my nunchaku
grow herbs on my balcony is a healthy hobbie, I would say things that connect you to the reality such as planting is good
another great way to reduce your screen time is improve your social life, meet people make new friends…
Play with my cat, hitting the gym and my absolute favourite is touching grass enjoying the evening sun on benches at my local public park.
Gym (trying to go ~3x a week) and reading (currently reading Mood Machine by Liz Pelly) are offline activities I do regularly.
I go to the movies a few times a month and I want to get back into collecting records and listening to vinyl, but limited time and convenience of streaming is keeping me off it at the moment.