Unplugging to RECONNECT

BHAVNA KHEMLANI writes about digital detox and the constant need for stimulation. We need to unplug to destress and reconnect.

- BHAVNA KHEMLANI

The soft hum of conversation filled Bean & Brew, a quaint café tucked away from the city's relentless pace.

The scent of freshly ground coffee mingled with the faint aroma of cinnamon pastries, but neither Alex nor Myna noticed. They sat at their usual corner table, bathed in the warm glow of hanging Edison bulbs where both were staring at their screens, their fingers moving with mechanical precision.

Myna sighed loudly, barely looking up as she scrolled through her notifications. “I swear, if I get one more Slack message, I might actually throw my phone into that plant pot.” She gestured to a tiny monstera in the corner, its leaves stretching toward the sunlight.

Alex smirked but didn’t lift his eyes from his laptop. “I feel you. I woke up to fifty-two emails this morning. On a Sunday. Who does that?”

Myna scoffed. “Apparently, your company. And mine. And every overworked soul on this planet. They don't get what weekend means. With the rise of AI, they expect us to be faster.” She leaned back, rubbing her temples. “It’s like the world just collectively decided that weekends don't exist anymore.”

Alex finally closed his laptop with a soft click, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Honestly? I don't even remember what an actual break feels like. Even when I take time off, I end up checking emails... you know, just in case.”

Myna let out a dry laugh. “Same. My brain never stops buzzing. First thing I do in the morning? Check my phone. Last thing before bed? Check my phone. I can't even watch a movie without scrolling through Twitter. It’s like my hands are addicted.”