Why Everyone’s Suddenly Obsessed with Flip Phones, Forest Walks, and Logging Off
The Great Log-Off: Why Digital Detoxing Is the New Self-Care Flex
In 2025, the ultimate wellness status symbol isn’t a $300 yoga mat or a cold plunge tub—it’s a dumb phone. Yes, the kind that only lets you call, text, and maybe play Snake. Celebs like Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, and Kate Beckinsale are ditching smartphones for minimalist devices, sparking a surge in flip phone sales and a cultural shift toward digital minimalism.
This isn’t just a tech trend; it’s a wellness movement. People are seeking respite from the constant barrage of notifications, doomscrolling, and screen-induced anxiety. Digital detox retreats are booming, offering experiences that promise to recalibrate our relationship with technology.
Nature Calls: Embracing the Offline Life
The digital detox trend dovetails with a renewed appreciation for nature. Activities like forest bathing—immersing oneself in a woodland environment—are gaining popularity as antidotes to digital overload. These practices not only reduce stress but also enhance mental clarity and overall well-being.
Wellness travel is also on the rise, with individuals seeking retreats that offer both physical rejuvenation and digital disconnection. From secluded cabins to nature-based resorts, the emphasis is on unplugging and recharging in the truest sense.
The New Status Symbol: Being Unreachable
In a world where being constantly connected was once a badge of honor, the pendulum has swung. Now, the ability to be unreachable—even for a short while—is seen as a luxury. It’s a statement: “I’m in control of my time and attention.”
This shift reflects a broader cultural reevaluation of our tech habits. As we become more aware of the impacts of constant connectivity on our mental health, setting boundaries with technology is becoming an essential aspect of self-care.
“It turns out the real flex in 2025 isn’t being
online—it’s being unreachable on purpose.”
Turns out, the healthiest app might be Airplane Mode.
The digital detox wave of 2025 isn’t just a fleeting wellness gimmick — it’s a quiet revolution in how we think about presence, sanity, and status. And it’s happening in group chats, on dinner tables, in airplane mode retreats, and yes, even at the Hollywood Hills brunch circuit.
People aren’t fleeing technology. They’re just renegotiating the terms. Instead of being constantly available, they’re choosing to be occasionally unreachable. Instead of doomscrolling, they’re birdwatching. Instead of double-tapping, they’re double-breathing in a forest somewhere, probably in Vermont.
This shift isn’t about going full Luddite or tossing your iPhone into the sea (though dramatic exits are always fun). It’s about reclaiming the off-switch. About remembering that your attention is currency — and you don’t owe it to every ping, reel, or email.
So maybe it’s time to turn off, log out, and drop the phone—for real this time.
You can always doomscroll again tomorrow.
