It’s 3:07 am. My phone suddenly vibrates itself awake on my nightstand, the glow of the screen illuminating my sleeping baby’s face. He stirs and starts to cry, woken by the unexpected disruption. Shushing him gently, I fumble for my phone to see what’s so important that it warrants disturbing us at this hour.
A flurry of messages flash on the screen – a fellow mom asking about Calpol dosage, a friend wanting to confirm plans for tomorrow, an Instagram reel about the “power of motherhood” making the rounds. The chatter is endless…and, at 3 am, utterly overwhelming. In that moment, I make a decision that will transform my life from that point forward: I swipe down, tap the crescent moon icon, and hang up my virtual “Do Not Disturb” sign.
The Profound Power of Silencing Notifications
That was three years ago. And in the time since, I’ve only flipped that door sign back around on a handful of occasions – when awaiting an important call from the doctor, for example, or a pre-scheduled chat with a contact. Outside of those rare instances, my notifications remain firmly, resolutely, off.
The impact of this one simple change has been nothing short of profound. By liberating myself from the constant pings, buzzes and alerts, I’ve reclaimed a sense of calm and restored some much-needed balance to my life. I’m more present, more focused, and immeasurably less stressed.
Embracing the Inaccessible
Admittedly, my newfound inaccessibility makes me a bit of a nightmare to get ahold of on short notice (apologies to my long-suffering partner). But the net gain to my wellbeing, my sleep, and my parenting has been unequivocally positive.
My phone is still a big part of my life, but it no longer intrudes on my living as relentlessly as it once did.
Of course, old habits die hard. I’ve had to consciously work on the self-discipline to avoid compulsively checking my phone for what I may have missed. The temptation of an unread message can be a siren song. But each time I resist that urge, the hold my device has over me loosens a bit more.
Presence Over Pings
For me, the driving force behind my notification-free life is my desire to be a more present, engaged mother to my two young sons. Toddlers and smartphones are equally demanding of one’s attention…but I know which one I’d rather be fully present for.
These precious early years are filled with moments I don’t want to miss because I was distracted by a buzzing phone:
- Watching my baby take his first wobbly steps
- The belly laughs of my preschooler as we play
- Bedtime snuggles and sleepy “I love you’s”
No WhatsApp message, no matter how urgent it masquerades as being, can compare to really, wholly, presently being there for it all. And that’s worth more than any number of unread notifications.
Quiet Nights, Rested Days
Aside from the benefits to my parenting presence, silencing my notifications has done wonders for my sleep. No longer am I jolted awake at all hours by pings and vibrations. My phone gets tucked in for the night when I do, and we both enjoy some much-needed uninterrupted rest.
The impact of improved sleep on my mood, patience, and overall sense of wellbeing cannot be overstated.
I’m calmer, less reactive, and better equipped to handle the everyday challenges of life with little ones. I have more energy and focus for my work. In every arena, I’m a better version of myself when I’m rested – and ditching nighttime notifications was key to getting there.
A New Way Forward
Three years into my notification-free life, I can’t imagine ever going back. The benefits have been too profound, the peace too welcome, the presence too precious. My phone still plays an important role in my life, but as a tool – not a tyrant.
To anyone feeling overwhelmed by the constant bombardment of pings and buzzes, I highly recommend giving the “do not disturb” life a try.
– Chloë Hamilton
Start small if you need to – maybe silencing things just during mealtimes or in the hour before bed. But I suspect that once you get a taste of the calm and clarity that comes with reclaiming control over your attention, you’ll be hooked.
Here’s to more tranquil days, restful nights, and presently lived moments. Here’s to giving our full attention to what – and who – matters most. Here’s to the life-changing magic of hanging up that “do not disturb” sign and meaning it.
