n our fast-paced lives, the hustle and bustle isn’t confined to the towering skylines of New York City alone. Whether in the vibrant streets of Lahore, the dynamic metropolis of Karachi, or the serene confines of Islamabad (just this once, though), the frenzy of modern living seems ubiquitous.

But wait a moment. I’m not here to critique the swift current of life. I’ve navigated my fair share of this frenetic hustle, where time slips away like grains of sand through your fingers.

Recently, I was introduced to a captivating shift in my life, as I embarked on a ‘digital sabbatical.’ Now, you might think it’s just a trendy phrase, but it carries its own distinctive essence.

Instagram, for instance, the post-millennial visual-centric platform, has transformed the way we perceive and present our lives. The compulsion to document every experience and curate an aesthetically pleasing feed can sometimes overshadow the authenticity of the moment. The pressure to share highlights, achievements and picturesque scenes can inadvertently lead to a ‘curated’ version of reality, where genuine experiences may take a backseat to the pursuit of online validation.

Now, think back. Is our social media presence really worth it?

The digital sabbatical allowed me to realise something profound. I was no longer ensnared in the mad race to be the first or the fastest. I found contentment in maintaining a steady pace; not too slow, nor too fast.

The digital sabbatical allowed me to realise something profound. I was no longer ensnared in the mad race to be the first or the fastest. I found contentment in maintaining a steady pace; not too slow, nor too fast. The world, in response, seemed to move in a cool, harmonious rhythm. Time slowed down, if only for me.

In the absence of the perpetual scrolling and the crazy race to be the first one to post, I found solace in the simplicity of being ‘present’ in the moment.

We’ve all felt that moment of disconnect when a notification triggers an almost instinctive response to jump for our phones. It’s a reflex developed through countless repetitions — a digital conditioning that prompts us to interrupt any task, conversation, or moment of solitude, to check what’s happening in the virtual realm. They call it FOMO (or fear of missing out).

So, in my life’s chaotic symphony, I decided to break up with my smart phone for a good while. Instagram, social media’s ‘drama queen,’ could wait while I escaped the race to be the first in the online ‘olympics.’ Minus the constant scrolling, the world seemed to have adopted a chilled, harmonious vibe, making me the Zen master of my own time. No more frantic phone-jumping for me; I’ve graduated from the school of Insta-detox with flying colours. The punch line? Disconnect to reconnect.

The writer is an ex-serviceman and a freelancer. He can be reached at shaafayzia@gmail.com