Real Connections: What Happens When You Put the Phone Down

Cady Cardwell
Aug 15
2 min read

Updated: Sep 3

Phones keep us connected, but not always in the way that matters most. Sending a quick text, liking a post, or snapping a picture might make us feel like we’re staying in touch, but these digital connections don’t always replace the value of real ones.

Think about the last time you had a long conversation with a friend in person, the kind where you laughed until your stomach hurt or shared something you’d never text. Those moments can’t be replicated on a screen. They’re real. They’re lasting. And they happen when we put our phones down.

When we’re glued to screens, we miss small but meaningful opportunities: a parent wanting to talk after dinner, a sibling asking for help, a teammate celebrating a win. These interactions often pass by unnoticed because our attention is elsewhere. But when we set aside time to unplug, we create space for those connections.

Unplug 60 is more than silence from notifications. It’s about being present. Imagine taking that hour to play a card game with your family, shoot baskets with a friend, or just sit and talk without checking your phone every few minutes. That one hour becomes proof that our relationships are worth more than likes or comments.

And here’s the truth: real connection builds stronger trust, deeper friendships, and memories that last longer than anything online. You won’t remember most of the videos you scrolled through last week, but you’ll remember the night you stayed up talking with a friend about your future, your dreams, or your fears.

Unplugging isn’t about missing out. It’s about finally showing up where it matters most.