May 15, 2026

 

Three weeks ago, I turned my phone off for 30 hours. Doing a "no tech day” was something I put on my LIGHT bingo card back in January with no idea of how or when I would be able to do it. One of my goals for this year is to be more intentional with my screentime and doing a no-tech day felt like a challenge I'd like to try. I wrote it down, put it on my whimsical shrinky dink bingo inspired card and kind of forgot about it…

 

Fast forward to finding out Scott (my hubby) was invited to an event in Bali and we'd be halfway around the world as a family with no real options to run home for an emergency and that lurking square on my LIGHT bingo card suddenly made sense. A plan started coming together to be truly offline for a full day. 

 

I'm a firm believer that we are much more likely to follow through on our plans & dreams if we tell others, so I shared my no-tech plans during a monthly LIGHT bingo card check in, told my family and then also told our tour-guide, West, who picked us up at the airport…

 

This is where kismet enters the chat.

 

 

I had no idea! It is such a big deal in Bali that the airport closes for a day, the internet gets shut down and electricity is only used for essential services. West told me all about the tradition, how it's a time for self-reflection, being quiet, connecting with your spirituality and balancing good & evil. And get this, it had just happened a few weeks before we arrived…ON THE NEW MOON. This is the beginning of the new year on the Saka calendar which is the lunisolar calendar that the majority of the people in Bali follow.

 

Although we weren't there for Nyepi, it felt like a sign to follow through with my no-tech day plans so Wednesday evening of our trip, I turned my phone off.

 

I called the front desk for a wake-up reminder so I wouldn't be late for my morning Pilates class in the most beautiful studio ever (but you wouldn't know because I didn't get a photo). Afterwards, I spent 45 minutes tracking my family down (didn't realize how much I love the Find Me feature on my phone), I'd asked them to write me a note, but they forgot. 

 

Once I tracked them down, we spent most of the day in the pool floating & chatting (including a 20-minute conversation with a 4-year-old who told me all about what feeling light meant to him - but that's the subject of another email). 

 

That evening we headed to Ubud Palace for one of the top 5 dinners I've ever had, under the stars with the moon shining. It was absolutely beautiful and I wish I had a picture, but because I didn't have my phone, I kept playing the 5 senses game in my head and occasionally saying “click” for the moments I want to remember. I can't share those visual memories with you, but they are cemented in my memory.

 

I turned my phone back on Friday morning, although I probably could have gone longer if I didn't need to check-in to our next flight.😔

 

Overall, I would highly recommend a no-tech day if you've been wanting to cut back on screentime. It was the reminder I needed that I don't need to be online every day and that I can capture memories in my head not just my camera roll. Next year, Bali's New Year falls on Tuesday, March 9, 2027, I'm going to block this day for a no-tech day on my calendar let me know if you'd like to join me!

The Balinese people are very spiritual, and we had multiple blessings during our visit, including a very special one at Ubud Palace on my no tech day (which means no photos of that one)! The ceremony and blessing included releasing the bad, making a wish/setting an intention and receiving a Tridatu bracelet. The bracelet is white, black and red to symbolize birth, death, and everything in between and a way to carry that energy with you in alignment.

 

It all felt very aligned and affirming to what I've been building with Light 56. Connection with the moon, community, releasing, intentions and a general spirit of presence and kindness. When we headed out on this trip, I truly thought it would be a once in a lifetime visit, but after our experience I will be going back! (Light 56 Retreat in Bali anyone!? 😉)

 

You can check out my daily trip recap on Instagram and my YouTube channel. 

 

I've been running a 17-day experiment using the Light 56 ABC model to share on stories, create a digital record of our trip and create a junk journal/physical album as well. This first video below explains some of my rationale behind why.

If experiencing Bali taught me anything, it's that small, intentional experiments can shift everything. If you've been wanting to feel a little lighter or finally tackle something you've been avoiding, I'd love to help you design a 5-day experiment uniquely yours.

 

PS — If you've been following along, you know the New Moon holds a special place in Balinese culture and in mine. There's a New Moon this Saturday, which is my favorite time to recommit, start something new, or set an intention. I'd love to hear what you're working on or what intention you're setting! You can also grab my free Moon Ritual guide here.

Light doesn’t mean everything is rainbows, sparkles & joy.

 

Light means noticing the good even during storms, darkness & grief.