WaldenWeek

Vol. 50 | Dec 8–14 2025

The Challenge

Corded Phone
Week

"Your smartphone just became a 1987 landline with separation anxiety. This week your phone is no longer “mobile” at home."

The Rules
  • When you are HOME → phone MUST stay plugged into the charger AT ALL TIMES.
  • When you LEAVE the property (including porch, backyard, driveway, …) you may unplug and take it with you to be actually “mobile”.
  • You’re allowed to be reachable while traveling, just like the original purpose of mobile phones
  • Interacting with your phone through smartwatches, iPhone Mirroring is allowed but try not to abuse it.
  • Work exceptions obviously allowed but be extremely strict.
The Impact
  • You will rediscover that a bathroom break actually takes 3 minutes, not 22.
  • Conversations will last longer than 6 minutes without someone “just checking something.”
  • You will slap your empty pocket in panic 15 times a day, proving exactly how conditioned you are.
  • You’ll remember that phones were invented to free us from cords, yet we voluntarily chained ourselves to them everywhere.
  • You will eat dinner without a glowing rectangle in our hands.

Lock In

If you fail, how will you pay?