September 1st - 30th
Blackout
Freedom from the Internet
For 30 days, we'll stop using the internet to distract ourselves.
No scrolling. No politics. No news.
Just what's essential to function, connect, and create.
How It Works
Phase 1: Blackout
September 1st: 30 days without digital distractions. We'll keep what's essential and cut the rest.
Phase 2: Emergence
September 30th: Ceremony. We'll gather to share insights, connect, and prepare for re-entry.
Phase 3: Integration
The community doesn't end when September does. We'll help each other maintain what we've learned.
Join September Blackout
Origin
We couldn't moderate. A "quick check" became an hour lost. An evening of "relaxing" became a Netflix binge.
So we went cold turkey.
After 156 days, we felt more productive and connected than we had in years. The fear and outrage disappeared. We became ourselves again.
Guidelines
Keep:
- ✓ Work & productivity tools
- ✓ Communication (texts, calls, emails)
- ✓ Books (suggestions)
- ✓ Music
- ✓ Utilities (banking, maps, weather)
- ✓ AI / ChatGPT
Cut:
- ✗ News and politics
- ✗ Social feeds (X, TikTok, Instagram...)
- ✗ Binge watching TV, YouTube
- ✗ Podcasts
- ✗ Sports drama & celebrity gossip
- ✗ Current events & pop culture
Golden rule: If you're unsure if it's allowed, it's probably not.
Preparing for Blackout
We'll email you a setup guide to help you prepare your devices, remove apps, and create systems that support your Blackout.
If you have more questions, read on or email us.
Questions you may have
What if I need to use the internet for work?
Same! It's the exception that proves the rule. The goal is to make the internet a tool for work and communication, not entertainment and distraction.
Is this actually doable?
Yes. We did a 5-month blackout last year, and over a dozen people joined us for our first 30-day blackout.
It's not easy — social forces push us to consume, to check, to "be informed." But we'll be here to help, and connect you with others who are doing this journey.
Isn't staying informed important?
We thought so too. After 156 days "uninformed," we didn't notice any negative impacts.
Most of what's called "being informed" is a kind of learned helplessness. This is one of the great propaganda wins of our lifetime: staying up to date on problems out of our control is a moral good.
What about X or Y or Z?
One criteria is the feeling tone of the usage: is it compulsive and moving you away from your work, your family, your friends? Or does it help you achieve your goals?
Message us if you'd like to discuss a specific case — hey@blackout.wiki.
What if I slip up?
You (probably) will. The practice isn't about perfection — it's returning to our intentions again and again.
This sounds extreme?
We thought so too. But we found abstaining was easier than moderating.
The goal of Blackout is to short-circuit the negotiation about tech usage long enough to find clarity.
Is this free?
Yes, our self-directed program is free. We offer paid onboarding sessions for those who want help setting up their systems and staying on track.
What happens after 30 days?
Some people go back to old habits (to see how it feels). Some continue Blackout principles. Most find a middle way — using the internet intentionally rather than compulsively.
Who's behind this?
We're two friends from college — Derek (tech founder) and Alex (clinical psychologist). We created Blackout as a way to save our sanity.