The Unplugged Hours

Cultivating a Life of Presence in a Digitally Connected World

By: Hannah Brencher

Narrated by: Hannah Brencher

Read by the author.

No matter what you do for a living, how much time your apps save you, or how much entertainment your phone brings, it is possible to unplug—and find an even better life on the other side.

In the spring of 2021, Hannah Brencher found herself depleted and exhausted—and she knew the culprit was her constantly plugged-in lifestyle. Like so many of us, Hannah had been turning to her phone to cope with life in a time of isolation and uncertainty. Those coping mechanisms had calcified into habits she didn't know how to break. Sound familiar?

That's when the nudge happened. Turn off your phone and keep turning off your phone. And a challenge was born: 1,000 unplugged hours in one year. Soon after she shared her tracker sheet on her website, thousands of people downloaded it and signed up for their own 1,000-hour challenge.

Now in The Unplugged Hours, Hannah demonstrates how the act of powering down changed her entire life. It's a strikingly small thing to do and a surprisingly difficult habit to maintain, but turning off your phone has a substantial impact on your mental health, relationships, time management, and outlook on the world. A powerful weaving of memoir, cultural commentary, and spiritual insights, this life-changing book helps you:

• Reclaim your ability to be present and engaged with the world around you
• Swap the hurried, constant pace of technology for a steadier, more rooted way of living
• Establish your own unplugged rituals and rhythms in daily life
• Uncover the magic within the ordinary awaiting you just beyond the screen

The Unplugged Hours gives you the practical ideas and spiritual inspiration you need to stop scrolling and start living.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Hannah Brencher (P)2024 Zondervan

Immediate Peace in the chaos

The number one thing I could take away from this book is the ability to take a big, deep, uninterrupted breath in a very “hurried” season with a toddler and a full-time art business. I realized I had placed my trust in my own work ethic, in others opinions, and social media, rather than placing my trust in God after reading this book. As a new mom and an entrepreneur of seven years, this book reminded me that self help books and others opinions can matter sometimes, but ultimately ‘slow, unplugged living’ is the way to hear God’s voice. Right before finding this book, I committed to deleting social media for a month, even in a hard season with business, and it changed my life. It gave me back my contentment and creativity. It opened up new ideas for my art, my business, and ways I can parent by turning down the noise and listening for Gods guidance instead.

Very encouraging and just what my heart needed!

Loved this book! It was exactly what my heart needed. Every page felt like a breath of fresh air, a gentle reminder to slow down and be present in a world that’s constantly rushing around. The writing was both raw and comforting, filled with lots of truths that encouraged me to reflect on my own habits and priorities. It’s been so motivating, especially when it comes to stepping away from my phone and truly savoring the moments right in front of me. It reminded me of the beauty found in quiet, in embracing stillness, and in seeking deeper connection with others. This is a book I will definitely be coming back to in the future—it’s a special one that inspires, challenges, and leaves you feeling a whole lot lighter and more grounded every time. Truly a gift and I’m so glad that I read it! Highly recommend!

Perfect from beginning to end

I’m one of those people that will stop listening to a book if it’s just alright. This book was fantastic and I listened and took in everything she had to say. I’ve been wanting to cut back my screen time and just needed some motivation to do it and this book was it.