The Digital Fast: 40 Days to Detox Your Mind and Reclaim What Matters Most

by Darren Whitehead, Henry Cloud (foreword)

In The Digital Fast, embark on a transformative journey to reclaim your life from the digital chaos. In this compelling guide, you’ll go on a profound 40-day adventure where you'll disconnect from the noise of screens, social media, and constant notifications, all while rediscovering the sacred art of listening to the voice of God. In a world consumed by screens, this powerful guide offers a roadmap to freedom, urging you to unplug, unwind, and reconnect with the essence of what it means to be human. As you detox your mind, you'll find clarity, peace, and a deeper connection to your faith. This book offers practical strategies, inspiring stories, and a path to spiritual renewal in our digital world. Join us on this empowering quest to reclaim what truly matters and rediscover the divine presence in your life.


We went on this eye-opening journey as a family. We found freedom, presence and connection…
—Scott Harrison, NY Times Bestselling Author of Thirst

I can say from personal experience that a digital fast made a huge impact on my family.
—Rachel Cruze, Two-Time #1 National Best Selling Author

If every church did The Digital Fast… it would radically alter the current trajectory of the Church...
—John Mark Comer, Bestselling Author of The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry

The Digital Fast is a beacon back to spiritual clarity and connection.
—Jon Tyson, Bestselling Author and Pastor, Church of the City, New York

The Digital Fast is such a necessary book for our moment.
—Jefferson Bethke, NY Times Bestselling Author of To Hell with the Hustle

I can’t imagine a more important invitation for a community to embark on together.
—Gabe Lyons, President, THINQ and Bestselling Author

Since beginning this work almost eight years ago, I have been longing for someone to bring this message to the church...
—Jenny Black, founder of Media Trauma Care, Author of Our Digital Soul and creator of Lose The Phone Podcast

I’m so thankful for The Digital Fast. It’s not only packed full of sound research and compelling truth, but it’s presented in a non-judgmental and encouraging tone.
—Preston Sprinkle, host of the Theology in the Raw podcast

Darren Whitehead's The Digital Fast is an essential read for anyone seeking relief in our intensely digitized world.
—Matthias Barker, CEO, Trauma Institute

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Self Help, Christian Living

189 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 31, 2024

Reviews

[Lauren Boykin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolutely incredible experience that I would recommend to anyone! Working on my “digital rule for life” over the next week or so. My relationship with technology is forever changed, and I’m motivated to use it for its good purpose but be extremely vigilant to the ways it can distract and trap me. Here’s to a lifetime of a more intentional relationship with technology, a better attention span, and a more clear head!

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our family is doing this (along with our entire church) for Lent. Come and join us!

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whitehead does a great job explaining the problem with technology and why we need to take a hard look at our relationship with it. However, this book contained nothing new and insightful for those who have a phone and are somewhat aware of the idea of addiction.

Love the heart and the idea - just was wanting more, more information and definitely more practicals in transitioning out of the fast.

[Kristen Hobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for lent and learning the ways our phones are distracting us from living a real and joyfilled life. I don't want my memories to be memories of other peoples lives I have watched through my phone. I want creat better habits and not just "give bad things up" but replace them with life giving habits.

[Carly Ochsendorf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 5-star guided experience with a 3-star writing style. I encourage anyone with a smartphone to round up a few friends to do this fast together (shout out to Katie here on GoodReads and our Lent group!). The accountability, encouragement, and reflection were a lot deeper when we could process the fast together! Dr. Whitehead developed 40 rich and insightful devotions to go along with the duration of the fast, which I loved. The introductory and closing sections, though, didn't offer a whole lot of new information - if you're reading that book, you probably already feel a need and motivation to unplug, and don't need basic points reiterated as much as he did. Cal Newport's Digital Minimalism or Nicholas Carr's the Shallows (an "old" but prophetic one at this point) offer more detailed discussion, but the Digital Fast is nonetheless a valuable and helpful contribution to the mindful-tech conversation.

[Erin Ragone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved going through this book for lent. Whitehead does a great job of laying out the how and why of digital fasting, then walking you through 40 days of devotions and how to think through re-engaging with technology after. It was a great reset for me to reprioritize my life. I'm excited for this next phase post fasting.

[Megan Houston · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave up social media for Lent and decided to read this book throughout the 40 day fast. It really opened my eyes to how much space distal technology takes up in our lives. This is a book I hope to come back to and read again each year to continue the work of trying to declutter my life of unnecessary digital media and focus on more on things that bring joy and value to my life.

[Jayden Wetzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Practical and Insightful Guide to Disconnecting
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Digital Fast offers a refreshing perspective on the importance of unplugging from our constant digital distractions. The author combines practical strategies with thought-provoking insights, challenging readers to reconsider their relationship with technology and embrace a healthier balance in life.

I appreciated the blend of real-life anecdotes and actionable steps, making the book both relatable and useful. The focus on intentional living resonated deeply, and I found myself inspired to make changes immediately.

While the book covers the topic thoroughly, I felt some sections repeated concepts that could have been streamlined for a more concise read. However, this didn’t detract significantly from the overall impact of the book.

If you’re looking for a guide to reclaim your time and attention in a tech-dominated world, The Digital Fast is a fantastic resource. Highly recommend it to anyone feeling the pull of too much screen time!

[Corie Beth Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fasting from social media the past 40 days has been such a reset for me. There have been moments I’ve experienced FOMO, but I have experienced more joy than fear. This book was such an encouragement for the fast. Whether you are religious or not, everybody could benefit from a digital fast to bring more peace and joy to their lives.

[Melinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this after listening to Darren speak on the 1000 hours outside podcast (loved that episode btw) however I found the title of the book to be a little misleading. The Digital Fast is very heavy on the religious side which include daily devotions to read through the 40 day fast.

Not a bad read, just not necessarily what I was looking for.

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not groundbreaking, but a very basic covering of the ideas around digital media, its downsides, and how to detox, with plenty of biblical reasoning to back it up. Approachable for the layman, not particularly interesting for someone engaged in the literature and science and philosophy around digital media.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our family is doing this (along with our entire church) for Lent. Come join us!!

Great book- good devotional guide. 40 days is a bit long, but it was so good to take a break and focus on other things. Some great takeaways have come out of this.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding. I attend Darren’s church (as a second church). I am so grateful he wrote this book and gave it out freely at church. It has had a profound impact on my family. I highly recommend this book to anyone who owns a cell phone (basically everyone).

[Derick Michaux · Rating 3 out of 5]

Phenomenal idea, but nothing new content wise. Would recommend skipping to the chapters where it breaks down how to approach the fast and the basic rules. We worked through this book in our men's group and just started the actual fast.

[Dan Mays · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is fine; has some helpful statistics and practical steps for a digital fast. The premise of the book (taking a 40 day digital fast) is worth exploring. I plan to have our church do something similar this coming Lent season.

[Colin Grandlienard · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a great premise and idea. Currently doing the Digital Fast. Just not sure it warranted an entire book. Felt like a lot of repetition seemingly to make chapters longer

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helpful book to begin the process of detaching from unhealthy habits with digital technology.

[Shannon Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a refreshing exercise in this digital age. taking so many things with me as I move forward, and hope to do this again in the future!

[Amanda Sagastume · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read through this book and watched the sermon series with our small group. It was a great practice and has made me open my eyes to the distraction my phone can cause in my life.

[Loren Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yikes - all I can say is yikes so much info that scares me into walking away from my phone.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this with my church for a digital fast and it was good. Nothing earth shattering or mind blowing, but all information that was good and helped me get back on track.

[Andrea Boeke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darren Whitehead was featured on Fox and Friends Sunday as well as the Livin the Bream podcast. His book, The Digital Fast, exemplifies the conservative values that we all cherish: faith, family and freedom. Get yours today!

[Crystal Reetz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, Godly guidelines

I enjoyed following the devotionals on a daily basis during Lent! Lots of great insights on the control our devices have over us.