Living Like a Monk for 7 Days

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to live like a monk?

No social media.

No talking.

No junk food.

No distractions.

Just you, your mind, and complete silence.

I did it for 7 days—not in a monastery, but from the comfort of my own home—and what happened completely shifted my perspective on life, discipline, and happiness.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by modern life, read on. This might just be the reset you didn’t know you needed.

Why I Chose to Live Like a Monk

It started with burnout.

Between constant notifications, work pressure, doomscrolling, and late-night snacking, I felt like I was living on autopilot. I had no clarity. I was constantly exhausted. I wanted to feel alive again.

I stumbled across a video about Buddhist monks and their simple lifestyle. Something about the peace in their faces, the quiet joy in their routines—it spoke to me. So I made a plan:

For 7 days, I would live like a monk.

The Rules I Set

Since I couldn’t exactly check into a monastery, I created my own monk-style boot camp at home. The rules were simple, but strict:

Wake up at 5 AM

Meditate for 1 hour daily

No talking unless absolutely necessary

No phone, internet, or social media

Eat only two simple vegetarian meals a day

No sugar, caffeine, or processed food

Read only spiritual or philosophical books

Daily journaling

Sleep by 9 PM

It might sound intense. It was. But it was also one of the most enlightening experiences of my life.

Day 1–2: The Inner Chaos Begins

The first two days were rough.

I didn’t realize how addicted I was to stimulation until I removed it. No phone meant no scrolling. No talking meant no distractions. I found myself pacing. Bored. Restless.

Meditation felt impossible. My mind jumped from one thought to another like a hyperactive monkey. I craved coffee, memes, noise—anything but stillness.

But I stayed with it.

Day 3–4: A Strange Peace Begins to Set In

By Day 3, something shifted.

I started to enjoy the silence. My mind, though still noisy, had fewer tabs open. I noticed little things I had overlooked for years—birdsong in the morning, the texture of my bedsheet, how food actually tasted when eaten slowly.

Journaling became therapy. I wrote without filters. Thoughts poured out that I never even knew I had.

It wasn’t comfortable—but it was real.

Day 5–6: Insights Start Flowing In

This was when the real magic happened.

Without distractions, I had time to reflect deeply—about my habits, fears, insecurities, and aspirations. I realized how much of my stress was self-inflicted. I saw how I use busyness as an escape from discomfort.

I started enjoying meditation. I stopped needing entertainment. I felt lighter—mentally and emotionally.

One evening, I just sat watching the sunset. No phone. No agenda. Just pure presence. It was oddly emotional.

Day 7: I Didn’t Want It to End

On the final day, I woke up feeling more clear-headed than I had in years. I didn’t want to check my phone. I didn’t want to go back to junk food. I didn’t even want to talk.

The silence had become a friend. The routine had become sacred.

I knew I couldn’t live like a monk forever—but I also knew I couldn’t go back to my old ways either.

What I Learned from Living Like a Monk

Here are the biggest takeaways from my 7-day experiment:

1. Stillness is a Superpower

Most of us are running from ourselves with noise and distractions. But stillness helps you meet yourself—and that’s where transformation begins.

2. We’re Addicted to Stimulation

It’s scary how uncomfortable we are with silence. But once you get past the withdrawal, the clarity is worth it.

3. Simplicity is Underrated

Two simple meals, no digital noise, and early sleep made me feel healthier than any expensive wellness hack ever did.

4. Your Mind Is Messy—And That’s Okay

Meditation didn’t silence my thoughts. But it helped me observe them without judgment. And that’s incredibly healing.

5. Discipline Creates Freedom

Monk life is all about discipline. And ironically, the more rules I followed, the freer I felt.

Will I Do It Again?

Absolutely.

In fact, I’ve started a weekly “monk day” every Sunday—no phone, no talking, no sugar. Just silence, reflection, and reset.

It’s not about religion. It’s not about perfection.

It’s about slowing down long enough to hear the quiet voice inside you saying: This is what really matters.

Final Thought

You don’t need to move to the Himalayas to find peace.

You just need to pause. To be still. To breathe.

Try living like a monk—not forever, just for a few days.

You might just discover the most peaceful version of yourself hiding beneath the noise.