Ed Sheeran Screen Free Family Unplug

Step away from digital noise with Ed Sheeran's screen-free routine. This intentional evening sequence focuses on cooking, vinyl records, and uninterrupted time with family.

4 time blocks, 110 minutes in total.

Time blocks

Digital Device Lockdown: 10 min
Put away tablets and laptops in a drawer out of sight
Hands-On Meal Prep: 40 min
Cook dinner together from scratch with no background screens
Vinyl Record Evening Session: 30 min
Put on a vinyl album and listen all the way through
Screen Free Outdoor Wind Down: 30 min
Sit outdoors or by the fire for quiet evening conversation

About this routine

In late 2015, singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran made a permanent lifestyle change by giving up his smartphone. Experiencing burnout from constant notifications, he replaced instant messaging and social media scrolling with intentional boundary setting. Ed Sheeran's screen-free routine centers on turning off digital work tools before dinner to protect uninterrupted family time at his home in Suffolk.

Rather than reacting to incoming messages late into the night, he conducts all necessary business over email using a tablet during designated hours. Once those hours end, devices are put away completely. Evenings are dedicated to shared domestic activities like cooking meals from scratch, listening to full vinyl records, and talking without phones resting on the table.

This approach removes the low grade anxiety created by endless pings and algorithmic feeds. Using a daily routine timer can help you hold firm boundaries when powering down work screens for the night.

Why this routine works

Reduces notification fatigue and evening stress
Encourages deeper conversation without screen distractions
Creates a clear boundary between work and personal life

FAQ

Why did Ed Sheeran give up his smartphone?

Ed Sheeran gave up his smartphone in 2015 to reduce constant stress and maintain genuine face to face connections with his family and friends.

How does Ed Sheeran manage communication without a cell phone?

He uses email on an iPad or laptop during designated work hours, allowing him to turn off all screens completely during evenings at home.

How long is Ed Sheeran's evening unplug ritual?

This screen free family evening routine takes about 110 minutes, covering device lockdown, shared cooking, music, and quiet conversation.

Sources

Ed Sheeran Explains Why He Has Not Had a Phone Since 2015, The Howard Stern Show
Ed Sheeran on Giving Up His Smartphone, BBC Radio