Journey with a Screen-Free Childhood

Surrounded by a world where screens were the epitome of everyone’s lives, my childhood was an exception. I was raised screen-free—without TVs, video games, or the constant need to be entertained. Instead, we filled our days with creative activities like drawing and painting, reading classic stories, and exploring the world. Looking back now as an 18-year-old with my own jewellery business, a successful school life, and equipped with life skills, I can see how this has benefited me.

One of the most important ways that having a screen-free childhood helped me was by teaching me to engage with my surroundings, listen to people actively, and appreciate the beauty in life. I wasn’t passively consuming content; I was actively engaging with it. Unlike many children today, who often struggle with short attention spans, limited vocabularies, and a constant desire for entertainment, I have been able to develop passions, value human connections, and find joy in nature and books.

Reading played a central role in my upbringing. With no TV or devices to distract me, books became my primary source of entertainment, learning, and adventure. Classic stories like The Secret Garden and Anne of Green Gables opened up new worlds for me, filled with complex characters, beautiful language, and meaningful life lessons. These stories shaped my thinking, helped me understand different perspectives, and built my vocabulary in ways that still serve me today. Reading also instilled in me a love for lifelong learning—it’s a habit I still treasure and one I know has been instrumental in my personal and academic growth.

Another thing I learnt from my childhood was the power of audiobooks and how much I could benefit from their stories. Audiobooks were a wonderful complement to my love of reading. They weren’t just entertainment—they enriched my understanding of storytelling and language. Listening to stories helped expand my vocabulary and taught me key values such as empathy and critical thinking. Unlike being glued to a screen, audiobooks allowed me to stay active while using my imagination. Whether I was painting, tidying my room, doing homework, or going for a walk, I could immerse myself in the stories I was listening to. The lessons I absorbed from these narratives continue to resonate with me today, and I will always encourage a screen-free childhood.

“No story lives unless you are willing to listen.”

Books and stories, whether read or listened to, have been a constant source of growth and inspiration in my life, and I can’t imagine growing up without them.

-Daughter of founder, 18 years old