In June 2025, I had the privilege of taking part in Session 1 of the Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP) where I stepped into a 12 day immersion that stripped away the noise and gave me something I didn’t realise I was desperate for: space.

Australian Rural Leadership Program

ARLP is a 15-month, immersive leadership development experience designed for people living and working across rural, regional, and remote Australia. Run by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation, the program brings together leaders from all walks of life to grow their confidence, challenge their thinking, and strengthen their ability to create change in their communities. The experience includes four x 8-12 day immersions across NSW, the NT, SA and New Zealand, and focuses heavily on experiential learning, connection to Country, and leading with impact.

I’m incredibly grateful to have received a $60,000 scholarship sponsored by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. 

And the first stop on this leadership journey? Twelve days completely off-grid.

No phone.
No laptop.
No social media.
No Messenger pings.
No “just quickly checking” my emails.

Reaching for the phone that wasn’t there

For the first two days, I kept instinctively tapping my back pocket—where my phone usually lives. Every time there was a pause, a silence, or a spare moment, I reached. Muscle memory is strong when you’re used to being always on. But by Day 3, something shifted. I stopped reaching. And in its place came a sense of… relief.

No one needed me right now. No one could ask me a question or send me a notification. I was simply there, in the moment, with myself and the group around me [Don't worry if something had happened, my husband had emergency numbers to reach me].

Silence is confronting—but necessary

At home, I rarely experience true silence. There’s usually music on, a podcast playing, kids asking questions, or someone around. And when there’s not? I tend to fill the space with scrolling, reading, watching or multitasking. But off-grid, there were moments of real stillness. And at first, I found it uncomfortable.

I noticed how often I use technology as a form of numbing—to soothe, distract, avoid or escape. Without it, all I had were my thoughts, emotions and the physical world around me. And while that was confronting, it was also one of the most grounding experiences I’ve ever had.

When we stop numbing, we start noticing. And noticing is the first step to change. 

The return: a slippery slope back into the scroll

As soon as I got my phone back at the end of the 12 days, the pull was instant. I opened Instagram "just to check in"—and 45 minutes later, I was still there.

Then came the Messenger group chats (hello, kids’ sport), the emails, the mental load of decisions and schedules and admin. Within days, that calm clarity I’d gained off-grid had been replaced by the buzz of being connected again. 

So this week? I made a change.

I deleted the Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn apps from my phone. I muted Messenger notifications.

Now, if I want to check social media or respond to messages, I do it intentionally—on my computer. Not while I’m waiting in the car, lying in bed or trying to cook dinner. It’s a small change with a big impact. 

What I learned from being off-grid

This experience wasn’t just a digital detox—it was a leadership awakening. Here’s what it taught me:

• The mental load isn’t just about tasks—it’s also about inputs.

• We reach for distraction to avoid discomfort—but silence can lead to growth.

• Boundaries with technology create breathing space in your day and brain.

• Delegation only works when you let go—and trust others to step in.

• Presence is powerful—but it doesn’t happen by accident.

• Leadership isn’t just about doing—it’s about being, listening, and learning.

• You don’t need 12 days away—you need small, consistent shifts in your habits. 

If you’ve been feeling scattered, snappy, overstimulated or just a bit "meh"—consider a little digital declutter. Even deleting one app or muting one chat thread can make space for calm.

And as always, remember: you don’t have to do it all. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is pause.

Final thoughts on the ARLP experience

Being part of the Australian Rural Leadership Program is one of the most meaningful and perspective-shifting experiences I’ve ever had (and we've only just started as my cohort won't finish until September 2026). It gave me space to reflect on who I am without all the roles, responsibilities and distractions—and that clarity is something I’ll carry into every area of my life.

If you’re thinking about applying or just starting to explore rural leadership opportunities, I’d be happy to chat with you. Please feel free to reach out via email if you have questions about the program or my experience—I'd be happy to share more (without giving everything away).

And to the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)—thanks again for making this possible. Your support goes far beyond one person; it strengthens communities through the ripple effects of leadership in action. 

Want to hear more about what 12 days off-grid really felt like—and how it’s shifted my habits at home and work?

I dive deeper into the experience, the mindset shifts, and the changes I’ve made since in this month’s Be Simply Free Forever membership masterclass. You’ll also get access to monthly challenges, live Q&A sessions, and all the past masterclasses to help you simplify your home, calendar and mental load.
Click here to learn more and join us

Bridget Johns