Living in Bali, it’s impossible not to be touched by local traditions. Life here revolves around religious ceremonies and celebrations.

I once attended a Melasti purification ceremony at the beach, where the vibrant colors of the offerings contrasted sharply with the solemnity of the rituals — I was completely lost but utterly fascinated.

Not all of these traditions directly impact expats or tourists. Most of the time, you’re just an observer — unless a local family invites you to a ceremony, which, let’s be honest, isn’t always easy to understand.

I love Balinese culture. Even if I don’t always get it, my deep respect and admiration for these traditions make Bali feel like home for my soul.

Thank you, Bali, for welcoming me!

Nyepi — The Day of Silence

But there’s one day a year when everyone, even tourists, has to experience Balinese traditions firsthand.

Nyepi is basically Bali’s New Year, but it’s not the kind of celebration you’d expect. The airport shuts down, businesses are closed, you can’t go outside, play music, or even turn on the lights.

Locals follow even stricter rules, but for foreigners, the main thing is simple — stay home and disconnect from the world for a full 24 hours.

Community guards (called pecalang) patrol the streets (and even the beaches!), making sure no one breaks the silence. If they catch someone wandering around, they’ll whistle and send them straight back home.

And let’s be real, it’s usually clueless tourists — locals wouldn’t dare step outside. No one wants to cross paths with demons.

Yep, demons.

According to Balinese belief, on Nyepi, spirits roam the island. If they see light or hear noise, they’ll be drawn to it. And trust me, that’s not something you want to mess with. So, you stay inside and pretend no one’s home.

It’s a full day for reflection, resetting, and just being with your thoughts. The entire island rests — nature, people, everything.

The Day Before Nyepi

To really get the vibe, I have to tell you about the day before Nyepi.

It’s the complete opposite — loud, chaotic, full of music and dancing. People parade massive, handmade demon statues (Ogoh-Ogoh) through the streets, representing negative energy. By the end of the night, they’re burned to symbolize cleansing.

Villagers spend months designing and building these sculptures. People gather, eat, drink, and prepare for performances.

This is something you rarely see in the Western world — Bali is all about strong communities, and you can feel it in the atmosphere. I’m always in awe of this island’s culture and traditions.

The energy during the parade is unreal. The music, the giant demons, the performances — it’s intense. Some locals even go into religious trances; I’ve seen people carried out of the crowd.

But once it’s all over, everyone rushes home — because at dawn, the demons come.

We left before the celebrations ended, but I was completely mesmerized by the energy of the night. The intensity of the experience, juxtaposed with the impending silence of Nyepi, made me crave a different kind of reset. I posted my impressions on Instagram, scrolled the internet a bit, and as I lay in bed, I decided — tomorrow, I’m doing a social media detox.

Nyepi & An Unexpected Plot Twist

I’ll be honest — first thing in the morning, my fingers were itching to check my socials. I had posted so much last night; I was sure there were messages, likes, and comments waiting for me.

But I resisted. Meditated (sort of — my mind kept wandering to my Instagram feed). Did my morning routine, all the while battling the nagging fear that I was missing out on something important. Told myself I wouldn’t be too strict — maybe just a little scrolling later. I mean, was I really going to punish myself with a whole day of no dopamine hits?

Also, I actually had work planned for Nyepi. My partner owns a boutique hotel, and it was fully booked. Since we didn’t want to bring in extra staff (Nyepi is way more important for them than for us), most of our team got the day off.

Only two employees were working, so we helped set up meals for guests — breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

And then, right as we were prepping breakfast, my partner stormed in, furious.

“No internet.”

Apparently, we had issues the night before, but it came back just before midnight. And now? Dead again.

And since it’s Nyepi, no one is coming to fix it. Whether it was the wind, monkeys chewing on cables, or some other Bali mystery — we were stuck.

In a fully booked hotel.

Honestly, there was nothing to do but accept it. Sure, we’d probably get some bad reviews. But today, nothing could be changed. I just felt bad for the guests — many were probably planning a chill day watching Netflix or catching up on work. Oops, sorry for the unexpected forced digital detox!

At least we had the best view — an oceanfront that beat any TV screen.

And for me? It was perfect. The universe had decided my social media detox wasn’t optional anymore. All my wavering self-control was irrelevant — this was an unavoidable situation. So, I gratefully embraced it.

The Silence

A day without the internet brought me simple joys.

I enjoyed my food. Read a book (fell asleep three times while reading). Sipped tea.

Most importantly, I started my new goal-setting journal. I even wrote down my intention to meditate for 15 minutes every morning. Wrote down my plans for the next few months. Organized my upcoming tasks for Monday.

Honestly, the Western world could use a Nyepi of its own.

It’s not just a reset for people — it’s a reset for nature, for our relationships with ourselves and others.

The internet has taken over our lives so much that we can’t take a single step without it. But sometimes, we just need to stop, turn inward, and disconnect. Nothing will happen if you go offline for a bit. In fact, it might be the best thing you can do for yourself.

Here are some tips for creating your own “Nyepi”:

• Schedule it: Treat it like an important appointment.
• Prepare Alternatives: Have books, journals, or outdoor activities ready.
• Communicate: Let friends and family know you’ll be offline.
• Start Small: If a full day feels daunting, begin with a few hours.

The day after Nyepi, I felt lighter, but also a bit disoriented, like re-emerging from a long dream. It was a stark reminder of how much mental energy I unconsciously devote to the digital world. Ready for new goals, new lessons, and a fresh start.

And I promised myself — I’ll create my own “Nyepi” days more often.

Because at the end of the day, it’s about self-love and growth, especially when it arrives through unexpected, uncomfortable moments. Perhaps we all need a little Nyepi in our lives, a reminder to disconnect and rediscover the world within.