Minimalism: Digital Detox

What’s the first thing you do when you get up in the morning? What’s the last thing you do before you go to sleep at night? What do you do when your mind wanders, when you’re waiting in line, and even when you’re in the middle of something else, like a tv show or a conversation? If you’re anything like me and you’re being honest with yourself, I bet you’re on your cell phone.

With how much technology has advanced in recent years, the digital world has really taken over our lives. Technology can be useful and valuable in your life, but it can also be harmful. Studies have shown that social media has an effect on us much like smoking. There are adverse mental and physical side effects like stress, cognitive overload, fatigue, and emotional preoccupation. Still, social media keeps us connected to those we love and apps consolidate the need for a calculator, GPS, dictionary, and music device. Technology is a tool, much like a fire: if used the wrong way, it can be dangerous, but if used in the right context, it can be amazing.

So how do you find the balance? The key is to set boundaries for yourself. Understand the negative consequences and develop strategies to help mitigate them. Maybe you need to set a rule for yourself about where you can use your phone. Maybe don’t bring your phone to the bed or the dinner table. I know someone who only uses his phone at his charging station while at home. Then instead of bringing your phone out every time you have a free second, maybe read a book. I almost always have a book with me, and you’d be surprised how much reading you could get done if you spent as much time in a book as you did on a screen. Or, just allow yourself to be bored. Embrace the silence. Some of the best ideas come out that way. But if you are constantly feeding useless information into your brain, there is no time to dwell and ponder and figure out your own thoughts and emotions.

Technology is still good when used properly, so try to make your time on your phone or computer more efficient. Delete apps you don’t use anymore, unsubscribe from emails you always delete without reading. Clean out your friends list so the people you do follow add value into your life. Another important thing many minimalists do is clean out what pages they like so the advertisements on their feed are reduced. You’d be surprised how many ads we see per day without even realizing it. You may find them annoying, but they may also be working subconsciously. Either way, detox those ads to save yourself time, money, and attention. I don’t keep games on my phone and some people don’t have social media apps readily available on their phones. I just really try to limit my social media scrolling, especially when I’m hanging out with people. Don’t let your online “relationships” overshadow your in-person relationships. 

One of the main excuses people have for using social media is that they’re afraid they’re going to miss something. But think logically about that for a second. I unfollowed every political page I was following and I still get the gist. If my close friends or family have big news, they will text or call or tell me in person. I will not find out via Facebook. And would it really be the worst thing in the world if we didn’t know the latest celebrity faux pas the second it happened? We like to keep a constant stream of information, but most of it is useless. Instead, limit your screen time and create a screen environment that is actually valuable to you when you are on your phone.