Back in the day, the rising popularity of the internet was such a great news. It was revolutionary and and everyone wants to have a piece of it. But what's happening now seems alarming. Are we replacing real human interaction just by going into social media? Sure, it's really convenient to socialize online but that seems superficial if conversations do not lead to in-person meetups.
I crave the simplicity of being offline without the lure of the internet, however, that would be impossible since my livelihood depends on it.
So, here I am contemplating...
There's no denying the benefits of the internet, and I do enjoy learning new software tools (or apps, as what most people call it nowadays) and keeping up with the latest tech buzz. However, it also has its downsides. If you're not careful, you can end up wasting hours glued to your screen, wondering why you haven't been productive or worse, left feeling inadequate. Well, that's been my reality nowadays, and it's not something I'm proud to admit.
What is Digital Minimalism?
Digital minimalism as described by Cal Newport in his book "Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World is all about using digital devices and technology in a more intentional way. Instead of mindlessly scrolling through social media or getting lost in endless notifications, it encourages us to focus on what truly enhances our lives.
Why Become a Digital Minimalist?
After spending years mostly online, I realize that my negative feelings about the internet stem from being overly connected. Here are some of the things I've noticed..
1. Can't focus
It’s hard to focus on one thing for a long time. Before the internet, I loved reading long novels. Now, with more to do and less time, my smartphone keeps me constantly checking and scrolling, even when there's nothing new.
2. Causes stress and anxiety
It makes me feel pressured to respond quickly and stay updated, which causes me to be stressed and anxious.
3. Messes up sleep patterns
Too much screen time, especially before bed, messes up my sleep patterns and quality. To be honest, I've lost count of how many times I've tried to reset my body clock.
4. Unproductive
It messes up my workflow and makes me less productive overall. Yeah, duh!
5. Hard to connect with others
- It is harder to connect with others in person and have meaningful conversations and I’m so guilty of it.
6. Can't help but compare
It can sometimes make me feel inadequate, lonely, and depressed. I can’t help but sometimes compare my life with others. I have thoughts like, “why do they have such perfect lives and I don’t?”
7. Causes unhealthy habits
My eyes can get tired, and make me sit around too much, which totally isn't good for my health.
8. Causes paranoia
I get paranoid when I reveal too much on my social media pages. I get paranoid that my data might be stolen, I might be attacked online, or my personal information might be exposed.
9. Can't think clearly
There are moments when I feel bombarded with too much information that I consume and it makes it hard for me to think clearly and remember important things.
10. Causes overstimulation
I stopped craving being creative because I’m always being overstimulated by my devices.
We do everything electronically now and we all seem to never get a break. I felt it's adverse effects and I'm pretty sure you did too. If you have seen the documentary on Netflix called, The Social Dilemma, you'll realize how much our digital lives control us. Our internet enabled devices keep us distracted.
So how do we turn these negative effects into positive ones?
How to balance life in a world of over-connectivity
Since I haven't bought the book, I opted into listening to one of Cal Newport's podcast guestings instead and here are the practical strategies that I learned...
1. Identify your core values
Identify your core values and priorities that technology should support in your life. What are the tools that align with those values and what are those that you should discard?
2. Declutter for 30 days
Have a 30-day digital declutter. As Cal pointed out, only those optional apps are the ones you should disconnect for a while. After 30 days, ask yourself whether those tools are helpful for you then bring each one back into your life.
3. Limit online activities
Limit your use of social media, checking emails and messages by setting specific times and stick to them instead of constantly checking on them.
4. Reflect and rediscover quality hobbies
Rediscover your hobbies like reading, painting, or playing music and spend time alone without digital distractions so you can reflect and recharge.
5. Be intentional on using technology.
There should be clear guidelines for this and try to choose high-quality content like documentaries, over quick shallow media like Tiktok dances.
6. Nurture your relationships offline
Nurture your relationships by making sure you set some meetup dates just for catching up, and if you plan to have a social gatherings, set the rules to having no tech distractions.
7. Plan and schedule your daily activities
Take advantage of having a clear schedule for work to reduce the need for constant stimulation from the internet, and don't forget to take breaks.
8. Be mindful, guard your attention
Last on the list is to be mindful of how digital platforms aim to capture your attention and take control of your habits. Cal says to always guard your attention.
As per taking one of the strategies, I recently started minimizing the use of my phone. Now, I only use it for online groceries, online banking when I’m at home, and transportation bookings when I'm out. I try to leave my phone on my work desk at bedtime (I work from home) and allow myself to naturally fall asleep after reading a book. I do feel a little better doing those things and I’m determined to continue.
The Bottomline
I can't blame everything on the internet, but I do think it has a huge impact on everyone's life. Whether you enjoy using the internet or not, finding the right balance is essential. That's why I strive to be a digital minimalist to have a sense of control over my life.
The internet is actually neutral, neither entirely good nor bad. At the end of the day, it all comes down to how you use it. It should be a tool to support us, not something that controls our daily lives.
I'm currently on a journey to balancing my digital life while being present in real life. With the help of digital minimalism strategies, I know I'm heading the path towards the kind of life I want to have - the one that is more focused regardless of how noisy the world seems.
Did you also feel the negative effects from constant connectivity?
Photo by Marisa Buhr Mizunaka on Unsplash
0 Comments