Digital Minimalism

We live in a world where accessing the internet has moved from our desks to our pockets. Unlimited access to information is at our fingertips, and we often find ourselves mindlessly scrolling through social media feeds. While technology isn’t necessarily good or evil, it can be helpful to take time away from the screen, look up from our phones, connect with someone face-to-face, and enjoy our surroundings.

We are all social creatures and it’s important to connect with others and build relationships. Social media often creates fake social situations. A “like” or “comment” on a friend’s post is clearly different than having a conversation with someone over the phone or in person. Easier is not always better. While viewing someone’s Instagram or Facebook post is fairly easy, the social benefits it has for either party are often minimal. It can be difficult to have a relationship with someone when the interactions are reduced to solely the digital world.

Think about the places where you’ve been without cell service. At first, it can be frustrating and stressful, but new opportunities can arise from not leaning on your phone as a crutch. One of my favorite parts of camping is being disconnected from the digital world and more connected to the outside world. Cal Newport, a computer science professor at Georgetown University, discusses our interactions and dependencies with technology in his book, Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World. He describes digital minimalism as using “technology as a tool to access things you value, not a source of value itself.” With digital minimalism, you’re able to embrace moments of solitude and the opportunity to disconnect.

Digital minimalism is not about deprivation; instead, the philosophy is about focusing on things that bring your life value and joy. It can be easy to fall into smart phone addiction. Sometimes these tools create more stress and we are distracted by our dependency to the digital world. Try to use technology with more intention and purpose.

Another approach is to see how you spend your online time, pick a small number of activities that bring value to your life, and declutter yourself from optional technologies. Don’t worry about FOMO! Instead, happily miss out on everything else and choose to embrace activities outside of the digital world.

Pursuing digital minimalism also involves being deliberate with your leisure time. Reflect on if you’re filling your free time with low-quality obsessions where you’re wondering where time has gone or high-quality hobbies that have lasting fulfillment. This revolves around meaningful use of your personal time.

With digital minimalism, you can even consider a period of abstinence from the digital world, followed by selective re-introduction of the digital tools that bring value into your life. Set clear “online hours” and enjoy being “offline.” Try not to immediately respond to every ding or buzz and take a more active role in your interactions with the digital world!