How digital minimalism is positively affecting my life
Over three months ago, inspired by Cal Newport’s book, Digital Minimalism, I started a digital declutter - reducing my easy access to time-consuming applications and infinity pools of content. My goal at the time was to break the common habit of filling time looking at my digital devices for 30 days. Three months later, I am pleased to say that I have moved from a 30 day digital fast to a minimalistic digital lifestyle. I am still living life without adding back much technology into my life.
What was the Digital Declutter Process?
I detailed the process I went through in a previous post. I focused on my phone, which because if it’s mobility and proximity to me at all times, was the most significant time sink for me. However, I also applied the same process to my iPad in a more limited fashion.
I deleted all social media from my phone - which was easy and obvious. I also removed digital communications programs, including WhatsApp, Skype, and Slack. I removed content from the apps I did keep. Purging Overcast of all but the essential podcasts was a big purge! And finally, I deleted all email from my phone! Instead, I scheduled a time for checking email, Slack, news, etc. on my computer.
My results from the first 30 days:
The first 30 days of any new behaviour is always the toughest, and the digital declutter was no exception. I found myself reaching for my iPhone often, only to realize that there was nothing new to look at with the content streams deleted. I really missed checking email, and that took some getting used to.
After the first week or two, I found myself looking for my phone when I wanted to use it - I was putting it down and leaving it. This behaviour was an exciting development! Over time I became much less distracted by my phone. And, I resisted the temptation to replace browsing my phone with surfing on other devices. I kept my laptop in my bag or attached to my monitor at my standing desk. I kept my iPad in landscape mode with the Apple Keyboard attached. And I deleted social media apps from that device too.
Most surprising of all, was that by paring down my podcast feed, I reached Podcast Zero. You have probably heard of Merlin Mann’s Inbox Zero philosophy which uses GTDto eliminate anything in your email inbox. I achieved that with my podcasts - which was the first time I didn’t have anything in my playlist for many years. Podcast Zero was a small, but significant achievement.
What happened after 30 days?
At some point, a couple of weeks after the month of the digital declutter, I realized how long it had been. I permitted myself to add back things that were important to me. I didn’t. At all!
I decided to continue life as a digital minimalist. I went one further and followed the advice of Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky in /Make Time/ and made my phone further distraction-free. I rearranged the applications that I had on my phone to add even more inconvenience to opening them. My phone (and iPad) home screens are blank. If I want to look up any content, surf the web, or even check the news, I have to scroll and navigate over several screens. The extra work is a surprisingly good reminder to be mindful of whatever task I was planning on doing. And a phone with a blank screen is a beautiful, uncluttered object of beauty.
Living with a distraction-free phone
Before I started this experiment, I did not see how I could live life without the core-functionality of the telephone - communication. However, I now realize that much of the communication I receive is noise and not meaningful and personal. I have the luxury of not being in a position where someone could die if I don’t answer an email, or a customer to go to a competitor because I didn’t respond at 3 am. And should anyone want to get hold of me, I am available by text or telephone.
Surprisingly, not many people feel that their communication is urgent enough to reach out to me that way. Some do, but most are okay with a response during my scheduled email time.
I have reduced my reliance, connection, and even interest in my phone. Writing this a week after the latest fall iPhone announcement, I am surprisingly not tempted by the new phones, except as a better camera. I am an Apple fan-boy, drooling over the technical specifications and improvements in new hardware. It’s a new behaviour and interesting.
My phone is around as I write this. I haven’t checked it yet today. And until I start my daily commute and will set up a podcast to listen to, I am unlikely to pick it up. What an improvement over starting my day worried about what has happened with my social media tribe.
What about you?
I have a level of peace in my life without easy access to infinity pools of content on my phone. The spaces in my life allow me to breathe, to feel bored, and to be creative. I have observed the behaviour of others, necks bent, looking at their devices, as I daydream, and troubleshoot, and take a moment to enjoy life.
I strongly recommend everyone that has had a smartphone for five years or more do a 30-day digital detox. To break the habit that smartphones have become. And to find space in their lives. Like me, once you realize that you can live without a constant stream of content, you can find new ways to fill your time productively or enjoy the space to dream.