8 Technology Approaches I Love, as a Long-Term Digital Minimalist

As a creative person, removing distractions feels essential.

Before owning a smartphone, I discovered and dove headfirst into a minimalism journey. In a small college dorm, I got overwhelmed by all my clothes and physical possessions and began the process of letting go.

As I became intentional with my things, I realized I could apply minimalism concepts to any area of my life.

For the past few years, I’ve been rethinking how I use technology.

Our tech tools should be supporting us, our work, creativity, and connections. But with endless possibilities, owning technology demands a high level of self-awareness.

Here’s how I’ve been creating a healthier, more productive tech relationship:

1. Remove the unnecessary

When I got my first smartphone and set up an email and social media, no one prepared me for the insane amount of incoming information. After realizing how overwhelmed and regularly distracted I felt, I began clearing out the noise.

I got very comfortable hitting “unsubscribe.” My email inbox has almost always been an essential part of working. The information there should be valuable to me. I felt tempted to abort my main email address and start over. Instead, I took baby steps, sometimes five minutes at a time to clean up. I discovered that only a few emails and subscriptions add value to me.

Switch off the notifications, especially the sound ones. At the moment I only have ring notifications turned on for phone calls. Unless I’m waiting for something specific, I keep the other alerts switched off.

Life is not an emergency, and most of the time, those notifications can wait. Also, research shows task switching can decrease your productivity by up to 40 percent.

2. Rethink social media

I recently discovered that most American adults (72%) are on social media, and most of those people log on every day. Though I’ve had my accounts set up for the past 14 years, I’m one step away from deleting them. I feel like it compromises my overall well-being.

Plus, a recent research study on Facebook use shows a clear negative impact on mental health and life satisfaction. While I used to find comfort in having thousands of online “friends,” it’s clear that digital connections rarely translate to high-quality in-person relationships.

Also, as a creator, I’ve noticed social media adds a sort of intensity with comparison metrics and the feeling of being “on display.”

For now, I’ve unfollowed every account on Instagram and unfriended over 2,000 people on Facebook. At the very least, I want to see which accounts or “friends” I actually miss. But mostly, I realized my mental health always comes first, before any marketing strategies or digital connections.

3. Set personal boundaries

Like most people, no one ever taught me about creating boundaries. As a sensitive and creative person, purposefully protecting my energy has been a game-changing journey.

For one, I’ve started using the “block” option more easily. It’s my digital experience; I get to make it as emotionally safe and delightful as possible.

Whenever I feel like I’m “over-using” something or overworking, I get curious. I’ve noticed keeping the evenings open for play or socializing has a positive impact on my well-being. Limiting the frequency of checking email or stats leads to more focus. Also, scheduling my day to honor energy levels rather than time management feels much better.

Having boundaries means turning inward to discover your limits and then changing your behaviors accordingly. They don’t work if you expect someone else to change or set limits for you.

4. “Follow” or “subscribe” selectively

I used to think connecting with someone digitally was always the “nice” thing to do. Clicking “follow” felt like an easy way to support or encourage another creator. But if I’m not genuinely invested in their journey and engaging with their content, then “subscribing” doesn’t seem so kind.

Michael Thompson, a popular writer on Medium, wrote about being highly selective with choosing other writers to follow. He looks for people who show consistent growth and creative expansion over time.

Michael inspired me to be more discerning, which has already paid off.

Now I feel less like I’m “behind” on consuming content and more engaged with the few people I still follow.

5. Use the tools you like

For a few years, I worked in tech UX. I worked with startups and then with corporate places like Google and Facebook. During that time I worked with designers, product managers, engineers, and other very tech-savvy people. Like most people, I got imposter syndrome. More specifically, I often felt embarrassed about my low-tech work style.

Living in the “tech bubble” of San Francisco, I’ve often felt pressured to adopt all the latest apps and gadgets.

But I’ve realized that my ego uses technical literacy as one more thing to feel inferior or superior about. With that awareness, I focus on using the tools I need and enjoy. Outside of that, I release unhelpful expectations.

6. Stop saying, “I suck at technology.”

I studied organizational communication and journalism in college. While I did learn a program for designing newspaper layouts, that was as complex as it got for my tech use.

Even when I worked at Google, I held the narrative that I was “bad at technology.” One day I casually mentioned that to one of my female friends, also a software engineer, and she helped me reset:

You’re not “bad at technology.” Using technology is just about learning one step at a time, and you’re good at learning.

Also, working in technology has given me a more holistic perspective on the tools I use. People make technology, and humans are imperfect.

Sometimes tech tools are confusing, unintuitive, and even glitchy. Now when I learn a new tool, I take my time and focus on how the product adds value. Rather than getting lost in self-doubt when something feels difficult to use, I consider maybe the tool itself kind of sucks.

7. Simplify applications

A few months ago, I deleted all the apps from my iPhone home screen. Courtney Carver, founder of “Be More with Less,” inspired me to try it out.

When you think about it, every visible application carries a multitude of possibilities. Like choosing what I subscribe to, being selective about which apps live on my iPhone or Macbook has notably given me more mental and emotional space.

Plus, the approaches I use to declutter physical things work well for digital spaces. For example, questions like “Does this spark joy?” “Does it support the life I want?” or “Why am I really holding onto this?” have been so helpful in deleting or discarding digital things.

8. Take regular digital breaks

Everywhere I go, I see people with their heads drooped, staring at their screens. I’ve also gotten into patterns of “checking” my phone numerous times throughout the day, sometimes without specific intent.

Since I care about getting great sleep, managing my stress levels, and increasing mindfulness, I’ve been exploring digital breaks.

• In the morning, I usually wait at least an hour to use my phone. That way, I have time to get grounded and start my day well.
• At night, I usually turn off screens at least an hour before bedtime. It helps my body know that it’s time to wind down.
• During the day, I regularly leave devices in another room when possible. Rather than being influenced by all possibilities of technology, I give myself the space to tune into my body.
• If I feel overwhelmed or anxious, taking a bath or walk without technology often helps.
• When it makes sense, I try to go tech-free for hours or days at a time. After the initial nervousness, I typically feel a distinct sense of lightness. My stress levels go down, and I have more capacity to be fully present.

Mary Gomes, Ph.D. and psychology professor, writes about the benefits of unplugging, like present moment awareness, improved sleep, deeper connections, and more productivity. Her research and teaching experiences show taking digital breaks supports our physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

While I feel grateful for the many ways technology improves my life (including things like sleep and period tracking apps), it has its limits.

Since I got a flip phone at 15 years old, my relationship with technology has felt bumpy. I’ve spent far too much time with social media and Netflix and carried unrealistic expectations about my technical literacy. I’ve also felt entirely overwhelmed by having unlimited options available at my fingertips.

As technology advances, being intentional will be even more critical.

But with regular reflection and healthy boundaries, I enjoy more focus, creativity, and presence. I’ve been regularly doing the work that matters most to me, and that feels like a win.

So have you made any tough choices about your tech usage lately? Did you have any surprising realizations? I’d love to know.

I write inspiring, uplifting, and empowering content on transformative topics. Join the Weekly Love News on my website to receive creative offerings each week (Tuesdays) in your email inbox.