An Introduction to Digital Minimalism

A Possible Solution to Technology Burnout

We’re officially in the thick of the digital age. Screens dominate many of our waking hours, with notifications demanding constant attention. There’s an app for everything, from dating to exercising to stalking your ex (figuratively speaking, of course. Don’t do that). Everywhere you go, technology is blooming.

It can be a wonderful thing until it isn’t. In the age of convenience and simplicity, life has never been so complicated.

Our attention spans are shorter. We’ve become desensitized. Information overload, for many of us, is our new resting state.

So how do we remedy the negative effects of such a dominant industry? Should we quit social media? Trade our smartphones for flip phones? Move out of the city and into a cottage in the forest? Renounce digital communication?

No, not necessarily (though some of these might work very well for a select few). As many of you know, the problem isn’t technology itself, but how we’re using it.

What is Digital Minimalism?

Digital minimalism is a lifestyle approach that works to change the way we use technology. It promotes mindful and intentional use of digital technology in our everyday lives, and it aims to get rid of the unnecessary “clutter” that comes with it.

It was popularized by author Cal Newport in his book, Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World.

Digital minimalism (like regular minimalism) has many key principles. I’ve summarized them into what I consider to be the main two:

• Intentionality (and Mindfulness) — The first step to eliminating unnecessary digital noise is to identify it. We do this by taking a mindful and intentional approach to technology in order to weed out the things that aren’t serving us. It’s similar to cleaning out physical clutter (if you haven’t used that teapot in years, maybe it’s time to let it go. The same can be said for apps that serve more as distractions than anything else). When you use an app, website, or feature, are you being intentional about it? Or do you find yourself mindlessly scrolling?
• Quality over Quantity — It’s not about how many things your phone (or laptop, tablet, etc.) can do, it’s about the quality of those abilities. Which features of your device actually enhance your life, and which features might be limiting you? Which ones might you be happier without? This also applies to digital interactions. Prioritize the ones that add to your life, and don’t be afraid to cut out the ones that aren’t helpful.

Negative Effects of Digital “Clutter”

If you sat down with a pen and paper and asked yourself how technology has made you feel worse (about yourself, the world, or just in general), I’m sure you could come up with an impressive list. You could probably even write an article about it — all on your own, no research required.

Most of us, after all, have plenty of firsthand experience.

The negative effects of digital clutter are extensive. From psychological to financial and social consequences, there’s no area of our lives that remains untouched by the digital age.

Specific negative effects can include the following.

• Physical effects such as eye strain, fatigue, and sleep disruption.
• Mental effects such as shortened attention span, decreased ability to focus, and lower satisfaction with oneself.
• Social effects such as isolation, loneliness, and a decline in social skills.
• E waste, financial and privacy concerns, and more.

Benefits of Cutting Out the “Noise”

As with regular minimalism, cutting out unnecessary items (or distractions) leads you to develop a greater appreciation for the things you do have. It isn’t about cutting out as many things as possible, but rather about learning which things you really need.

The benefits are extensive. Many of them are remedies for the negative effects of digital overload mentioned in the previous section. If you practice digital minimalism effectively, you’re likely to see an increase in productivity, attention, concentration, and energy.

There are plenty of less obvious benefits, too, including enhanced creativity and better self-control. When you’re intentional about your technology use, it’s much easier to find a work-life balance.

Where to Start

Of course all of this sounds nice in theory, but how do you actually get there? Surely, like any effective process, it doesn’t happen overnight. How much work do you have to put in, and when do you start noticing positive changes?

I’m far from an expert, but (according to the research I’ve done), there are a few simple steps that can pave the way.

1. Identify Your Values — What do you want to get out of your use of technology? Do you want to use your laptop just for work, or are you hoping to find a more mindful way to entertain yourself? What does your phone provide that you can’t live without? In order to understand what you need, you have to identify what you value.
2. Audit Your Digital Life — Go through your apps, bookmarks, accounts, etc. Identify the purpose of each one, and rank them by importance. Where do you find yourself losing the most time? Which apps do you want to delete, and which ones are you going to use more intentionally? Now that you have your values, identify which areas of your digital life are serving them.
3. Establish Digital Boundaries — Set boundaries for yourself around digital technology use. Establish tech-free zones and times, and set time limits for certain apps and websites. You can even implement a schedule for checking your email. The important thing is to be in-control of your digital habits. If you tend to get carried away on certain apps, you might set stricter boundaries around them.
4. Embrace Boredom — No matter how motivated you are at the beginning, you will find yourself getting bored. It might happen while you’re eating dinner (if you’re used to watching Netflix while doing so), or while waiting in line to order at a restaurant (Instagram sure looks tempting, doesn’t it?). The important thing here is not to feel bad for being bored, but to embrace the feeling. It’s uncomfortable at first. You might feel under-stimulated and antsy. But the uncomfortable place is where you grow, and your creativity will soon learn to thrive off of boredom.
5. Explore New Ways to Do Things — There are plenty of analog (non-digital) activities that you can use to replace your digital activities. Personally, I prefer physical books to eBooks (even though they take up much more room). I find myself feeling more satisfied when reading from paper. The same can be said of writing poetry. I tend to feel more creative and less intimidated when I’m writing with a pen or pencil. Digital technology certainly has its place, but some activities are perfectly fine without the use of screens.
6. Try a Digital Detox — Not everyone likes this step, but I find it helpful to do when you’re starting out. Taking a digital detox (a break from digital technology) helps you to identify what’s really important. It’s much easier to see which features you use and value the most when you’re forced to go without them.
7. Reflect and Adjust — As with almost any process, there will be trial and error. Make sure you’re taking time to periodically reflect on what’s working and what isn’t. You can adjust your habits accordingly.

Concluding Thoughts

Digital minimalism is something I’ve been experimenting with for a little bit, and I’ve found it quite helpful in restoring my work-life balance. I hope this information helps you as much as it helped me.

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