(#100 Days to Offload, Day 2)

I have been trying to better navigate my relationship with technology. It feels like a silly concern - I'm an adult, I should just be able to make sensible choices. But I am not always sure where the lines are between technologies being intentionally addictive, craving escapism as a way to avoid my problems, and just needing better habits. Probably a combination of the three.

Regardless, I notice the craving for distraction in myself. Every moment I'm distracted, is a moment I'm not fully present in my life. That's not to say that all distraction or escapism is bad, but I want it to be conscious and intentional, not compulsive or accidental.

I would love to take some sort of dramatic, symbolic action, throw my phone off a cliff and embark on a picturesque, romanticized lifestyle. But that's just not real. I have a house, pets, family, all the responsibilities. I just need to be better at managing it all.

For information and inspiration, I have read Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport, How to Break up With Your Phone by Catherine Price, and Do Nothing by Celeste Headlee, all of which are helpful and I recommend them. I appreciate the perspective and information about the addictive manipulation built into apps and websites, and strategies for simplifying.

Regarding phones, I make minimal use of social media in general and don't have any social media on my phone. But I do have periodically check email on my phone, along with having a look at the headlines on a news site. It's a sort of stress compulsion I think, to check to see if anything dreadful has happened since the last time I looked, which is why I'm trying to change that habit. It helps when the news is boring.

In order to use the phone less, I like to use single-function and low-distraction devices when I can, such as the Supernote tablet for blogging and writing, my old iPod Classic with a portable speaker for music, and good old-fashioned paper notebooks and fountain pens for planning, lists and some of my journaling. I also turn off the internet a fair amount of the time. And I like to use simple software for writing when I do use my computer - a simple text editor (GEdit lately), and Zim Wiki. I'd like to try using terminal based programs where I can on the computer, to reduce visual clutter and overstimulation. But that will take some research and practice, so no promises.

I make heavy use of the Night Light feature in Ubuntu and on my phone. My eyes are sensitive, and harsh blue light really bothers me. I keep the lights in my house a warm tone too, which is more calming. that's why I have these little orange pumpkin silicone night lights. Biologically speaking, we should all just have firelight after dark, so that's the light spectrum I aim for at night.

It's all just trying to find a way to use the advantages of modern technology, without whacking out my nervous system. That should be easy peasy, right?

Well, it's an ongoing pursuit.

Sad pumpkin squishy silicone night light