We live in an era where your digital life is more immersive than your physical life. You have apps on your smartphone, smart watch, Meta glasses and so on. The next thing you know you are becoming a humanoid robot and there is no way to get out of the system. Sometimes you wonder if there is a way to declutter all of this and live a simple yet amazing life.
Before we dive into that, the main thing to remember is that you are not missing out on anything. The world is huge and no matter what you can’t touch everything, so let go of the FOMO feeling as soon as you can and your life will be significantly better.
In fact, this feeling can help you declutter your digital life to make sense of it and live the best version possible.
Carry Only A Smartphone
I assure you no matter what the other devices offer, it’s not worth it and can often be delayed or offered by your smartphone.
For example, your smartwatch counts your calories right? Do it once and then do the same exercise – the calories burned will be same, whether your watch captures it or not. And while exercising, carry nothing except a towel and water bottle.
A smartphone is the exception because every bill, note and call is needed – so this is the only device you should use.
However, the important caveat is to uninstall all the entertainment apps on your phone. Your YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, etc. won’t put you in trouble if you don’t check them.
Go now, open your smartphone’s usages stats – uninstall all the things which consume your time that are entertainment and see the magic of using a smartphone, instead of a smartphone using you.
Have A Dedicated Time Off
When you are home, put aside even your smartphone and spend time journaling, exercising, and spending time with family members. There is no emergency that needs you – your family members are with you.
If someone far away needs you, it’s only for information, you can’t go and help someone far away anyway.
Put it down, switch it off – and you’ll find it doesn’t matter. If you get bored, meditate and sleep. In addition, you can put rules in place for during the day time too – no smartphone while talking, lunch and dinner.
The key culprit is the constant notifications that urge you to pick up the smartphone and then you go into a spiral. Switch off all notifications. Check your smartphone with intent like calling a friend, noting something down, etc. No notifications and no entertainment or game apps means you do what you want and then the smartphone goes back in your pocket.
Furthermore, stop carrying your charger or power bank. This will push you to be more mindful of your smartphone consumption.
Here are a couple ideas to further help you on your journey to declutter your digital life.
Enroll in an Activity
This can be as simple as cooking or painting or something rigorous like rock climbing. The idea is that this way you will be in the moment and for that 3 hours everyday, you will be digitally free.
Also, this is a great way to meet new people and make lasting friendships or companionship.
Find Physical Replacement
Love writing? Write by hand. Love animating? Try by hand. This isn’t going backwards. This serves two purposes, doing something by hand forces you to be mindful and helps your creative juices.
Once, it’s done, you can then transfer them to the app where it may need finishing. Either way, this is more immersive for you and helps you creatively too.
Slow Instead of Hustle
We live in a hustle culture but slow is the main theme which will benefit you. In people suffering from anxiety, their mind shuffles and rushes, slowing it helps them calm.
This applies to you too. You need to calm down and remember it’s okay to do things slowly. This is a philosophical shift, which won’t happen immediately, but with practicing it, this will become your way of life.
Going for a walk? Try walking at different speeds including very slowly. Try speaking slowly but with clarity. Try feeling the paint with each stroke while you paint.
Slow down to immerse yourself and get more out of your creative life too.
Meditate
This is hard. The principle is simple, our minds are constantly rushing, probably because of the stimulation from our digital life, producing dopamine at a higher rate.
Here is a simple meditation that works. Every night, after eating, sit down and close your eyes. Let thoughts come to your mind and resolve them or let it go, until only one thought or nothing remains.
Either you reach there or get bored – both are excellent outcomes. Bonus, this will help you sleep well too.
Conclusion
In today’s world, escaping digital life isn’t easy but you have to start somewhere. If you take away anything, here is the main point. You live life around a principle.
Choose your principle as slow, with intention and letting go of the FOMO. It’s going to be alright.
***
About the Author: Rohan Bhardwaj has been on the internet as a cheerleader, thinker and creator. He shares his learnings and also from others on how to do anything on the Internet. He blogs at The Internet Playbook and his definitive book on Internet is called ‘This is Internet’.