“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” —Anne Lamott
Technology has some wonderful benefits. I use it almost every day. And I would never, ever argue against the responsible use of it.
However, that being said, it is becoming increasingly obvious that our world is developing an unhealthy attachment to it. Addiction to our technology and overall cell phone addiction is becoming too common:
- 84% of cell phone users claim they could not go a single day without their device. (source)
- 67% of cell phone owners check their phone for messages, alerts, or calls — even when they don’t notice their phone ringing or vibrating. (source)
- Studies indicate some mobile device owners check their devices every 6.5 minutes. (source)
- 88% of U.S. consumers use mobile devices as a second screen even while watching television. (source)
- Almost half of cell owners have slept with their phone next to their bed because they wanted to make sure they didn’t miss any calls. (source)
- Traditional TV viewing eats up over six days (144 hours, 54 minutes) worth of time per month. (source)
- Some researchers have begun labeling “cell phone checking” as the new yawn because of its contagious nature. (source)
But we don’t need statistics to tell us we are addicted to our technology. We already know this to be true—which is probably why this powerful video has received over 13,000,000 views in less than six days (and over 51.7 million as of September 2019).
But we need to be reminded again and again: Technology addiction is powerful but it does have a power-off button. And the wisest of us know when to use it and when to take a more minimalist approach to our technology.
Consider again, just some of these important reasons to unplug:
1. Powering-down helps remove unhealthy feelings of jealousy, envy, and loneliness.
Researchers discovered something frightening about Facebook addiction: one in three people felt worse after visiting Facebook and more dissatisfied with their lives.
Certainly, not every interaction with Facebook is a negative one. But typically, our own experience validates their research. From family happiness to body image to vacation destinations to the silly number of birthday greetings on a Facebook wall, the opportunity for envy presents itself often on social media.
Powering-down for a period of time provides an opportunity to reset and refocus appreciation and gratitude for the lives we have been given. It allows us to remember how to be happy without all the screens.
2. Powering-down combats the fear of missing out.
Scientifically speaking, the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) has been recognized as a recently emerging psychological disorder brought on by the massive increase in technology addiction.
The premise is simple. Our social media streams are ever-filled with everything happening all around us. Nowadays, we even see the plates of food our friends are enjoying. And within this constant stream of notification, our fear of being left out continues to grow.
Turning off social media and learning how to live in the moment are both important skills in this modern world.
3. Solitude is harder to find in an always-connected world.
Solitude grounds us to the world around us. It provides the stillness and quiet required to evaluate our lives and reflect on the message in our hearts.
In a world where outside noise is coming quicker and louder than ever, the need for solitude becomes more apparent… and easier to overlook. True solitude and meditation will always require the intentional action of shutting off the noise and the screens.
4. Life, at its best, is happening right in front of you.
Our world may be changing, but the true nature of life is not. Life, at its best, is happening right in front of you. These experiences will never repeat themselves. These conversations are unfiltered and authentic. And the love is real. But if we are too busy staring down at our screen, we’re gonna miss all of it.
5. Powering-down promotes creation overconsumption.
Essentially, most of our time is spent in one of two categories: consuming or creating. Certainly, technology can contribute to creating.
For example, this article was written (created) on a computer. But most of the time we spend in front of technology is spent consuming (playing video games, browsing the Internet, watching movies, listening to music).
Our world doesn’t need more consuming. It needs more creating. It needs your passion, your solution, and your unique contribution. Power-down. And begin contributing to a better world because of it.
6. Technology addiction can only be understood when the object is taken away.
Through a recent technological fast, I learned something about myself. I learned I am far more addicted to technology than I would have guessed.
But that is the nature of addiction, isn’t it? We can never fully realize our level of addiction until the item is taken away.
The only way to truly discover technology’s controlling influence on your life is to turn it off, walk away, and sense how strong the pull is to turn it back on.
7. Life is still about flesh, blood, and eye contact.
There are valuable resources online to help us grow and evolve. I have been enriched by the connections I have made and the friends I have met. But no matter how much I interact with others through the miracle of technology, there is something entirely unique and fantastic about meeting face-to-face.
The experience of looking at another person in the eye without the filter of a screen changes everything. Each time, I am reminded that life’s most fulfilling relationships are the ones in the world right in front of me. And spending too much time looking away from them does a great disadvantage to my soul and theirs.
How then, in our ever-connected world, might we take appropriate steps to find balance and intentionality in our approach to unplugging?
If you need help getting started, try one or more of these helpful tips to unplug and find space:
• Choose to start your day elsewhere.
Henry Ward Beecher once said, “The first hour is the rudder of the day.” Spend it wisely. Commit to not turning on technology during your first waking hour. After all, the world ran just fine without you for the previous 7-8 hours, one more won’t hurt.
Blocking out that one hour to focus on meditation or your upcoming day will help you wisely shape the other 23.
• Power-down for one period of time each day.
Choose a specific period of the day to intentionally power-down. As mentioned above, this may be the first hour of the day. Or maybe the last hour of the day works better for you… or maybe lunch, dinner, or the hours just before your kids go to bed. The specific time of the day is not important.
What is important is the discipline of learning when and how to power-down. Choose something that works for your specific lifestyle and stick to it at all costs.
• Better manage the time-wasters.
There are a number of Internet tools that can help you better manage your time online.
Freedom will disable your entire Internet connection for a time period set by you.
Selfcontrol will allow you to block access to uniquely specified websites (for example: Facebook, Gmail, Twitter, your favorite blog) for a period of time, but still have access to the rest of the web. Perfect for combating Facebook addiction.
• Take one extended break on a regular basis.
I have found great value in choosing 40 days each year to power-down unnecessary apps (leaving only phone and text privileges on my phone). And I have completed the exercise each of the last two years.
It has taught me about technology, relationships, and myself. Whether it be for one weekend, one week, or 40 days, there is great value in taking an intentional extended break from technology. Pick something. And get started right away on digital minimalism. Your life is waiting.
Learning to power-down technology is an important life skill with numerous benefits. It is becoming a lost art in our ever-connected world.
But the wisest of us take time to learn the discipline. And live fuller lives because of it.
giving up the internet is just u trying to see the world in a different light. You will be able to see the world through your eyes and judge it for yourself. But if you see it all through the internet then you are seeing it from everyone else point of view and not your own.
talking a walk in nature
No phone at Dinner table or when having a conversation with anyone. When talking to my husband I ask him to look at me not the phone and we have a conversation. To be present and give your energy to the person is so important and should be valued
I keep my cell phone on my nightstand at night, as I might have to use it for emergencies.
Great article which I hadn’t read before today. After the first of this year, I decided to give up Facebook for 40 days as it was getting much too distracting for me. I was dealing with some health issues and wanted to really focus on healing. I had no problem filling my time up by reading good quality Christian books on my Kindle or borrowing books to read from my pastor son-in-law’s library, reading my Bible, doing devotions, listening to Christian podcasts, sermons, and good quality Christian music, going through old photos, doing some genealogy work, taking walks in nature, etc. Although I went back to reading some Facebook posts especially those about my children and grandchildren, I found setting a timer for a short time each day limiting the amount of time I spend on it has worked very well.
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The only reason I get on Fb is to read your page. Where else can I get to your page?
Lee Ann Kelly – Oh I see….Damn FB…couldn’t get enough likes for myself in years and now got a kicked to get some more privacy. Too much for the whitenights, I have decided to get less worries and stay on some few other sites – Twitter and Pinterest – have more to offer quite interesting for the same things and less fuss about how and who can use it. but have you ever tried to go to Joshua URL and key in minimalist and see what’s coming up as you browse.
I have some knowledge about this(I already know that) but after reading your article I think, I have to gain more knowledge about this topic. Thanks!
This is a very amazing.
After watching hours of webinars and sitting through Google Meet/Zoom meetings during COVID, I have unplugged more and more and feel so much better. I also do all of my college work on the computer (as well as a lot of work related things), so I am at a computer frequently. I bought a tablet last year and never installed messenger on it (Facebook is only accessed through Google not the app). I removed the FB app from view on my phone and only access it through Google as well. I shut phone notifications off at 8 p.m. or when I go to bed and do not have my phone near me after 8 (unless I am expecting something). Those that need me most can contact me via house phone. I do not miss being connected so much and realized how much time I was wasting on meaningless internet searches.
I have found my creativity bug again and have been crafting more and spending more time reading. I even have timers set on many devices and only add more time if it is necessary. It is definitely freeing to get back to basics.
This is an excellent article! It is exactly what I needed to read today because taking a tech break is what I need to do! And this puts it into perspective.
thanks alot of information
No offense, but I find it remarkable that, on a website about “minimalism”, there doesn’t seem to be a mention anywhere about what you promise NOT to do with my email address once I “surrender” it to you. (ostensibly ONLY for the purpose of commenting… or receiving your free book)
One of the best article about unpluging I ‘ve read since beginning of summer . Hearing the word “unplug” itself is horrifying to my sons’ ears. 24/7 . Taking breaks and powering down are helpful suggestions but morning checking in online is quite harder to do. I don’t think I got a day through without Internet since I got my phone and online.
Like this idea. Do Not have e-tool by bedside…I leave my cell in my bag or downstairs, as much as possible, because I feel more relaxed in a tranquil place. Hard to believe, but electronic in bedroom, can be disturbing like TV. I still use an alarm unfortunately to wake me up. But that is the only reason. Thanks, great post, Joshua.
This is making sense to me. “Better manage the time-wasters – There are a number of Internet tools that can help you better manage your time online.” I have found myself being systematically about 1 hour everytimg I turn on. Now, I time myself and budget my time online. Like, I tell myself ” I have this to do online”, “it is going or should take me 1 hour”, and ” I WILL be done with this in 1 hour no more and no lesser”. Giving the flexibility, I usually give myself 2 hours like doing homework, in addition to other stuffs on the side, not linked to online. It has worked very well for me.
Does this have to be a right or wrong as the answer to : why we choose minimalism as part of life? Your blog seems to tell us that that’s where the answer is. Addiction is another sensitive topic to approach since there is a whole issue around how sugar is also an addiction and it doesn’t have to kill people.
i find you blog helpful. continue to do your passion. your helping us a lot. thank you so much and more power.
I am sick and tired of the takeover of our consciousness through technology and large corporations. Today, my husband and I have decided to cut internet. It has become a vile, devil’s highway, with so much hate. So we are not buying into what the new world wants us to buy into…….cell phones, amazon, online shopping and most of all, no more consume, consumer, consume.
Wow. You never use it to check the weather?
your article was very inspiring. I have to say thank you from me and my wife
Great article. And True! In 2012 our long loved family vacation home was destroyed by hurricane Sandy in 2012. A year and a half later our home was reconstructed. with minimal funding we set ourselves up with the bare necessities, we have our home and that is what mattered. This included no cable service and no land phone and yes no internet.
Quickly I realized this was the best thing that happened to our family of five. We began to be a closer as a family, we conversed with each other, we spent time volunteering, exploring, and lending a hand to help others. This has taught us all a valuable lesson in life.
Now back home we have implemented the same values maybe not to such the extreme due to the necessitates in our daily life. However, we all agreed that our goal is to live a enriched life of simple pleasures everyday.
Great article that succinctly puts this whole concept about making our lives simpler into perspective.
I’m much obliged.
Plan to spend my 10days of vacation unplugged. Did it before in short scale . Gonna do it again ????????????????????????I’m so grateful to you. Good article.
The technology is easier for us to carry out daily activities a day, the simplest example of all the information provided is kept up constantly update our grasp without any effort in finding the information we want .rekomendasi if your smartphone is damaged displayverzekering.nl thanks for sharing.
This is an excellent article! I really liked the statistics you had. It puts everything into perspective of how we really do dedicate a large piece of our lives to technology. I have 3 reasons myself as to why disconnecting improves my life greatly. You can check them out here https://sandjayhammocks.com/blogs/news/3-ways-unplugging-from-technology-can-benefit-your-life
Thanks for this great info. Very valuable.
FYI, I cited you on a blog post. http://connieb.com/taking-time-to-unplug/
Great article. Very thought provoking. I feel very torn sometimes because I really like photography and scrapbooking which has me on the computer for editing, printing etc. It’s a creative outlet vs consumption which is good but I’m interested in alternatives.
Great article! I just became a Catholic last month at age 46 & too practice Lenton 40 day fasting & admire the simplicity of the Religious life.
Each time, I have done it over the season of Lent—which lasts 40 days.
Two weeks ago after a dmt session I gave up facebook and all news sites and forums.
A serious addict it was bordering on a miracle.
It was a bit like morphing from form to formlessness.
Came to realize how ephemeral it all was, how compulsively I checked and rechecked and regurgitated information of no real value. How my daily history page would include hundreds of pages, most opened and not even fully read. Where the digital waste end up?
I now awaken with a cup of coffee as the sun rises, spend a lot more time in the garden, watering and planting.
As the mind has less and less illusion to process it shifts into abiding in Awareness.
I am grateful for the web and what it gave me, but I welcome being selective and time restricted in this paradigm.
We are sovereign beings but it is difficult to perceive this when under the ton of information/illusion.
You have very poignant insights yet again. People have gotten completely carried away with technology, especially cell phones. So many young people spend their lives attached to this device as if it is another limb. It is quite sad. I don’t see the addictive side of it myself. Any time I spend more than 30 minutes looking at a screen, I begin to feel drained. Therefore, without much effort, I put my phone on the end table of my entrance room of my house, and usually don’t pick it up unless someone contacts me or I need to get in touch with someone.