Many of our readers know the principles of minimalism concerning physical space. But we can apply the same standards to our digital lives to achieve the same goal. Inspired by Cal Newport's book, ‘Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World’, we explore three key principles that benefit our mental well-being and contribute to a more sustainable world.
Cal Newport emphasizes the importance of evaluating the benefits of digital tools in our lives. This encourages us to be intentional about the technologies we allow into our daily routines. We can reduce our digital footprint by focusing on quality rather than quantity.
In his book, Newport argues that the apps and platforms we use should serve a clear purpose and add substantial value to our lives. Apps that merely contribute to noise should be removed from our phones, laptops, and computers. By leaving only essential platforms, we simplify our digital lives and reduce the environmental impact associated with unnecessary data storage and processing.
Newport advocates for a deliberate and intentional approach to technology use; do you really need to use your phone now, or do you use it to kill time and get a quick dopamine boost? Instead of mindlessly scrolling through social media, or succumbing to constant notifications, we should approach digital tools with purpose.
This intentionality helps us better concentrate our attention and focus on essential things, lowers our stress level, and reduces the energy consumption associated with our devices.
In a world that constantly demands our attention, Newport highlights the importance of spending time with ourselves away from screens.
Digital minimalism encourages us to carve out moments for reflection, self-discovery and offline activities, promoting a healthier relationship with technology.
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If you have already incorporated a maximum of environmentally friendly habits into your physical space, why not try extending them beyond that and embrace digital minimalism?
By grasping these and other principles from ‘Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World’, we create a more focused and meaningful existence and contribute to a cleaner and greener world – something we sorely need right now!
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