Overconsumption is so minimized in our society. We consume so much information, material items, wild memories and days, movies, parties, foods at every second unless sleeping. Though this doesn’t mean our sleep isn’t waging war with our habits. It takes hours for us to fall asleep, we have dreams regarding our busy days, and we wake up thinking about the next idea, party, clothing splurge, post on Instagram.
This is what has caused the minimalism trends that began sweeping the nation just a few years back. But I still believe it is an under sought lifestyle and many aspects of our life are left out of the ideas. Such as our digital world. Photos, apps, ebooks, friends, Safari tabs, and a Watch Later list on Youtube with 342 videos in it. Digital minimalism is forgotten amidst our efforts to live simpler. But today I want to talk about just that.
The Benefits of Digital Minimalism
Having a digital world with, what feels like, unlimited space for all of us it gets super easy to overwhelm ourselves and over-consume. This has lead to a multitude of issues in my own life. That were solved in many ways by cleaning my digital space. Confused emotions, forgetfulness, numbing my brain and living robotically, poor cleaning habits, laziness. Poor sleep, rising anxieties, and a million other things that trashing much of my digital consumption aided in cleaning up.
I deleted Snapchat, ALL games from the App Store, useless Apple applications, and more. That means I am only on my phone for work, intentional lazy days, or when I’m having a down day or not feeling well.
With this I sleep better, learn to deal with my emotions and feelings better, spend my time in useful manners, and stop sucking in the opinions of others so I can grow my own opinions and morals. It leads me to the Bible more often, a spotless house, conversations with family. I began exercising more and spending more time working on my business. This is just the effects of a few minor changes. I have barely touched the surface of the benefits. It’s time to slow down, consume less and live more.
First Steps to Technological Minimalism
1.) The first step is to delete all Apple applications that come on your phone, that you never use. For me this was Apple Music, Shortcuts, Home, the Health app, Apple Watch and more.
2.) Delete all games. This one is hard for some people but honestly I don’t see a lot of point to having games on your phone. If that is how you wind down, I get it. I use Disney+ for that. If this is the case there is no harm in keeping one, but generally, delete the games. Never have I used a game on my phone for an appropriate amount of time and I know I am not alone.
3.) Delete Apps you haven’t used in the last six months. For me this was Google Sheets and VSCO. You can always re-download.
4.) Go through your photos. This one is daunting. Delete the sunset photos from October 21, 2019. Delete the screenshot of the skincare product you forgot about and the screen recording of the funny TikTok you never watch over.
5.) Go through your reminders and notes and clear out the ones you don’t need anymore.
6.) Delete at least one social media and clear out your other ones. Random saved photos or Watch later videos. Delete people who you don’t want to follow anymore.
7.) Emails and texts Just delete what you don’t need and who you don’t chat with.
8.) Safari tabs and Google tabs. Do you still need to know how many cups of flour you use in a scone batter? Delete.
9.) Lastly, Subscriptions. My only subscription is Disney+, I got rid of Hulu and Netflix. I say, choose a favorite and clean your phone of the rest. This also saves you money!
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