December Digital Declutter
I’ve become increasingly uncomfortable with the amount of time I spend on technology devices. Looking around I see that I am certainly not the only one who seems to be surgically attached to their device. Somehow, that only makes it feel worse.
The first step to kicking a bad habit is admitting you have a problem. I certainly do. Do you?
Technology has become an integral part of our lives, for better or worse. I love being able to look something up whenever the urge strikes. Being able to get driving directions for a spur of the moment excursion is awesome. But there are features of technology that I’m using that make me feel worse after using them, not better.
Until just a moment ago in history, we didn’t have mobile phones, internet, computers, TVs, etc., and we did ok. So certainly I can remove things that are not serving my best interest and not die, right?
It might be time for an experiment.
I’ve identified the following areas of tech that have become particularly problematic for me:
YouTube - as a visual person, I like seeing some of my favorite podcasts on YouTube but the algorithm quickly sends me off on tangents and it’s hard to pull myself out
News websites - I could pretend I want to be informed but let’s be honest here: it’s like a wreck that I just can’t look away from
Twitter - I just signed up and was quickly reminded of one of the reasons I quit other social media a while ago…it’s addictive and I struggle to moderate
Text messages - since my phone rarely leaves my side, I can easily be interrupted from everything I’m doing to see what someone had to say
Email - I get so many emails and it stresses me out seeing the count go up all day
You may know by now that I am someone who benefits from outside accountability so I’m making a public announcement to help me stay on track. I will declutter my tech for the month of December. I will use tech for work, but not for solo entertainment.
Here are the rules I will follow:
Banned completely:
YouTube videos for entertainment
Twitter personal account
News websites (all of them!)
(Luckily I already quit other social media so I have it easy there)
Allowed, with restriction:
LinkedIn - time limited to 5 minutes or less 2 times per day
Business Twitter - time limited to 5 minutes or less 2 times per day
Texting - turn off alerts while doing work
Email - schedule 2 blocks per day to process and respond, and keep it closed otherwise
Podcasts - business related and audio only while doing something else, like cleaning, knitting, driving, or exercising
Website and other application use - anything that couldn’t be mistaken for non-work. For instance, I can search the internet for specifics related to a business topic that I am actively working on, but not for unambiguous “research”.
TV - as long as I’m with at least 1 other person
YouTube videos for learning - only if in relation to a specific business issue I need to learn about or instructions for something (like fixing something)
I’m certain to have a void in my time due to my December digital declutter and I know that it’s dangerous not to plan for difficulties, so here are the things that I will fill my newly opened time with:
Reading for pleasure, instead of just for work
Treadmill
Puppy training
Continuing education courses
Walks with friends
Crafts
Beyond having the above list handy when I feel the itch to use technology off-plan, I’ll set some barriers in place. I’ll put a sticky note on my phone screen reminding me of the digital declutter; in order to use the phone I’ll have to remove the sticky. I’ll designate a place where my devices will remain and will have to go to them to use them (i.e. to answer a call or text).
I’m hoping that by doing this December digital declutter that I’ll feel less burdened by the role of technology in my life and that I’ll have space to do things that make me feel good, unlike the technology that makes me feel drained.
What technology applications do you struggle to moderate? Is it possible that a digital declutter will add to your life, instead of taking away?
Will you join me in a December digital declutter? Send me an email or comment below to say you’re in and what you’ll declutter. Then, check in after a month to let me know how it went. I’ll update everyone with my results in January.
Not ready to do it in December? January is a great time for a restart, and if you benefit from outside accountability like I do, you can join our accountability group.
