Book Review — Digital Minimalism: Re-evaluate the Relationship with Technology
2023 6th book ….. Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport, Newport expresses his view on technology bringing more harm than good and how we should approach technology.
Reasons to read
Firstly, many people recommend it. Secondly, I want to use technology in a better way and not letting them consume me.
How has this book changed me?
Conversation vs Connection
Socializing in real-time is more valuable as it brings conversation but it is often taken away from sudden clicks of connections from social media.
Social media should be a tool to make offline conversations easier. For example, use it for a quick round of text to find a friend who is available for a walk if you are free suddenly.
Being more mindful with technologies
- Scheduling specific time periods to reply messages.
- Appointing conversation office hours during commutation or daily walks and allow friends or family to call you at that period
Replacing low-quality digital activities with high-quality ones during free time
- The more demanding the leisure activities take, the more it energizes you eg sports, new projects
- Being systematic and scheduling free time helps invent opportunities — more sneaky time for your leisure activities
Adopting a digital declutter
- A 30-day break from optional technologies that do not disrupt personal life significantly
- Set operating procedures on how and when to use them
- Reintroduce the technologies from a blank paper with the following rules
- what values does the technology serve,
- is that technology the best way to achieve the value
- how are you going to use the technology to maximize value
Review
This book is on my to-read list for a long time as I don’t want to be affected by social media. Heading home after school, I give myself a 10 min break, but that ‘break’ eventually turned into an hour of mindless scrolling before I even realize…. Sometimes I am on Instagram or Facebook looking for cooking or fitness content. I think that it is okay to spend an hour or two on it as long as I am getting inspiration. Never did I realize there isn’t much I get afterward. And also how much technologies have consumed me from comparison and fear of missing out.
I am in the first week of digital decluttering, there are still times I cannot resist the urge to click into the apps. But the feeling of missing out is weaker! And also the time I used to spend on apps was spent on writing blogs, drawing or reading…. Time passed slower and I am actually happier! I recommend this book to everyone, especially those who want to re-evaluate their relationship with technology.
Some information about the book
Title: Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World
Author: Cal Newport
Rate: 5/5 ⭐️
