Screenless

I try to have a slow walk every other day and bike one or two times per week. I also enjoy reading printed books and newspapers, using a slow journalism approach, and attending art exhibitions.

“Get some fresh air, and go outdoors to run, walk and exercise. Move your muscles and get your blood pumping. Do so without bringing your phone along — just enjoy the symphony of nature ringing in your ears.

Switch your content consumption from reading a screen to reading a book. Yes, I’m talking about that ancient printed stuff bound by glue, with non-mobile words printed on them. Doing so will not just stimulate your imagination better, it’ll also have a calming and therapeutic effect. Pick up a hobby that is screen-free, like dancing, gardening, cooking, craft making, or drawing and painting. If you choose to do so, resist the urge to document and show the world what you’ve done. If you really have to, only do so at the end of your “project.” — Walter Lim (@coolinsights)

Not documenting what I observe is tough for me as I love photography, and it inspires me to write down blog posts and even do projects. In his blog post, Paul Simbeck-Hampson shares his research and deep thoughts. After I read his write-up, I asked this question in a Google+ thread (before the social network vanished):

What can you / we do to reverse of our bad tech habits, raise awareness to bring back humanity, focus and independance from technology for our children and as adults?

Paul replied:

“By focusing on the only thing that we should wish to improve and change, ourselves. This will ensure that we are well on the way to solving this issue. We need to work towards a model of personal excellence for others to observe and follow, not dictated or prescribed, but experienced, and this can only be achieved by working hard on the self.”

Anton Kreil has also shared in this video why and how he is not using a smartphone. I can understand the benefits and rewards of letting go of a smartphone for better productivity, focus and deep work. However, it makes me think of Cal Newport, who would advocate not using social and fewer devices for deep work.

One can still decide what to notice and when to engage while using the smartphone, any device and app, right? Deactivating each app’s notifications is doable, so one can decide when to check out an inbox, a social network, or even digital content. Still, it is about habit-building and iterating. It is difficult to do when some habits become almost natural over time and can become unhealthy.

The following small and straightforward step would also be about embracing life without email, as Luis Suarez (@elsua) encourages and supports through the #noemail movement.