In a world where your attention is the the most valuable currency, Digital Minimalism is the radical act of taking it back.

Digital Minimalism is a philosophy of technology use to help you bring back focus to what truly matters. Contrary to popular belief, it is not about becoming some kind of technology Luddite who gets rid of their phone and deletes all of their apps. 

Digital Minimalism is about using your digital tools intentionally rather than habitually. Putting you in control of your devices rather than them controlling you. It’s a way to engage with your technology in a manner that reduces distractions, increases focus, and helps you reclaim control over your time and mental space. 

The Problem: We’re Always On

How many times per day do you think you check your phone? 10 times? 20 times? If you guessed either of those you are way off. The average person checks their phone over 90 times a day! Often, people don’t even realize they are checking their phone that much.

In the modern age we are drowning in notifications, infinite feeds, and constant connectivity. Unfortunately, even though we are more connected than ever, this doesn’t equate to a more cohesive life. Instead it often leaves us feeling more anxious, scattered, and overwhelmed.

The worst part about the whole situation i that most of it isn’t even a conscious choice. It’s driven by design. Look at social media platforms, streaming services, even your productivity app. Most of them are designed to keep you hooked. 

The end result of it is that we spend hours online without knowing where the time went and often with very little to show for it.

What is Digital Minimalism Anyways?

Digital minimalism is all about flipping the script on the idea that we have to always be on and available. It goes against the idea that we need to be attached to our devices 24/7. 

Digital minimalism isn’t anti-technology like some people would have you believe. It’s Pro-Purpose. It’s all about asking that one simple question: Is this technology serving me or am I serving it?

At it’s core, digital minimalism means:

• Decluttering your daily life by eliminating low value tech use.
• Curating meaningful tools that support your values and goals.
• Creating boundaries that protect your time, attention, and energy.

You can apply the same concepts of physical minimalism in digital minimalism. Remember Marie Kondo’s question: Does this spark joy? Well, with digital minimalism the question is: Does this app or habit spark value? If not, then take a page from Elsa and “Let it go”

What Does Digital Minimalism Look Like In Practice?

There is no one way to practice Digital Minimalism. What works for one person might not work for other people. Similarly, what digital minimalism looks like for me may look completely different for you depending on your needs and what you are trying to achieve. 

With that said, there are some common practices that you might see:

• Deleting social media apps from your phone and only checking social media from a desktop
• Turning off all non-essential notifications
• Scheduling screen-free hours or days
• Using a minimalist phone or grayscale mode to try and reduce usage.
• Replacing mindless scrolling with intentional offline activities. 

Why Does Digital Minimalism Matter?

Digital Minimalism isn’t about being more productive. It’s about reclaiming your attention so that you can be more present in your day to day lives. 

I know for me a big part of it was wanting to be more present for my family. Nobody looks back as their kids are growing up and says “I wish I’d spent more time on my phone instead of playing with my kids.”

Digital Minimalism helps in so many aspects of your life. A few things it can help with are:

• Reducing anxiety and digital fatigue 
• Deepening your relationships with family and friends
• Improving your focus and creativity.
• Live your life in a way that aligns with your values rather than living it in a way dictated by algorithms on your phone.

Final Thoughts

I really liked to think of digital minimalism as a way to rebel against all the noise that is constantly bombarding us every day. Our attention is one of our most valuable assets and all of these companies profit from your distraction. 

To choose to be intentional about your digital usage is powerful. It’s helpful to your mind and body. People, Companies, Politicians, Networks, they only have power if you give them attention. 

When you take the attention away, it puts the power back in your hands. Digital minimalism isn’t about going off the grid. It’s about living on your own terms.

So if you really want to take the first step, start by asking: “What truly deserves my attention?”