How Digital Minimalism Changed My Tech Habits: A Personal Journey
There are rare books that can completely change your life. I believe that reading the right book at the right time can transform your perspective or even spark meaningful lifestyle changes. For me, Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport was exactly that kind of book.
Chose Your Apps Wisely
How often do you install a new app without giving it a second thought? I used to do this all the time. But in his book, Cal Newport encourages us to be more intentional about the apps we use. If an app offers nothing more than fleeting distraction or trivial convenience, it’s best to avoid it—even if it claims to support your minimalist lifestyle or provide some minor benefit.
Ask yourself: Is this app the best tool to help me with this specific task or goal? If the answer is no, either find a better alternative or improve the tools you're already using.
Another way to evaluate whether an app or technology is worth your time is to weigh its benefits against its downsides. For example, if I use Reddit to stay informed about software development but also follow dozens of meme subreddits, and out of 100 posts only 1 or 2 are truly informative, then the trade-off isn't worth it. That’s a clear sign the app is too time-consuming relative to its actual value.
Chose Wisely
In the book is a good guideline written how to chose a technology:
1. It must serve a purpose that is important to you
2. it must be the best method to serve this purpose
3. It must be used with clear, self-imposed boundaries.
The Power of Being Alone
There are real benefits to being alone. I know many people who can no longer stand solitude without distractions or external stimuli. Maybe you recognize this in yourself. It's that moment when your headphones run out of battery, and you're about to go outside—and suddenly, unease kicks in. Or you're home alone, surrounded by silence, and your first instinct is to turn on the TV just to have something—anything—there. These are all external stimuli that prevent us from truly being alone. In doing so, we might be avoiding unresolved internal thoughts or feelings. Maybe it's time to face them. And solitude provides the perfect opportunity for that. One of the biggest benefits of being alone is self-knowledge.
Another benefit is the spontaneous generation of ideas. When you're alone, your brain is no longer overstimulated or distracted. It has the space to think, to wander, and to create. Many of the best ideas come from moments of quiet reflection.
And here's a benefit that might seem counterintuitive: being alone strengthens your relationships. Just like spending a few days apart from your partner can rekindle intimacy, solitude can deepen your sense of connection to others. As Wendell Berry beautifully put it:
We enter into solitude and thereby lose loneliness.
The key takeaway here is balance. We need to remind ourselves of the importance of both social interaction and solitude. As a practical step, the book suggests something simple yet powerful: leave your phone at home. Whether you're going for a walk or heading to the gym, try doing it without your phone. At first, it may feel uncomfortable—but over time, it becomes incredibly freeing.
Social Media and Modern Communication
Social media is a double-edged sword. When used appropriately, it can foster happiness and a sense of community. However, this benefit applies only when it doesn't replace real, in-person interaction.
For example, if you stay connected with friends overseas through social media, it serves a meaningful purpose and can enhance your well-being. On the other hand, if social media use replaces face-to-face contact, it can have a negative impact on your mental and social health.
Often, increased use of social media inevitably leads to less time spent on offline interactions. Heavy usage may result in more likes, but paradoxically, it can also leave you feeling unhappier and more alone.
Liking a friend’s photo online can never replace the quality time you could spend with them in real life.
Avoid this kind of communication—it’s weak. Commenting and liking are forms of superficial interaction that lack depth and emotional connection.
So, what can you do about it? Use text messages and similar tools only for logistical purposes, such as scheduling appointments or sharing details about where and when to meet. These platforms should not serve as substitutes for real, meaningful conversations if they’re used solely for coordination.
Here’s an extra tip: instead of constantly checking your messages, collect them and respond in batches at fixed times—ideally four times a day. This creates boundaries and reduces distraction.
This is the first part of what I’ve taken away from the book Digital Minimalism. Next week, we’ll dive into the second part, where I’ll share how the book inspired me to join a club and how my relationship with technology changed in just one month.