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Seven years ago, I made a decision to ditch my corporate job and pursue a life in technology. It was the best decision I ever made. Here’s why.
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The allure of technology
The siren song of new gadgets
We’ve all been there. We see a new gadget and we just have to have it. Even if we don’t really need it, even if we can’t really afford it, we justifying buying it because it will make our lives better/easier/more fun. And for a little while, it does. But then, the novelty wears off and we’re left with a expensive paperweight that takes up space and gathers dust.
I’m as guilty as anyone of falling for this trap. I’ve bought tablets that I never use, phones that are quickly outdated, and laptops that were good for about a year before they became slow and obsolete. And every time, I justify the purchase by telling myself that this time will be different. This time, I’ll use the tablet to read more books or the new phone will help me stay connected with friends and family. But of course, it never works out that way.
I’m done with this cycle of buying new gadgets and then being disappointed when they don’t live up to my expectations. That’s why I’ve decided to ditch tech for good. From now on, I’m only going to buy devices that I really need – no more impulse purchases or unnecessary upgrades.
Does this mean I’m going to go completely off the grid? No – I still need to be able to work and stay in touch with people. But I am going to be more selective about the technology I use and only buy what is absolutely essential for my day-to-day life.
The promise of efficiency
Efficiency is often framed as a good thing. And, in many ways, it is. Getting more done in less time is a worthy goal, especially when it comes to work. But there’s another side to efficiency that’s not so desirable.
Technology has a way of making us more efficient in our bad habits as well as our good ones. Consider how quickly and easily you can check your email or social media accounts on your phone. It takes just a few seconds, but those few seconds can easily turn into minutes or even hours if you’re not careful.
The same goes for other activities like shopping and entertainment. With just a few clicks, you can buy almost anything you want or stream any movie or TV show you can think of. Again, this convenience comes with a downside. It’s all too easy to spend too much money or time on things you don’t really need or want.
Of course, there are ways to use technology efficiently without falling into these traps. But it takes effort and discipline. For many of us, it might be simpler and healthier to just unplug from time to time.
The dark side of technology
I’m done. That’s it. I have had enough. I’m packing up my laptop, my phone, and my tablet, and I’m never looking back. For seven years, I have been a fool. A slave to the almighty tech industry But no more. I’m finally free.
The drain on our attention
I’ve been a technology optimist for most of my life. I grew up in the PC era, and have been an early adopter of each new wave of consumer technology, from the internet to mobile phones. But in recent years, I’ve become increasingly sceptical about the role that technology plays in our lives.
I’m not alone in this. A growing chorus of tech insiders and commentators are starting to express doubts about the wisdom of always being “connected”. In particular, they are concerned about the way that social media and smartphones are affecting our mental health.
One of the most articulate critics is Tristan Harris, a former Google design ethicist who is now a campaigner for more responsible technology design. In a recent TED talk, Harris argued that we are in the midst of a “attentional crisis”, where we are bombarded with so many demands on our time and attention that it is difficult to focus on anything else.
This constant distraction has real-world consequences. A recent study found that people who regularly check their phones during lectures perform worse in exams than those who don’t. Another study found that heavy social media users are more likely to experience anxiety and depression.
It’s not just students who are affected. A 2016 poll found that nearly half of American adults feel they can’t go more than 24 hours without their phone. For many people, constant checking of email, social media and news app notifications has become a default behavior, even when we are with other people or doing something else entirely.
This is having a profound effect on our relationships with other people. A 2017 study found that couples who don’t share their partner’s taste in music are more likely to divorce than those who do. The researchers believe that this is because musical tastes reveal “fundamental personality differences” that can be hard to overcome.
The same is true of technology preferences: if you like spending hours scrolling through Facebook or Twitter, but your partner prefers reading books or talking face-to-face, then you are likely to clash over how you spend your free time together. And if you can’t agree on how to use your time when you’re not working, it’s going to be even harder to find time for each other when you are working.
The toll on our relationships
When we’re constantly tethered to our devices, it’s easy to forget about the real-life humans right in front of us. Technology can be a major barrier to connection, both in our personal relationships and in our interactions with strangers.
Just think about the last time you were out to dinner with friends or family. How many times did you reach for your phone instead of engaging in conversation? Or consider the last time you were waiting in line at the grocery store. Did you spend the whole time scrolling through your Facebook feed, or did you strike up a conversation with the person next to you?
It’s no secret that we’re living in a tech-obsessed world. And while there are some definite advantages to all this technology – we can stay connected with people all over the world, for example – there are also some serious downside. One of the biggest problems is that our dependence on technology is slowly eroding our ability to connect with each other on a human level.
The cost to our health
While there is no denying the convenience and benefits that technology has brought to our lives, there is also a dark side to this seemingly innocuous invention. Technology has been linked to a myriad of health issues, including:
-Interrupted sleep patterns
-Eye strain and headaches
-Increased stress and anxiety
-Repetitive stress injuries
-Social isolation and loneliness
While it may be impossible to completely cut out technology from our lives, it is important to be aware of the potential cost to our health. We should all take steps to limit our exposure to technology, and make sure we take breaks throughout the day to rest our eyes and bodies.
Why I’m finally ditching tech
I’ve been a fool for seven years. I’ve been aching to ditch tech for a while, but I haven’t been able to do it. I’m finally doing it. I’m ditching tech because I’m tired of the hamster wheel, the constant hustle, and the pressure to always be “on.” I’m ditching tech because I want to focus on my health, my relationships, and my own sanity.
The benefits of a tech-free life
I’m done with tech. Or, at the very least, I’m done with being a digital native. For the past seven years, I’ve been a part of the tech industry I’ve worked in startups, big companies, and everything in between. I’ve been a coder, a designer, a product manager, and more. And you know what? I’m tired. I’m tired of the industry, the culture, and the constant chatter about “disruption.”
Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for everything that tech has given me. I’ve been able to work from anywhere in the world, meet amazing people, and make a good living. But there’s a downside to all of this that we don’t talk about enough. The constant connectivity that comes with being a digital native is taking its toll on our mental health. We’re constantly bombarded with notifications and messages that we feel like we need to respond to immediately. We’re expected to be available 24/7/365. And if we’re not? We’re labeled as “lazy,” “unmotivated,” or “unproductive.”
I’m done with all of that. I’m done with chasing the next big thing I’m done with being sold on the idea of “disruption.” I’m done with sacrificing my mental health for the sake of my career.
So, what does that mean for me going forward? It means that I’ll be disconnecting from social media, email, and most news sources. It means that I’ll be spending more time offline – reading books, hiking in nature, cooking meals from scratch. It means that I’ll be focusing on experiences instead of things. And it means that I’ll be valuing my time and energy over money or status.
If you’re feeling burnt out by tech or just want to live a simpler life, I encourage you to consider disconnecting as well. You might just find that it’s the best decision you ever make./
The challenges of going tech-free
These days, it seems like we can’t go a minute without using some sort of technology. Whether we’re checking our phones for the time or scrolling through social media, it’s become second nature to most of us. For some people, this constant use of technology can be troubling. In fact, many worry that we’ve become too reliant on our devices and that this dependence is having a negative effect on our mental and physical health.
There are a number of reasons why people might want to ditch tech and go back to a simpler time. Maybe they’re concerned about the amount of time they spend staring at screens. Maybe they’re tired of being bombarded with notifications and constant updates. Or maybe they just want to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with the physical one.
Whatever the reason, giving up tech can be a challenge. After all, these days, it feels like technology is everywhere we turn. But it is possible to live a tech-free life – you just have to be willing to make some changes. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
1) Get rid of your gadgets: One of the first steps to going tech-free is getting rid of your gadgets. If you don’t need them, get rid of them. This includes everything from your smartphone to your laptop computer. Keep only those devices that you absolutely need and get rid of the rest.
2) Disconnect from the internet: Once you’ve gotten rid of your gadgets, it’s time to disconnect from the internet. This means no more browsing the web, checking email, or using social media. If you can, disconnect your router and disconnect your modem from your computer. This will help you break your dependence on the internet and force you to find other ways to occupy your time.
3) Find other ways to occupy your time: One of the hardest things about giving up tech is finding other ways to occupy your time. Without screens to stare at, you might feel bored or lost at first. But there are plenty of other things you can do with your time – you just have to find them! Try reading a book, going for a walk, or working on a puzzle. There are endless possibilities!
4) Stay positive: Finally, it’s important to stay positive throughout this process. Giving up tech can be difficult, but it’s important to remember that it’s ultimately for the best. Trust that you can do it and have faith in yourself!
How to ditch tech
I’ve been in the tech world for seven years now. I’ve worked in big tech companies and startups, and I’ve been a freelance writer covering the industry. And I’m done. I’m burned out, and I’m finally ready to ditch tech for good. Here’s why.
Tips for going tech-free
There’s no denying that technology has drastically changed the way we live, work and play. But there’s also no denying that too much of a good thing can quickly turn into a bad thing. If you’re starting to feel like your tech addiction is taking over your life, it might be time to consider going tech-free for a while. Here are a few tips to help you make the transition:
1. Set realistic goals. If you’re used to being plugged in 24/7, it’s not realistic to expect that you’ll be able to go completely tech-free overnight. Start by setting smaller goals, such as only using your phone for an hour per day or only checking email once per day. As you start to reach your goals, you can gradually increase the amount of time you spend off the grid.
2. Find an accountability partner. It can be helpful to find someone who is also trying to reduce their dependence on technology. This person can help keep you accountable and offer support when you’re struggling to stay away from your devices.
3. Make a plan for how you’ll spend your time. When you’re first starting out, it’s easy to become bored or restless without your usual gadgets and gizmos at hand. To avoid this, make a list of activities that you can do offline, such as reading, hiking, biking, cooking or visiting friends and family members. Having a plan will help keep you focused and on track.
4. Embrace the world around you. One of the best things about going tech-free is that it allows you to really engage with the world around you in a way that isn’t possible when your nose is buried in a screen all day long. Make an effort to notice the little things, such as the colors of the leaves changing or the sound of the birds chirping outside your window. These small moments can help center and ground you during times when technology feels overwhelming
Making the switch to a tech-free life
I’m done with technology. I’m tired of being a test subject for the latest app or algorithm, and I’m over the stress of trying to keep up with the latest gadgets and trends. I’m done with the constant trackers and notifications, the mind-numbing social media scrolling, and the hours wasted staring at a screen.
I’m not alone in my tech fatigue. In fact, there’s a growing movement of people who are stepping away from technology in order to live a simpler, more focused life. And I’m ready to join them.
For the past seven years, I’ve been working in the tech industry as a writer and editor. I’ve written about everything from startups to software to gadgets, and I’ve had a front-row seat to the ever-changing landscape of technology. But as I’ve watched the industry evolve, I’ve also seen how it’s taking a toll on our society—and on me personally.
I’m not immune to the effects of technology, despite being surrounded by it all day long. I still get anxious when my phone battery is low or if I can’t find my charger. I still get sucked into time-wasting internet rabbit holes, and I still find myself mindlessly scrolling through social media when I should be doing something else.
But enough is enough. It’s time for me to take control of my relationship with technology—before it takes control of me.
So over the next month, I’m going to be ditching tech cold turkey. That means no more phone, no more laptop, no more internet, no more social media—nothing. It’s going to be a challenge, but I’m eager to see what life is like on the other side. Wish me luck!
