Reclaiming Control in a Digital World | How Digital Minimalism Changed My Life

Reclaiming My Life Through Digital Minimalism

A few years ago, I had an unexpected realization almost an epiphany. Every part of my work existed inside the digital world. From the moment I woke up to the moment I went to sleep, I was surrounded by screens, notifications, and endless tabs. I wasn’t using technology anymore it was using me. I had become the tool, and my devices were in control.

That realization hit hard. So I started searching for answers, and that’s when I stumbled upon digital minimalism. It completely changed the way I view my relationship with technology.

For me, digital minimalism isn’t about ditching all technology or spending as little time online as possible. It’s about taking back control using technology intentionally and purposefully. It’s about being in charge of how, when, and why I use my devices instead of letting them dictate how I live.

My rule is simple: use technology as a tool. Get in, get things done effectively, and get back to living my life outside the screen.

How I Rebuilt My Digital Life

The first place I started was my phone. My iPhone 11 became the testing ground for this new mindset. When you open it, there’s nothing flashy no bright icons, no distractions. My phone stays in grayscale 90% of the time. It’s a simple trick that makes endless scrolling far less appealing.

I keep only the essentials. My screen time widget stays front and center so I’m aware of how much time I spend on my device. I keep fitness and weather widgets for convenience, but everything else lives in the app drawer. If I need something, I search for it there’s no reason to scroll mindlessly.

To help with focus, I use a free app called Burnout Buddy. If I try to open Safari or another distracting app, it stops me and reminds me that I don’t need to be doing this. It sounds small, but those interruptions are powerful reminders to stay intentional.

Every app on my phone serves a purpose. I don’t keep apps just to fill space. Could I strip it down even more? Sure, but what matters is that my setup works for me. My phone helps me work efficiently and keeps me focused. Once I’m done, I put it away and return to real life.

My phone is now an input device, not a consumption one. I use it to capture ideas, schedule tasks, or jot down notes not to scroll endlessly. All notifications are off while I’m working, and only text messages and calls come through during non-working hours.

Living by My Values

One thing I’ve learned on this journey is that digital minimalism goes beyond decluttering your apps it’s about aligning your technology with your values. Before I add anything new, I ask myself two questions:

1. Does this align with my values?

2. Is this the best way to support those values?

This mindset raises the bar for what I allow into my digital life. It keeps my setup clean and meaningful.

The Social Media Dilemma

Social media has always been the biggest question mark in my digital life. I’ve wrestled with whether I want to be on it or not. Right now, I keep Facebook for three reasons: Messenger, Marketplace, and my local disc golf group.

Messenger helps me stay connected with family and friends. Marketplace is useful for buying and selling used items locally. And the disc golf group keeps me updated on events so I don’t accidentally show up to a crowded course when I want quiet time.

Scrolling the feed? I can’t even remember the last time I did that. Facebook doesn’t control my time anymore I use it when I need it, and that’s it.

Instagram is trickier. I joined back in 2012, thinking it was a photo editing app. Over time, it became a platform for sharing my film projects and connecting with other creators. It was valuable once I even got jobs through it. But a few years ago, the magic faded. Now, I check it on desktop a couple of times a week, respond to a few DMs, and that’s all.

Reddit serves one purpose finding answers to niche questions I can’t get anywhere else. The tone of the platform can be negative, but I stick to threads that are helpful and try to contribute where I can.

Then there’s YouTube my favorite platform. It’s the one I’d never delete. I’ve learned so much there and found incredible creators who inspire me to improve my craft. I don’t use Shorts or the homepage; I stick to my curated subscriptions so that my feed is filled only with value.

Finding Balance with My Apple Watch

I wouldn’t say my Apple Watch is essential, but it has its place. I mainly use it for fitness and sleep tracking. Over time, I noticed that when I get less than seven hours and fifteen minutes of sleep, my mood and energy take a big hit. The watch helps me stay mindful of that.

The best part? It lets me leave my phone behind. Around the house or during walks, I use the watch to stay connected without the constant temptation of checking my phone. If I could redo it, I’d buy the cellular version just to make it easier to stay disconnected from my phone.

My Minimalist Desktop Setup

My desktop is my workspace simple, quiet, and organized. No clutter. Every file has a place. Notifications stay off, and “Do Not Disturb” is always on while I work.

I use Google Drive for documents and a custom-built enterprise server for video production and client work. I’ve learned over time that your data is your most valuable asset. That’s why I follow the 3-2-1 backup rule: three copies of data, two types of storage, one offsite.

For smaller backups, I recommend a solid-state drive it’s fast and durable. For larger data, a spinning hard drive works well. I also use Backblaze for cloud backups it’s affordable and reliable.

I regularly delete files I don’t need. If it’s a document I won’t revisit or seven nearly identical photos, I keep the one that matters and let go of the rest.

What Digital Minimalism Means to Me

This lifestyle isn’t about perfection. It’s about being intentional. Some areas, like social media, are still gray zones for me but that’s okay. I’m constantly learning how to strike a balance between connection and distraction.

Digital minimalism isn’t a trend; it’s a mindset. It’s about creating a healthier relationship with technology and aligning your digital habits with the kind of life you actually want to live.

So, take a moment to look at your own setup your apps, your screen time, your habits. What would happen if you removed the noise and kept only what matters?

Because at the end of the day, minimalism isn’t about having less it’s about making room for more of what truly matters.

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