So, if you have been dabbling in the productivity space, you have likely heard about Digital Minimalism especially on Reddit.
Given the amount of exposure we as knowledge workers have to screens and the different apps on them, it is vital to take a step back and assess our usage patterns to see if they add value.
Before starting this post, we need to accept that digital minimalism is not for everyone, and many people who have tried the lifestyle have failed.
This high failure rate is one of the reasons why we wanted to publish this post which was designed to improve your odds of success in implementing this lifestyle.
What is digital minimalism?
In simple words, digital minimalism refers to the practice of having a more intentional and nuanced relationship with our digital devices & tools.
The idea is not to eliminate technology or digital devices but rather to be productive and mindful of our use. Just think of the whole process as you intentionally shaping your daily digital usage based on your values.
Digital Minimalism & Values
Also, since so much of the digital minimalism process is predicated on your values, it would help to identify your most important values and choose your tools accordingly.
For example, if being productive is essential to you, choosing tools aligned with that goal or value is valid. In this case, it could be a productivity app like Routine, a Pomodoro timer, or anything that positively contributes to your goal of being productive.
Once you have identified the list of essential apps that align with your values, the next step is to list the optional ones and look at their feasibility.
For example, if your motivation is to be updated with the latest news, then a subscription to a reliable news source might be much better than trying to keep up with the world through Twitter.
Hence, in this example, Twitter is an optional app.
The process is pretty simple; pick the outcome you seek from an app and seek a better alternative.
If you want to store photos and videos from your life, Flickr or DropBox might be a better option than Instagram.
Want to keep up with your friends? Schedule calls with them weekly or monthly instead of endlessly scrolling through your Facebook feed.
Long story short, if you have a need, choose the option that is best aligned with your values and not the most popular one.
Once listed, drop all the optional apps and tools that no longer serve you.
Trigger Patterns of Over-usage
So now you have done with the first two steps;
Identify your values and needs.
Identify tools and apps that best align with your values and needs.
Step 3 is to look for trigger patterns regarding usage.
Again, the process is pretty straightforward. You pick a time frame, and within it, you start tracking instances where you feel the urge or impulse to use optional tools.
For example, some people might immediately start scrolling through their Instagram feed when they feel nervous or anxious; others might feel the need to check Twitter or Reddit when they are bored.
Triggers can vary quite a bit for individuals, but the patterns can be pretty apparent in most cases.
So pay attention to what pushes you to use a particular app and manage the underlying cause instead of looking at your usage patterns under the umbrella term of phone addiction.
Optimal Workflows & Time Blocking
Once you have identified values, tools, and usage patterns, the next step is setting up optimal workflows for individual tools.
For example, if Gmail is a tool you use for communication, it would help to block a specific time in the day to check it instead of constantly opening and glancing through your inbox.
You could use a time blocking app like Routine to block time for this task. For example, you can open the Routine app and set up a recurring time slot for 15 minutes at 11 AM and 5 PM on weekdays.
The idea is for you to operate a standard procedure while using these apps instead of going in without a plan and ending up spending more time than needed.
So that is it about Digital Minimalism.
Conclusion
There is quite a bit that we can cover in terms of maintaining the habit, some best practices while setting goals, etc., but that would be a much longer post.
If you want us to cover those topics, let us know on Twitter @RoutineHQ.
Finally, before we close the video, let's quickly recap the four steps discussed.
Identify your primary values.
Identify tools that align with your values and drop the rest.
Identify triggers of unhealthy practices.
Set up procedures for specific use cases.
That is it for digital minimalism. Thanks for reading.
