One of my summer reads was Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport. Fitting because I had taken an unintended break from social media, more because of stretched schedule full of many decisions in a short time frame. I deleted instagram (my biggest vice) from my phone, as well as Pinterest, podcasts, etc.

Technology is a fabulous tool that has provided me many great ways to automate things that have to happen (re: bill pay). It can also suck a lot out of our day with nothing to show for it, except maybe some anxiety. I’m certainly a work in progress, and as more options speedily are thrown at us, this requires constant evaluation. This summer it was so freeing to eliminate these distractions in order to be present to what was right in front of me and make many, many decisions.

I wanted to share a few highlights that I took away from this great read. Highly recommend!

You don’t need an app for that
The sugar high of convenience is fleeting
For many compulsive phone use papers over a void created by lack of well developed leisure life
Pursue more intentional analog activities (higher quality)
We are solitude deprived
Unstructured conversation terrifies us
Phones have become woven into a fraught sense of obligation, being always on call. Instead set do not disturb