Have you ever considered the impact of your digital life on your mental well-being? What about the impact on the environment?
Our daily routines are intertwined with digital technology, from checking our phones first thing in the morning to scrolling social media feeds before bedtime.
While providing convenience and a sense of connectivity, this digital immersion has unseen downsides – it contributes to our mental clutter, can cause addiction, and adds to our carbon footprint.
This is where digital minimalism comes into play. But what exactly is that and how does it relate to sustainability? Let’s dive deeper into these concepts.
Understanding Digital Minimalism
Coined by Cal Newport, a professor of computer science at Georgetown University, digital minimalism is a “philosophy that helps you question what digital communication tools (and behaviors surrounding these tools) add the most value to your life.”
In simpler terms, it’s about mindfully curating our digital presence to optimize personal benefits while minimizing negative impacts.
Digital minimalism isn’t about rejecting technology. Instead, it’s about creating a balanced relationship with it. It’s about choosing quality over quantity, focusing on what truly matters, and letting go of the rest.
The Benefits of Digital Minimalism
So, why should you consider digital minimalism? Here are three compelling reasons:
- Improved Mental Health
Ever heard of “technostress”?
It’s a modern-day syndrome caused by the inability to adapt to new computer technologies in a healthy way. Symptoms can range from anxiety and irritability to fatigue and insomnia.
Digital minimalism and its focus on reducing digital clutter and distraction can alleviate technostress and improve mental health.
Here’s an example:
A study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that limiting social media use to approximately 30 minutes per day resulted in significant reductions in loneliness and depression, especially for people who were experiencing high levels of these symptoms to begin with. - Increased Productivity
Digital minimalism encourages mindful technology use, which can significantly boost productivity. A study by the University of California, Irvine, found that it takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to return to a task after an interruption. By reducing digital interruptions, you can stay focused and get more done. - Environmental Sustainability
Every digital activity—from sending an email to streaming a video—consumes energy and adds to your digital carbon footprint. By being mindful of our digital habits, we can contribute to environmental sustainability. More on this later.
Practical Steps to Digital Minimalism
Interested in adopting digital minimalism? Here are five steps to get you started:
- Spend time in nature: At the root of obsessively using digital media is the desire for agreeable experiences. We want to have a good time – but often we don’t. We get bored, stressed or irritable, and the impulse to get rid of these feelings propels us into action. Digital media seems to be a quick fix because it’s so easily available. Of course, it’s not really getting rid of anything. It’s just layering pleasant digital experiences on top to cover up the underlying unhappiness.
Something that can actually help dissolve these feelings of discontent is going outside, perhaps to a nearby park or a forest. There’s something innately soothing about spending time in nature, something that lets us soak up the peaceful atmosphere and allows our hearts to let go of some of the stress. - Declutter Your Digital Spaces: Just as physical clutter can cause stress, digital clutter—overflowing inboxes, endless app notifications, disorganized files—can lead to digital overload.
Start by decluttering your smartphone, the device you likely use the most. Delete unnecessary apps, organize the remaining ones into folders, and turn off non-essential notifications. You can apply similar strategies to declutter your email inbox. Unsubscribe from unnecessary newsletters, create folders for different types of emails, and set specific times for checking emails. - Mindful Consumption: Be selective about what you consume online. Before clicking a link or a video, ask yourself: “Is this worth my time?” “Will it add value to my life?” Remember, viral doesn’t equal valuable.
- Digital Detox: Much like spending time in nature, a digital detox is a period during which you refrain from using electronic devices to break free from the cycle of digital dependency. It doesn’t have to be long; even a day or an afternoon can make a difference. Use this time to engage in activities that make you happy – read a book, go for a hike, cook a meal, or simply sit in silence. Isn’t it pleasant to take a break from the constant bombardment of advertisements and messaging apps?
- Set Boundaries: Just as we set boundaries in our personal and professional lives, it’s also important to set boundaries for our digital lives. This could mean no screens during meals, no messaging after 6 PM, or a complete digital shutdown one day a week. The goal is to carve out spaces of non-distraction in your daily life.
Digital Minimalism and Sustainability
Now, you may wonder, “What does all this have to do with sustainability?” Here’s the connection: While seemingly invisible and intangible, the internet has a substantial environmental impact.
Consider this: data centers worldwide, which store and process internet data, account for about 1% of global electricity use, according to a study by Science Magazine. This energy consumption translates into a significant amount of carbon emissions.
Furthermore, the production and disposal of digital devices contribute to environmental pollution. A report by the United Nations states that 53.6 million metric tons of electronic waste was generated globally in 2019, an amount expected to double by 2030.
So, how does digital minimalism help with sustainability? By reducing our reliance on digital technologies, we can reduce the demand for data – and thus for data centers. Additionally, by extending the life of our digital devices through mindful use, we can reduce electronic waste.
This is where businesses like jut-so come in. By advocating for digital minimalism and sustainable web development, we aim to create a more sustainable digital future.
Moving forward with digital Minimalism
In an increasingly digital world, the principles of digital minimalism can guide us toward a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle. It’s about making conscious choices about our digital behavior, focusing on what truly adds value to our lives, and letting go of the rest.
Remember, adopting digital minimalism isn’t about making drastic changes overnight. It’s about taking small steps toward a larger goal. Start with one aspect of your digital life that you feel needs change and see how it goes.
The author and minimalist Joshua Becker put it this way: “The first step in crafting the life you want is to get rid of everything you don’t.”
By choosing to consume less, we can help reduce the carbon footprint of our digital lives. It’s a choice that would benefit us and the planet.
