Date Created: 2024-10-28
By: 16BitMiker
[ BACK.. ]
As a Linux administrator, I'm immersed in technology every day—from terminal sessions and system monitoring to scripting and server management. But after long hours in front of screens, I found myself craving a healthier boundary between work and personal tech. That craving led me down the path of digital minimalism.
Inspired by Cal Newport’s eye-opening book Digital Minimalism, I began rethinking my relationship with technology—not to reject it, but to use it more intentionally. Here's how I approached this transformation and what I’ve learned along the way.
To kick things off, I went to the extreme:
Switched to Dialup4Less for internet access.
Used a Sunbeam F1 Pro Aspen dumbphone.
Browsed the web with the text-based Lynx browser.
This radical approach helped me break ingrained habits by removing the ease of distraction. But let’s be honest—dial-up isn't sustainable long-term, especially when part of your job involves package updates, Git pushes, or SSH sessions that actually need bandwidth.
Still, this phase was valuable. It revealed just how much of my screen time was habitual rather than intentional.
Instead of total rejection, I shifted toward thoughtful curation. This toolkit supports my digital needs while minimizing distractions:
🧠 ONYX BOOX Palma – A pocketable e-ink device perfect for focused reading without notifications or color-screen temptations.
📞 Sunbeam F1 Pro Aspen – A rugged dumbphone for essential calling and texting. It includes navigation and hotspot capabilities, making it surprisingly versatile.
✏️ Notepad and pencil – For brainstorming, list-making, and planning. Analog tools help engage a different part of the brain.
📷 Dedicated digital camera – Encourages me to capture moments without the reflex to immediately share or edit them.
📱 Smartphone with Before Launcher – A compromise setup: minimalist launcher, no social media, and essential apps only.
I also use a Kitchen Safe to create forced breaks from screens. It’s great for intentional downtime, especially on weekends or digital detox days.
At first glance, having multiple devices might seem counter to digital minimalism. Shouldn’t the goal be fewer gadgets? But here’s the twist: more devices can actually lead to less screen time when each device serves a single, focused purpose.
Here’s why this works:
▶️ Focused Functionality
Each device does one thing well. The e-ink reader is for reading. The dumbphone is for calls. No multitasking traps.
🧠 Reduced Cognitive Load
No barrage of notifications or temptation to switch apps. When I pick up the Palma, I know it’s time to read, not scroll.
👥 Mindful Usage
Switching between devices requires intention. That extra step creates a moment to ask: “Do I really need to do this right now?”
🎯 Task-Specific Experiences
A dedicated camera delivers better photos without distractions. A notepad never pings. These simple tools often outperform their multifunctional counterparts in quality and clarity.
Sometimes, digital minimalism has to bend to reality. Emergencies, family needs, and travel situations occasionally require the use of the full-featured smartphone. That’s okay.
In those moments, I re-enable notifications, use apps like Signal or maps, and stay present. But as soon as the situation stabilizes, I return to my curated setup. This elasticity is vital. Minimalism isn't about rigidity—it's about intentionality.
Digital minimalism isn’t a one-time fix—it’s a process of ongoing refinement. Some days I feel the tug of FOMO, especially when I'm unplugged during a trending event. But the mental clarity and increased focus I gain far outweigh the occasional missed meme or hot take.
For those of us in tech-heavy professions, where screens and notifications are part of the job, creating a clear separation between “on” time and “off” time is essential. Curating your digital life can give you back mental bandwidth you didn’t realize you were losing.
Digital minimalism is personal. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. You don’t have to go full dial-up to reclaim your attention—but you should experiment to find your own balance.
Small shifts—like using a minimalist launcher or designating tech-free hours—can make a surprisingly big impact.
Your future self, with fewer distractions and more clarity, will thank you.
Looking to try this yourself? Start small. Pick one habit to change—maybe it's just removing social media from your phone. Then build from there.
Stay mindful, stay focused.