Is Digital Minimalism Possible?
Technology is something we have become so accustomed to that when we are left without it, a state of boredom and restlessness enters our minds.
A few years ago I completed a 7 day silent meditation retreat in Thailand. No speaking, No cellphones, No television, No music, No reading and no solid food after 11am.
The purpose of this retreat was to remove all forms of stimulation and to help you slow down. To pay attention to all sensations of the body and mind. To practice mindfulness and pay attention to everything happening around you.
Photo by Lesly Juarez on Unsplash
Since birth we are raised in an environment of perpetual busyness. Over a long period of time, we suffer from this stimulation overload. Depression, constant fatigue and the inability to function in a healthy manner are the effects of this modern treadmill.
This made me think about how disruptive social networks are to our lives. One of the things you clearly notice while on the retreat is just how agitated the mind becomes when it isn’t stimulated. It takes about 3 days for the mind to settle into a peaceful rhythm of thinking clearly.
Photo by Lucas Calloch on Unsplash
I now understand the importance of paying attention and being mindful in every waking minute. One of the reasons I’ve gravitated towards Buddhist teachings is the emphasis on using every moment in life as an opportunity to practice mindfulness.
While we’re eating, walking, sitting and sleeping; We are to pay attention to our actions and especially our thoughts. Striving to reach an equilibrium with everything we do. If the middle way can’t be reached, anywhere close to it is still a valiant effort.
Disruptive Technology
Social networks have many advantages, but the downside is the damage they cause to our minds.
They strip away our ability to focus and concentrate. One of the things I really worry about is the amount of time I waste on them, and the long term effects they will have on my mind.
I have set some lofty goals for myself, the main one is to learn a few languages which not only requires a great amount of time but focus too. Anything that interferes with that will need to be reconsidered.
So the big question is whether the advantages of social networks outweigh the disadvantages?
What are the solutions to ensure that social networks won’t interfere with my life?
Would I be better off with or without social networks?
Advantages:
Photo by Alexander Shatov on Unsplash
1.Connects me with people that share common values and sentiments. E.g. Obscure niche groups which you would not be able to find in the mainstream such as language forums, festivals or running clubs.
2.Global phone book: Store all contacts on one platform making it simple to retrieve them anytime and anywhere.
3.Travel: especially to obscure places, information is not only hard to find but the credibility of that information is usually questionable. The best way is through recommendations from people you meet along the way. This will not only save you a lot of time, but also a lot of money.
Disadvantages:
Photo by Ludovic Toinel on Unsplash
1.The biggest issue I have with social networks, is removing the amount of junk floating around my timeline. Whether it be toxic individuals or hateful, ignorant and racist comments.
2.Information overload. There is simply too much information to process. This is a modern crises and social networks are a big reason for that. Our brains weren’t designed to filter through so much information at such a rapid pace.
3.Time: If I was given a penny for every minute I spent on social networks, scrolling through cat pictures and all sorts of stuff which added nothing to my life. I’d be arguing with Warren Buffet right now about who has more money. Just the thought of this valuable time wasted makes me sick to the stomach.
Solutions:
Photo by Kai Pilger on Unsplash
To control the amount of time I spend on social networks. I have set up a schedule for the time I am allowed to check social networks. I place the restriction from the moment I woke up till 16:30pm, which is the time I typically finish work. However, during the weekend I am allowed to check Social Networks as much as I want.
This means that during work, whether I have a busy schedule or no classes, I am not allowed to log onto social networks. After a few weeks this will eventually develop into a healthy habit of not constantly checking your feeds during the day.
In Conclusion
Even though I can justify the advantages of using social networks. I unfortunately cannot disregard the amount of time wasted on them. This should outweigh all the advantages. However, I can still argue that if used with restrictions a large amount of harm can still be removed.
But if history tells us anything about human nature, it’s that we lack discipline and self-control. So when setting the ambitious goal of restricting the amount of time you spend on the internet, always remember the sobering words of Oscar Wilde, “I can resist everything except temptation.”
