What is Digital Minimalism?

Coined by professor Cal Newport, digital minimalism is a philosophy of technology use. It's not about abandoning technology, but about being intentional. A digital minimalist focuses their online time on a small number of carefully selected and optimized activities that strongly support the things they value. Everything else is avoided.

Practical Steps to Get Started

Feeling overwhelmed is normal. Start small with these actionable steps:

• 1. Declutter Your Home Screen

  Remove every app that isn't essential for daily function or deep value. Move distracting apps like social media and news into folders on a secondary screen, making them harder to access mindlessly.

• 2. Schedule Your Screen Time

  Instead of checking things throughout the day, batch your consumption. Designate specific 20-30 minute blocks for checking email, social media, or news. Outside of these times, the apps are off-limits.

• 3. Embrace Grayscale

  Turn your screen to grayscale. This small change makes your phone visually less stimulating, removing the dopamine-driven "slot machine" effect of colorful app icons and notifications.

• 4. Reclaim Your Mornings and Nights

  Charge your phone outside of your bedroom. The first hour of your day and the last hour before sleep should be phone-free. Use this time for reading, reflection, meditation, or conversation.

"Digital minimalism is the art of knowing how much just enough is." — Anonymous

The Reward: A Richer Offline Life

The goal isn't just to use your phone less; it's to live more. The hours and mental energy you reclaim can be invested in hobbies, physical activity, deep work, and meaningful face-to-face connections. You will likely find yourself less anxious, more present, and in control of your time and attention.