in the thicket

Optimizing my Digital Life

The past few days I have been thinking about Newport's second principle, "Optimization is Important". As it turns out, I read the morning paper. Well, I don't really, but I like to think that if I had been my current age half a century ago, I would have enjoyed browsing the morning paper or a news or practical magazine while I enjoyed my morning coffee, to wake my brain up. As much as I would love to be the kind of person who wakes up and immediately starts their morning Bible reading, I am more the kind of person who prays a sleepy prayer, enjoys a light devotional, fixes coffee, and then browses various articles and news while my brain wakes up more. Thinking back, I've really always been this way! Though now my routine also involves a demanding 5 yo, unloading the dishwasher, remembering to start the laundry, making sure the 13 yo is up and moving, and dealing with the antics of a 4 month old puppy who likes barking at the cats in the morning. 

So, mornings are not the best for sustained attention, though I do love to connect, in some way, with the outside world. I think that's why I fell into the bad habit of Facebook and Instagram first thing in the morning--- but it's not the kind of "food" my mind really needs. They input I get from them first thing are like nibbles... or eating a bag of those "Mystery" Jelly Beans where mixed in with the good flavors is the occasional root beer (blech!) or dog vomit flavor... so tasty, sugary bites with the intermittent YUCK moment. What I really want are some small bites of something healthy- some mornings I may only need one or two (or need to fast if other there are more pressing needs like getting out the door for an appointment), and other mornings I may have the time to enjoy more of a feast or buffet. But, how to provide this for myself, without junk mixed in? (Though I do think that of the two, Instagram has more "meat" because I follow folks who often write great content to go with their photos, especially those focusing on faith and homeschooling.)

Years ago, I used to check my blog reader feed first thing, back in the heyday of blogging. The thing is, I still love reading blogs. I am not quite able to recall, but I feel like something happened and Feedly went away, or changed somehow? Yesterday it occurred to me, maybe there are some new blog readers that I could use. I searched, and found out that Feedly is still around! Pleasant surprise! And when I signed in with Google, my old categories and "feeds" were still there! Many years ago when I actively used it, my feed was quite cluttered, though. I think I had decluttered it at some point, but obviously I need to do it more. I'm giving some thought to how I would like to do it- I think I may group by sites I'd like to see daily (the ones that post daily content), and then have some categories for other blogs that may have weekly or monthly updates, and then check one of those additional categories each day (so maybe on Saturday, check all the crafty or kid-oriented blogs, in case I want to try an activity with my 5 year old during the week, so then I would have a chance to prepare any materials needed.)

As it turns out, and knowing myself this is no huge surprise, I'm mostly abstaining from Instagram, Facebook, and streaming content during this month. But I am enjoying my increased mental space, and learning where my priorities are. I do agree with all the principles, though, and it's a good exercise to think through how to apply them to my digital life, and really, life in general!

Chicken Soup on Monday

This weekend I was able to attend a women's retreat hosted by my church... they rented a huge, beautiful house on Lake Gaston. Plenty of room for everyone to be there, though not all beds were equal (some were creaky bunkbeds!) It was a wonderful weekend, full of conversations both light and deep, great food, games, and general fun. The only negative was that I got a "facetime" call with my 5 year old on Friday night- she was sobbing and sad because she wanted Mama! In the end, she was able to sleep, and I think fared pretty well... except for a tantrum she had because she insisted that she wanted to eat HOMEMADE Chicken Noodle Soup... no canned or soup from Panera for her!

So, my amazing 15 year old daughter planned our meals for this week, and included soup on the menu for later in the week. I actually love making Chicken Noodle Soup, so I decided that would be fun to do with my 5 year old throughout the day today. I think we should do more soups, actually--- the multi-step process is good for the young attention span, and she really enjoys washing, peeling, and dicing, and there's usually plenty of that. Oh, and the dumping and stirring! She can't get enough. 

I should really give this a whole post, but we have a new puppy, named Betsy. I call her a mutt, which my 13 year old objects to, since she feels that's an insulting term. But whatever she is, she's a sweetie. The last time I had a dog I was in my teens, so I've forgotten how sweet it is to have a puppy or dog trailing you. She's often at my feet, and ALWAYS in the kitchen when I'm cooking. I think that the making of chicken soup was possibly one of the most exciting events of her four months of life- I did give her a few small tastes of chicken, but not too much since I haven't researched it. I feel like it's generally frowned upon to give dogs table scraps, but given that I have a messy 5 year old, it's pretty much unavoidable. I feel like historically dogs have always eaten what falls to the floor, so I hope it's ok!

My digital minimalism experiment is going well so far. I do still have the habit of wanting to go check- and then I remember. The ruts are deep. This weekend the role of social media in our lives came up, mostly in casual conversation. I really enjoyed hearing one woman who is younger than me share how she and quite a few of the people her age she knew backed off Facebook after college- just citing the social energy it took to find out what someone she took one class with in college was doing on a daily basis. The thing I struggle with is that I do actually love hearing how my friend's days are going, and that doesn't bother me, but sometimes I can get caught up in the drama of someone's life as shared on Facebook. I feel like I want to know how they are doing, but from afar. However I think it would be much better for me and for them if I just reached out personally... but if they aren't someone that I am able or comfortable doing that with, then I probably don't need to be too concerned with the details of their lives? At the same time, I have appreciated feedback from people who are less close to me about various issues in my life. Something for me to pray and think on, how to balance the near and close with the less close, either geographically or emotionally. 

An Experiment in Digital Minimalism

So, I decided to use this old, neglected blog as a place to record my experiment in "digital minimalism" inspired by Cal Newport and his book "Digital Minimalism". The main thesis of the book is that you should be intentional about your digital life, and that sometimes a reset is necessary so that you can evaluate how you use technology. For some time, I've been wanting to "declutter" my digital life, and figure out a way forward to use technology in a way that supports my goals and interests, instead of detracting from them and causing me to be more distracted in general. Newport's book has a lot of helpful insights... his three primary principles of digital minimalism are:

1. Clutter is costly

2. Optimization is important

3. Intentionality is satisfying 

(Yes, I love his three three-word points!)

As to the first point, yes, clutter IS costly. I've got way too many apps and sites and "things" that I follow. (I have too much clutter in my house, too, but that's another story). Newport suggests taking a break from all optional technology for 30 days, and spending that time cultivating and engaging in meaningful activities, and then at the end of the break, reintroduce some of the optional technologies that you feel add value and meaning to your life in a specific, purposeful way (i.e. I will check Facebook once a week for 20 minutes to catch up with family and friends on Saturday morning while drinking coffee on my porch). So, declutter, and then add back in technologies in an optimized and intentional way. 

So, if I'm trying to minimize my digital life, why am I adding blogging back in? Well, first, given that no one reads my blog currently, this is akin to a personal journal. Newport actually recommends writing letters to yourself, and he shares how he has filled a number of Moleskine journals over the years. So, this is my version of a moleskine journal, which no one will be reading NOW, but may glance at LATER. Specifically, that someone is most likely to be me! I have always tended to use Facebook and Instagram rather selfishly--- I appreciate likes and comments, but my biggest thrill is when I look back over what I've shared and revisit pleasant memories, and sometimes am reminded of harder experiences that I've had. This blog could serve that function very easily (plus it would be easier to print out some of it and have a hard copy if I felt motivated to do that!)

Newport also suggests cultivating hobbies during the 30 day detox... and writing is something that I enjoy doing, and would like to do more of. I like writing about books I'm reading, cute or funny family happenings, projects, crafts, food, faith... but I'm not sure what I enjoy writing about the most, so maybe this will be a chance for me to figure it out. 

Newport suggests making a list of "banned technology" and then putting in place "operating procedures" for the technology you continue to use for the 30 days. I am not going to be as ruthless as Newport suggests, though, just targeting things that I'm dissatisfied with my use of.

Banned technology:
Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, Netflix & Amazon streaming, Libby library app because I read lower-quality books there, general web browsing without a purpose, any apps I identify on my phone that I don't really need to use and can potentially be time sucks.

Not banned technology: 
-Intentional use of things in the pursuit of my responsibilities as a homemaker and homeschool mom. Specifically, visiting the website and forums of AmblesideOnline (our curriculum) and Simply Convivial and Rocket Chat (courses & community that I participate in and
that support my vocations). I don't tend to over-use those, and their net benefits are great... I would say I'm optimized there already?

-Podcasts and audio books: I listen while driving or doing chores. I don't see a reason to discontinue, they are not displacing other higher-quality activities.

-Email, text, and chat services--- Newport talks a lot about the drawbacks of relying on "low quality" communication too much, but this is a way for me to communicate with my husband and a few close friends. I'm definitely up for phone calls when possible, though, and would love to figure out a way to do more of that! Also, I do subscribe to a few blogs and newsletters via email... I will continue to read those since they don't take up much time and will keep me up with news without visiting a news website. I will check these once in the morning, at lunch, and in the evening- if I feel like it is still taking too much time then I will figure out a way to cut back/limit. 

-Google Calendar- this is a necessity- along with email, one of the things that would be really challenging for me not to use! (If needed, I may also need to take a quick peek at Facebook for events to add to my calendar once a week, but it should only take a few minutes to do that.)

-Blogging- I like the idea of taking some time in the evening to write about how this experiment or reset is going, and to document some of what I'm doing, reading, learning, etc. I'm not sure how much I will want to do this, time will tell! But if I need a place to "share" something, or post pictures, this will be the place I do it. 

I'm "signing off" various things today, and will be officially starting tomorrow- which should be easy, I'll be at a women's retreat with my church!