10 Technology Alternatives | Ditch Your Devices and Live Your Life
I grew up in that sweet spot. The time before the internet and apple devices and the time after. When I was a kid, I would walk to the store to buy some candy or run around my neighborhood playing, with not a care in the world. I read books in my yard and played soccer with my dad. I didn’t have a clunky iPhone chillin’ in my back pocket.
I remember having land lines and being excited when a friend would call and leave a message on the answering machine. Then, when I got into middle school I got my own land line… in my room! My friends could call me directly. I had a lime green VTech portable phone that sat on my bookshelf. It was awesome.
I want to go back to those days. The days when you hung out with the people around you. The days when you were bored and sat there and scrolled the t.v. guide. Or when people actually asked you for your phone number to get in contact with you.
Call me crazy, old, outdated, whatever, but I think AI and the internet and technology has gone a tad bit too far. It’s becoming out of control. It’s running our lives. It’s ruining our lives. Whoa Lindsy, you’re sounding a little dramatic. We are connected all the time, to every thing. Aren’t you tired?
I haven’t gone totally batty though. I do find value in technology when it’s used as a helpful tool. However, it’s become the source of livelihood, connection, worthiness, entertainment, education, socialization, and community.
I’m guilty of mindless scrolling in my downtime too. I’m guilty of comparing myself and my life to other people online. I’m guilty of checking my phone just to see what’s on it. But I’ve also hit a breaking point. That’s not the way I want to live. I want to go back to that sweet spot where the internet wasn’t ruling our lives. I shopped what I had access to and I made connections with the people I was living with and with others around me (i.e. neighbors, local shop owners, friends).
So I’ve compiled a list of technology alternatives to get off the computer and to put down th phone. I hate to break it to ya but you do not need your devices to live a good life. You will not shrivel up and die without it. In fact, quite the opposite should happen. You will likely experience freedom and joy and contentment.
Let’s get right to it shall we?
10 Technology alternatives
1. Ditch Amazon and other online retailers and shop your local businesses. It may cost more but you are likely meeting the person behind the business. Are malls dead? I think they are dying due to online shopping so visit a mall to try to find what you’re looking for. If it’s not there, do you really need it? Just asking…
2. Skip Pinterest and swap recipes with family and friends or try out a new recipe book.
3. I know Kindles are awesome. I have one too. However, local libraries are cool too.
4. Gosh I love getting mail. Fun mail. Not bills or junk mail. Send a note via snail mail and give your thumbs a rest from texting. The space bar is so tiny and I’m getting sick of sending.text.messages.like this.
5. These are hard to come by but send out invitation cards and nix the E-vites or text party announcements.
7. Replace the exercising apps with a gym membership or walk, run, or bike ride outside.
8. Ditch the game apps (Mom..) and bust out those boards games or card games or go outside and play a game.
9. Same with video games… head outside to play a game or start a puzzle or learn a new craft.
10. Instead of checking the weather on your phone, open your eyeballs and look outside. I say this with love.
Did I miss anything? Leave a tech alternatives in the comments! I’ve been working on finishing my quilt instead of watching Youtube videos and reading books. I feel less like a blob and way more accomplished!
