About four years ago I lost my phone – I never replaced it.

In my new home I’m yet to get internet – I doubt I will.

And I’ve never been able to drive.

These are a few of the choices I’ve consciously made because I think my life might be better as a result. As wonderful as these technologies appear they have brought complexity into my life that upon reflection I don’t think I really need. I want simplicity. I want less, not more.

Essential for modern day life

New technologies, new possessions, even new ideas, come into our lives all the time; often being accepted uncritically. We’re always sold on the positives. It is difficult to be mindful that these things might also have negative impacts on our lives, and precipitate irrevocable changes in our societies. Changes we will question with hindsight.

Oftentimes after something has been in my life for a while I have this strange feeling of not being able to live without it. I had this feeling with my phone years ago. It was my primary means of communication – an all too easy way to ‘connect’ with others. But when I lost my phone I was just about to start life in a new city and since I didn’t know anyone in that city I had an opportunity to explore life there without a phone. It was much easier that I had ever imagined. My relationships deepened. I’d take email addresses instead of numbers, and if I wanted to talk to far away family and friends there was always Skype.

And these days with internet being everywhere…

As much as I love my family and friends we are not always in each other’s everyday life. A call is nice and connecting but I’d much prefer to see and feel someone – a warm hug, a smile, maybe even a hot meal shared or just a warm cup of tea.

I have often asked myself if sustaining longer distance connections via communication technologies is getting in the way of finding local connections – stronger and deeper connections with my neighbours or my local community. Perhaps! We’ve all been there – a busy café with everyone on a screen connecting to someone in some other place, maybe in some other time.

I can at least experiment and see how I feel. What is lost, what is gained?

That is I suppose why I’m now experimenting with not having internet in my home. I suppose the internet is essential for my research, and communicating ideas is important to me – via this blog for instance. Sure, internet in my home can be really useful for that too, but I’ve noticed that just like the phone the internet tends to distract me from the things I’d rather be doing. Like being outside, and being spontaneous and free.

The internet is something I might go to when I am feeling bored, sad, or lonely. Sometimes I’ve wondered whether those emotions are compounded by the time I spend online. Not truly getting my needs met.

So when I need the internet I can get it at work or in the local library, and when I’m using it I try to use it with greater intention. I can’t have it everywhere in my life as I tend to get lost online more than I would like.

Are our basic needs being fulfilled?

As humans we have a set of needs to fulfill; the basic physiological ones like food, warmth, shelter, without them we wouldn’t last too long. We also value the feeling of safety. Then there are the more psychological ones such as feeling loved and connected to others. There is also the desires for esteem from self and others, and self-actualisation. I haven’t figured out a way to eat my phone, nor find a way for the internet to keep me warm, but I suppose a car can be slept in. They are not important for my basic survival. But these things, phones, the internet, cars, do have a role to play in creating connections with one another. And that is pretty important.

But there are numerous other ways in which we can achieve connections to each other. For me face-to-face connections can be far more nourishing. Since I’ve moved into my new flat I’ve got involved with a community garden and I spend much more time in the local volunteer arts café. I also have a keen eye for community boards of posters and leaflets. I’m communicating ideas on a one-to-one basis. I’m practicing being present in my daily life and giving attention to new and familiar souls before me.

Maybe it’s not just phones, internet, and transport we can happily live without

There are other things I’ve experimented with not having in my life, and for more or less the same reasons. Some months ago I disappeared from Facebook. Recently I lost my wrist watch and didn’t replace it (that’s quite a big deal if you don’t have a phone). I certainly don’t drink alcohol anymore. I’ve tried to cut-out refined sugar. Some of these things I may eventually bring back into my life if I think they can be useful, but for now I’m very happy without them and perhaps feeling more fulfilled than I otherwise would be.

*** Thank you for reading. If you like any of my posts then I’m happy to have them shared or commented upon. Also if you don’t like anything then I’d be grateful to hear that too.