Column 'Midlife Crisis': I Buried My Smartphone
The columnist, part of the last generation to grow up without digital technology, describes her decision to live without a smartphone to combat addiction to digital devices.
In her column titled 'Midlife Crisis', the writer shares her journey of giving up her smartphone after realizing the negative impact it had on her life. She reflects on being part of the last generation to grow up in an analog world, which has created a conflict within her as she has become increasingly dependent on digital devices. To combat this addiction, she made a drastic decision to return to a pre-digital lifestyle by asking her partner to hide her smartphone and changing the Wi-Fi password shared with her neighbor, thereby significantly reducing her internet access.
This decision symbolizes a broader struggle many individuals face in todayβs technology-driven society, where smartphones and constant connectivity often lead to feelings of anxiety and distraction. The columnist's experience highlights the importance of taking deliberate steps to regain control over oneβs time and mental space, illustrating a deep desire to reconnect with life beyond screens. By living without the internet, she seeks not only to free herself from digital distractions but also to engage more meaningfully with her surroundings and relationships.
Ultimately, her narrative is a personal testament to the challenges and rewards of opting for a simpler, more analog existence in an increasingly digital world. This reflects a growing trend among individuals who are reevaluating their relationship with technology and seeking to find balance in a heavily connected environment.