A weekly no computer day
Since July, I’ve been doing a no computer day each week: no phone or laptop on Saturdays. (I think it’s important to call this stuff ‘computers’ and not just ‘devices’ — the concept of wearing a tiny computer around your finger seems a little ridiculous. But if you wear a tiny device on your finger, that’s just an Oura ring. I don’t have an Oura ring.)
Not using computers does create some friction, like: if I’m meeting a friend and they’re late I don’t know when they’ll be there, if I plan on taking the subway I need to have written down the directions the day before, and if I’m bored I can’t just go on TikTok.
But a little friction isn’t so bad: I trust my friends will be there eventually, I’ve developed a much better sense of the subway system, and if I’m bored I can read a book, or take a walk, or play some music. Maybe a little friction can even be a good thing.