| Each year, my extended family goes on holiday at a remote piece of property we own. There are a few cabins on the property with enough technology to make life there convenient and comfortable: solar panels, refrigerator, electric lights, running water - but no internet and limited cellular coverage * . My family makes an effort to keep electronic devices off and out-of-the-way, or only used in a limited fashion (such as using a laptop for writing). I prefer to keep my phone off for the duration of my time there, which is typically 10-14 days. This would be unthinkable for me in my daily life, but without internet access it is easy. The reduction in stress and increase in my happiness is quite profound. My stress levels are noticeably lower than on a typical holiday, and far lower than my normal levels. I attribute this partly to the lack of internet, and partly to the experience of being "close to nature". Possibly it is also the quiet and dark nights that lead to great sleep. I don't think there is any change in my focus (which is quite poor). I read more than I usually do, but maybe that is just because there is no internet to read. One other interesting factor is the air. The air is much fresher feeling. When I return to civilisation on the trip home, the air makes me feel sick. Eventually I adapt, or stop noticing how disgusting the polluted air is (and how loud car traffic is). I wonder if the air quality influences my mood at all. During the voyage home, there is a point at which the data signals return. This leads to an amusing deluge of notifications on our phones. The most amazing thing is how little I care about any of it. Normally I check notifications often. I sometimes even find myself checking my phone out of habit when there is no notification. Similarly, I don't care at all that I missed 10+ days of activity on HN and Reddit. Why is it, then, that normally I feel like I have to check every day or I am somehow missing out? Based on this, I think you will find it becomes easier to live without technology the longer you go without. If you want to see someone who has taken this to an extreme, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir-s8KRN97Q * In the past, there was no cellular service at all, but it seems that new towers were erected close enough to the property that it is possible to get a signal. In any case, it is not such a bad thing in case of emergencies. |