[aurea]

Having failed to truly "disconnect" in the past, my recommendation in order not to be distracted by the internet is to first and foremost write down everything that you would have the urge to google. Instead of googling it, put it on paper, and continue your activity. Once you are done you can review the points that you have wrote down, and think whether they are really worth pursuing. And if they are: stop right there! Don't google it. Think about how you could get this information without the internet.

This process has helped me rediscover atlases, dictionaries, and many other forms of offline knowledge. I almost see it as a form of survivalism: asking yourself how would you learn without electricity?

Of course there will be failures, either due to loss of focus, or maybe because of perceived boredom. But if one sticks with it, it really does become a good habit.

[rmbyrro]

The first part makes sense. Not to distract and interrupt a productive activity.

But the second part just seems pointless improductivity, doesn't it?

I mean, to counter lack of exercises due to excessive use of cars, you would at times avoid it. But not every time, when you really can benefit from its speed, safety and comfort.

[aurea]

I see the fact that searching for the information without the internet (or electricity in general) is more difficult as a filter to select what is relevant and discard the noise. In these cases I simply accept that I need to pick what I want to focus on.

But I am in no way advocating for a 100% electricity free lifestyle, nor am I saying that one should ditch all modern technology. Something that I do are offline days [1] during which I try to apply what I wrote about here. On other days it will depend on the urgency of the task itself.

You can of course also apply only the first part (noting down things to search later). Whatever works for you ultimately.

[1] https://www.reddit.com/r/OfflineDay/