Simplifying Life Without an iPhone

Issue No. 21 : A few learnings and recommendations after almost three weeks without both iPhone and Apple Watch

Not using an iPhone or an Apple Watch feels like traveling back in time to a simpler life, like here, just playing on the beach, being completely immersed in the present moment. Photo by Per Håkansson, made with Leica Q.

It’s now been almost three weeks (May 11) since I sold my iPhone and Apple Watch and here are a few learning, thoughts, and suggestions.

In a world increasingly tethered to technology, the idea of stepping back can feel revolutionary. While the iPhone has undeniably reshaped how we live, work, and connect, intentionally choosing to not use one offers a surprising path to simplification and a renewed sense of presence.

This isn't about shunning technology entirely, but rather about critically evaluating its role in our lives and reclaiming aspects that may have been ceded to the smartphone. It’s about developing your own relationship to technology and make it work for you so there is no judgement either way.

Beyond the Apple Ecosystem: The Case for a Simplified Digital Life

For many, the iPhone represents a default. Its sleek design, powerful features, and seamless integration into the Apple ecosystem make it an attractive and seemingly indispensable device.

However, this very integration can lead to a state of constant digital immersion, where notifications, social media feeds, alerts, and an endless stream of information call for our attention.

Choosing to live without an iPhone and an Apple Watch doesn't necessarily mean a complete digital detox. Instead, it encourages a more mindful approach to technology, often leading to:

• Reduced Digital Overload: Without the constant alerts and immediate access to every app, you create space for focused thought and fewer interruptions. The urge to "just check" is significantly diminished. Over the past two weeks I’ve daily experienced big chunks of solitude and deeper focus.

• Enhanced Presence and Mindfulness: When your attention isn't constantly pulled towards a screen, you're more attuned to your surroundings, the people you're with, and your own internal state. This fosters deeper engagement with the real world. I feel I’m much more here and now without constantly checking in with my iPhone or Apple Watch.

• Reclaiming Time and Attention: The hours spent scrolling, browsing, swiping, and consuming content on an iPhone can be substantial. Opting out frees up this time for hobbies, relationships, personal growth, or simply quiet contemplation. For me that has meant a richer social life, and more reading.

• Improved Sleep Hygiene: The blue light emitted from screens, particularly before bed, can disrupt sleep patterns. By not relying on an iPhone as your primary device, it's easier to establish healthier pre-sleep routines. If you let something else then your tech device be the center of your attention at night, it becomes much easier to make the switch from screen to reality.

• Breaking the Comparison Trap: Social media, often heavily accessed via smartphones, can fuel feelings of inadequacy and the constant need to compare oneself to others. Stepping away can foster a greater sense of contentment. Not being on social media and less on LinkedIn has really helped out in switching the focus from the what the world is doing to myself and my own personal ambitions.

• Fostering Deeper Connections: When you're not preoccupied with your phone, you're more likely to engage in meaningful conversations and make genuine eye contact, strengthening real-world relationships. Since I cannot bring my iPad to lunch or dinner, I can be completely present for deeper conversations. It forces me put in more effort into the relationship.

• Increased Creativity and Boredom Tolerance: Without the instant gratification of a smartphone, you're more likely to embrace boredom, which can be a powerful catalyst for creative thought and problem-solving. I don’t think I’ve been so pleasantly bored as I’ve been over the past two weeks for a long time and I can already feel that it’s fueling my imagination. I’ve also become much more aware of the impact of the smartphone and the pros and cons of using one.

Practical Steps to a Less iPhone-Centric Life

So, how do you navigate a world largely designed around the smartphone without an iPhone? It requires intentional choices and a shift in habits.