Reclaiming Your Attention: Using Digital Minimalism in a World of Distraction
The Attention Economy
In a world flooded with screens, all vying for your attention, it's more important than ever to choose your tech with intention. Every swipe and tap is a second of your time that quickly adds up to hours spent in apps you didn't even want to check in the first place. This system, set up by tech companies to keep you engaged, even at your expense, is called the attention economy, and it thrives on your distraction. In order to fight back, we must think about technology differently and be more mindful about how we use it.
The Cost of Frictionless Tech
Technology has advanced by leaps and bounds in recent years, becoming increasingly frictionless and convenient. Unfortunately, this has come with a trade-off: our attention is being eaten away by constant overstimulation, bright lights, and endless feeds. Algorithms feed users emotional content, and they anticipate interests to encourage infinite scrolling. To foster an addictive habit, devices buzz and beep every so often to create a physical habit of picking up your device. But with every notification, your focus is stolen, ruining your ability to concentrate on what you value most.
Thankfully though, we are not powerless to the attention economy. We can choose to spend our time and attention deliberately. In an effort to take control back from their tech, many are turning to "digital minimalism," first popularized by Cal Newport in his book by the same name. He doesn't say to get rid of all your technology, but to instead choose your technology to align with your values and then use it with intention.
Becoming a Digital Minimalist
What is the value of technology? That is the main question at the core of digital minimalism. After you understand what you value, then you are able to shift your technology use to better fit those values. If you'd like to become a digital minimalist, a good place to start is by decluttering your devices. You can do this by deleting apps that you just use out of habit, clearing out old messages and emails, and removing anything from your device that adds to the digital noise but doesn't add value. A big part of protecting your focus is making sure it isn't broken, so you should disable notifications wherever possible. Disabling notifications will also make it less likely that you go onto your device unintentionally.
Finally, consider diversifying your technology. When you rely on the same device to meet all your needs and wants, you are more likely to get distracted and waste time cycling through different apps. Using different devices, such as a physical camera, an eReader, and work tablet, for different purposes, like seperating work and entertainment, can keep you focused on want to be doing in the moment and away from distraction. When using a multifunctional device, be clear with yourself about what you are using each function for. No matter what technology you decide on, you should try to set clear limits on when and for how long you can use certain apps and devices. The more deliberate you are with choosing your technology, the more value it will add to your life.
The Calm of E Ink Tablets
If you are looking for a device that will fit this mindful philosophy, then look no further than ink tablets. E Ink tablets maintain the value of modern tablets while leaving behind the overstimulation and digital clutter. They don't flash bright lights and neon colors to hold your attention; instead, they have soft colors that are kind to your eyes and natural textures that keep you grounded. BOOX extends this minimalistic philosophy, with no built-in ads or algorithmic feeds and no incentive to keep you endlessly scrolling. They provide a digital space that keeps you mindful, creative, and focused to help you in your journey to digital minimalism.
Designed for What You Value
Much of the technology we use today that we once adopted to be more productive or creative now serves to make us dependent on it and to keep our focus on our screens, no matter the personal cost. Some devices make it harder to live a mindful life, which is why selecting technology and brands that respect your time and attention is so important. When you choose a BOOX tablet like the Palma 2 Pro for mindful moments, or the Note Air5 C for light productivity, like, you choose purpose over impulse.
Our devices are designed with creative and productive endeavors in mind, and you can use any apps you need, as BOOX devices aren't tied to any ecosystem. In fact, most aspects of BOOX devices are customizable, from system font to navigation settings to notifications. This means that you can create a workspace that respects your priorities, with a device that will adapt to you, not the other way around.
Whether you’re reading, writing, or studying, BOOX lets you stay focused on what truly matters. When you’re done, you simply put it down. There are no alerts, no distractions, and no urge to stay longer than you meant to. BOOX helps you protect your focus, stay in a flow state, and keep you in the right mental space for creativity. It’s not about cutting technology out of your life; it’s about using it with intention.
