I created The Smartphone Free Life because I saw so many people talking about how much they disliked what their smartphones were doing to their concentration, connection with others, and general well-being, but there was no one who was standing up and doing anything about it.
And there was no place for anyone to talk and share ideas about this. All I saw was complaining and resignation.
As time has gone on, and articles have been published with titles like “Has The Smartphone Destroyed a Generation?“, the need to have a discussion about smartphones and always-on connectivity seemed to be not just important but urgent.
Also, people comment on my flip phone everywhere I go. I’ve had strangers stop me on the street. Clearly, there’s something almost scandalous, even heretical about not going along with the technological flow.
That meant I was on to something.
Yes! The purpose of this site isn’t specifically to get you to ditch your smartphone. The goal is to get you to think critically about the role that technology plays in your life, so that you can make better decisions and be more intentional.
Do you really? While I’m sure that there are a few of you for whom you really do need an always-on connection to the internet in your pocket, I’d wager that you just think you do, because that’s the way that these devices have been marketed to you, and you’ve had no one to tell you otherwise.
And let’s say you really do need a smartphone. Do you really need to use it so often and for so many purposes? I think not.
Not in the slightest. I have worked in the technology field (mainly in software) for most of my adult life and have been playing around with computers since I got my first Tandy 1000 EX in 1985. I’m the person who my family and friends call when they have technical issues, and while I’m not a software developer, technology is an integral part of my life.
I am, however, very intentional with my usage of tech, and gadgets in particular. While many people are content to get every new gadget that’s marketed to them, I remain ever-skeptical, and make sure to ask myself “will this improve my life?” before getting on board. Often, the answer is no.
I’m Mike Pumphrey, author of Empathic Finance, a website about the intersection of personal finance, emotions, and goal setting. (It was previously known as Unlikely Radical.) If you want to know more about me, you can see my about page over there.
Yes, that’s me. Empathic Finance was also previously known as Unlikely Radical, so that’s me there as well.
Sigh. If only I had written this site in French. “La vie sans les téléphones intelligents” has such a nicer ring, don’t you think?
Probably. But the hyphen felt awkward to me, and I quite like how “Free Life” stands out when the hyphen is removed.