Oh the irony: Looking for a how-to guide to getting off the internet

November 19, 2024 5:03 PM

Need a recommendation for a practical book on how to divorce one's life from the internet and be more "of the world".

I know about "Digital Minimalism" but the tech bro/productivity bent did not resonate with me and I felt like he was kind of recommending half measures? I dunno, it's been a while since I've tried reading it. I think I'd prefer something more spiritual or simple living-y, the more radical the better, though a baby steps type protocol is fine. I want to quit the internet so I can be more present in my life and enjoy the world in general not so I can produce more.

I also don't need a lot of background about the issues with being addicted to screens (though a little is okay, of course) - like, I know it's frying my brain and I'm ready to take action now.

I would prefer an actual book, but will consider web-based resources as well.

posted by RoseyPosey to Computers & Internet (9 answers total)

Get a repetitive strain injury, or something else affecting your wrists and hands. I used to be extremely online, and now that I've been away from the internet for a couple years I can't stand it.
posted by wheatlets at 5:38 PM on November 19 [4 favorites]

not a how-to manual, but jenny odell’s “how to do nothing: resisting the attention economy” provides some practical measures through her own narrative experiences. (and imo is a palate cleanser after cal newport!) available as a print book!
posted by tamarack at 5:45 PM on November 19 [19 favorites]

I hope this isn't too much of a tangent, but I have had similar concerns and have struggled for a long time to find a solution. Downloaded various books (Break Up With Your Phone) about getting off the internet and back into my real-world life, but my attention span was truly so shot I literally couldn't read them. I found a couple of physical tools invaluable in implementing actions the books (what I did read of them) suggested. The Brick has been surprisingly useful as a physical tool to unhook myself, while still having access to things I neeed like Google maps, internet banking and phone calls. After a week TikTok and social media are already substntially less engrossing and I don't miss them. Maybe now I'll finally get to read Stolen Focus. Previously used this phone jail overnight which was fine at night but not during the day when I needed my phone for work. Also considering ditching my iPhone, using apps and email on a laptop only (somehow less addictive for me than the phone), and getting a Light phone for calls and texts.
posted by t0astie at 6:10 PM on November 19 [3 favorites]

I think I'd prefer something more spiritual or simple living-y, the more radical the better

the tao [gutenberg]
posted by HearHere at 8:28 PM on November 19

Heres a song you may find helpful: Put down your phone by Superorganism.
posted by SaltySalticid at 5:24 AM on November 20

From my own experience, it’s kind of like breaking up with coffee. Go in a weekend trip where you’re busy doing stuff and not online. For the dopamine diet so to speak. Then when you come back just use the internet for practical tasks like paying bills.

Get a real alarm clock so that way the first thing you see in the morning isn’t a phone.

One of my meditation teachers said the purpose of life is to make as many connections as possible. The more people you are meaningfully connected to, the more people you can really help, in a tangible day to day way. Spending more time in real life is the only way to make these connections.

As I got older I saw how I was getting very picky about who I’d spend time with or be friendly with. Maybe I was just judgy. Anyways we moved and I didn’t have the luxury of picking, my neighbors are my neighbors and I need friends so I just decided to love the ones I’m with so to speak. And with that attitude, eventually I did!
posted by St. Peepsburg at 10:34 AM on November 20 [1 favorite]

Honestly get a dumb phone and schedule a lot of activities during the day, including exercise and outdoor stuff. Start cooking 90% of your meals from scratch
posted by cotton dress sock at 10:36 AM on November 20 [1 favorite]

A few years ago my laptop died and I considered getting a new one but my spouse already has one that he is also trying to use less, so we just share it. My ridiculously small smartphone is charging in the entry way (in a small apartment) and it mostly stays there. I read paper books in the morning and ebooks at night as part of my wake up/sleep routine. I have two separate Instagram accounts, one for friends/family and one for "brands," a lot of which is food/craft inspiration and I check that one less and don't have to feel like I am missing anyone's life events. The One Sec browser extension helped break some patterns. I read a lot of books on this topic but none of them jump out at me as the one that changed everything, it has been a series of small habit changes. Except for maybe Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, that's a good one.
posted by lolibrarian at 11:51 AM on November 20

Also check out this episode of WFMU's Techtonic on Brooklyn's Luddite Club. They are high schoolers consciously rejecting the technology of their parents and peers and I found it really inspiring.
posted by lolibrarian at 12:12 PM on November 20 [2 favorites]