The Best Tech Lesson I Learned This Year

Friday, October 2, 2026

It's not uncommon that I completely relearn from scratch how to do something. Most of the time it's because I forget how to do something, but some times it's because I want to be able to perform a task more efficiently, or more productively. That's why I took a good look at my technology usage and learned how to use it differently.

The Principle Of The Matter

It's no secret I've been a user of Linux and Android in the past, and have moved over to macOS and iOS for all of my computing needs (side note: I am working to move back to Linux). I for a long time put a lot of thought and care into what tech I used based on the ownership of my tech, who built the tools, etc. But as time went on and I started to care less about those factors, I came to a bit of an epiphany regarding my tech use.

I was using it too damn much.

From using my notes app for every waking thought to keeping eyes on my calendar app all day, it was becoming apparent that I was too tied to my technology use. So what was I to do about it? Well take the minimalist approach of course.

Less Really Is More

To start this effort off, I had to take a good look at what I was using tech for and if it was really as necessary as I was making it. My focus on tech was becoming less about the politics behind it, and more about the practicality of it.

The first thing was that I wanted to look at my email less. Yes I know, email is important. But I like to follow the Chris Titus Tech methodology of email. If it's really that important, the sender can pick up the phone and call me. Otherwise, I'll get to it when I get to it. I accomplished this by taking my email off of my phone and kept it on my laptop. I don't check it often, but when I do it's almost never anything that I missed out on.

Next I wanted to use my phone and tech less for general productivity tasks. What I mean is that I had my calendar, notes, todo lists, etc. all stored in digital copies on my devices. Taking a cue from some of the minimalist YouTubers, I decided to move those things over to a physical notebook. A pocket notebook to be precise. It's been a great system for storing the things that rattle around in my brain.

But What About XYZ?

Now these few things are not all that our technology can do. Some other things I use tech for is checking in my kids to daycare, banking/finance tracking, socializing online, just to name a few. For tasks that I don't absolutely need to do on the go, I keep them tied to my computer. Not allowed on my phone so that it doesn't distract me from what I am focusing on.

So far this approach has been beneficial to my tech usage. I haven't yet needed to install a banking app or social app to my phone to tend to any issues. When the time comes for me to work on it, I just sit down at my computer. No big deal.

And that's the lessons I've learned in 2026 regarding tech use. Do you agree? Disagree? I'm happy to hear your thoughts however you want to reach out to me.

Thanks, Jacob