Updated: December 30, 2025
Technology is a gift. It has expanded our perspective from local to global, allows us to stay in touch with long-distance friends and family, and serves as a library of information. But there are also infinite reasons why technology can be a problem: alienation. Addiction. Anxiety. Depression. While systemic solutions—like holding corporations accountable and reforming policies are important, the limitless usage of technology in our daily lives is affecting our mental health right now.
This is where the concept of Digital Minimalism comes in. As Cal Newport defines it in his book Digital Minimalism, it is:
“A philosophy of technology use in which you focus your online time on a small number of carefully selected and optimized activities that strongly support things you value, and then happily miss out on everything else.”
In other words, digital minimalism isn’t about rejecting technology—it’s about making it work for you, rather than against you. You don’t have to be a strict digital minimalist to benefit from these strategies. Here are some tips for beginners in digital minimalism that I’ve used to reduce mindless time online while using technology to support what I value most.
1. Put Your Phone Away in a Drawer
Out of sight, out of mind? For me, it’s been highly effective. I try to limit my phone usage to 1–2 hours a day, and once I hit that limit, it goes in a drawer—sometimes in another room or on a different floor. At first, you might feel the urge to check it constantly, but soon enough, you forget it’s even there.
Try This: Start with 30 minutes a day without your phone in reach. Gradually increase as it feels comfortable. This method is one of the many digital minimalism beginner tips you can follow.
2. Don’t Check Electronics for the First Hour of the Day
Hit snooze. Wake up. Check email, Instagram, text messages… sound familiar? That routine wastes at least 20 minutes of my morning. Instead, I nourish myself first: open the curtains, make my bed, enjoy a healthy breakfast, journal, or take a brisk walk. The internet can wait, and starting the day disconnected has made a noticeable difference in my mood.
Try This: Choose one tech-free morning ritual that you genuinely enjoy, like sipping tea outside or journaling. This can be part of your beginner journey in digital minimalism.
3. Delete Apps After Use
Apps like Instagram are designed to keep you glued to your screen. Even after setting limits, I would often find myself ignoring reminders repeatedly. What works best? Delete the app after each use. Re-downloading it takes effort, which naturally reduces mindless scrolling. It feels odd at first, but it gives you the freedom to experience life first-hand rather than through your feed.
Digital Checklist:
- Identify apps that trigger endless scrolling
- Set a timer for app use
- Delete after each session
- Reassess weekly
4. Social Media-Free Weekends
Weekends are a perfect time to unplug. Instead of scrolling through feeds, take that hike you’ve been meaning to, meet a friend for coffee, or simply sit outside and enjoy the day. The likes, photos, and updates can wait—what matters is the real-world experience you give yourself.
Try This: Commit to one fully social-media-free day per weekend. Document your social-media-free day by keeping a journal or taking photos of your adventures. You will see how much better your life is when living fully present, rather than scrolling on social media. Indeed, this is one of the simplest tips for digital minimalism that beginners can follow.
5. Optimize Benefits, Subtract Negatives
Technology can either pull us away from what we value or help bring us closer to it. While it’s easy to get swept up in constant notifications, endless scrolling, and digital noise, you always have the option to return to the present moment. Incorporating tips for those new to digital minimalism can aid in focusing on what truly matters.
Digital minimalism isn’t about restriction or perfection. It’s about making small, intentional choices that create more space for calm, clarity, and connection so you have more energy for the life you actually want to live.
Use this simple checklist as a flexible guide, not a rulebook:
Digital Minimalism for Beginners Checklist
✅ Put your phone in a drawer during focused work or outdoor time
✅ Skip screens for the first hour after waking
✅ Delete social media apps after use
✅ Plan at least one screen-free activity this weekend
✅ Reflect on which technologies genuinely support your values
Start with just one. Notice how it feels. Over time, these small shifts can open the door to more presence, more ease, and more everyday adventures—both outdoors and in your own inner world.
Resource: Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport — a thoughtful guide to designing a more intentional relationship with technology.
Stay awhile.
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