From Lost in Tech to Found in Focus
I was immersed in technology, running on autopilot—until I made one drastic decision that changed everything. This is how I reclaimed my attention and built a more intentional life.
We avoid friction at all costs in today’s world—everything is designed for instant feedback, effortless engagement, and constant stimulation. I was fully caught up in this cycle, living life on default. Tech independence wasn’t even a concept I had considered. I was obsessed with technology—to the point that I was serving it rather than it serving me.
Something felt off. My intuition told me: This isn’t how it’s supposed to be. I wanted to live a focused life, one built around my own goals—not dictated by the demands of a screen.
That’s when I turned to pen and paper.
I stripped away digital tools and embraced simplicity. I deliberately introduced friction, creating mental space where my thoughts were my own—no endless notifications competing for my attention. This decision felt extreme at the time, but I saw no other way forward. And looking back, it was the pivotal moment that set everything else in motion.
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Life Imbalance
I had an intuitive sense that balance existed—but I wasn’t living it. There are three core areas of life:
Health – I was doing okay, but I knew I needed to move more.
Wealth (or Work) – I was making progress, but at the cost of working too much.
Relationships – My connections were largely digital, and I struggled to find where tech fit into my real-life interactions.
It became clear: technology was influencing all three areas, and it wasn’t balanced. That’s when I decided—it was time for a drastic change. I ditched all tech.
Attention: The Most Valuable Resource
I never treated attention as something worth protecting. But as I stepped away from tech, I realized that if I wanted to accomplish anything in life, I needed to reclaim my focus.
By removing distractions, I finally gave my attention the value it deserved. Writing my thoughts down helped me connect more deeply with myself and clarify what truly mattered. I also noticed that a lot of what I was doing wasn’t aligned with what I actually wanted—it was just the result of not saying no.
Offloading: Creating Mental Space
Every thought, idea, or task that came to mind—I wrote it down. My priority was regaining focus, and having a central place for all my thoughts was key. No more scattered information across different apps and tools. The simplest system was the best: a single notebook.
Unlike digital tools, a notebook doesn’t demand your attention—it simply holds it. That was a game-changer.
Reflection: The Power of Pausing
It’s one thing to capture ideas—it’s another to reflect on them. I realized I needed a habit of regular reflection to refine my priorities and ensure I was acting intentionally.
I started small: setting an alarm at the end of each day, week, and month to check in with myself. I kept it simple—no apps, no automation—just a consistent habit.
This process helped me reframe my thinking, focus on what truly mattered, and, most importantly, learn to say no.
The Turning Point
Day by day, my focus improved. My life became more intentional. I became less afraid to say no—to distractions, to unnecessary obligations, to technology that wasn’t serving me.
But here’s the key: We can’t say no to technology unless we first say yes to ourselves.
The moment I made that shift, everything changed.
The choice is yours. Are you ready to become Free With Tech?
If this journey resonates with you, I invite you to take the next step: Sign the Free With Tech Manifesto.
The manifesto is a declaration of tech independence—a commitment to using technology on your terms, not the other way around. By signing, you're not just agreeing with an idea; you're joining a movement toward reclaiming control over your digital life.