My Journey to Becoming Free With Tech
I broke free from tech’s grip by resetting with journaling, embracing digital minimalism, and reclaiming my data. Now, I help others take back control. Will you own your tech or let it own you?
Introduction
I created Free With Tech (FWT) to name and shape an idea that I’ve seen floating around the internet and in daily conversations—an idea I’ve personally struggled with and eventually overcame using the core principles of this philosophy.
Modern technology is designed to demand our attention, keeping us distracted unless we take control. But I didn’t fully understand the extent of this control until I found myself constantly reaching for my phone—out of habit, not intention. One day, I caught myself opening an app I didn’t even care about, just because it was there. That moment hit me hard. Technology wasn’t just a tool in my life—it was running my life.
But what if we could break free from that cycle? What if we could use technology intentionally—on our own terms?
That’s what Free With Tech is all about. Many people have already achieved this freedom, yet few share how they got there. This is my personal journey to becoming Free With Tech—something many believe is impossible, but I’m here to prove otherwise.
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Why?
Like many people today, I relied on digital tools to keep my life on track. My to-do list was always up to date, my calendar meticulously planned, and I had every social media account to make sure I didn’t miss out on anything. I was organized—but despite that, I wasn’t achieving my goals. My social media feeds were full, but real connection was missing.
Something had to change.
I took a radical step and stripped away the technology that was standing between me and a fulfilling life. I started over with a blank sheet of paper in a new journal. No apps, no notifications—just me, my thoughts, and the essentials. My tasks, my calendar, and my reflections all lived in that journal.
I didn’t know it at the time, but this was the beginning of something much bigger. What started as a personal experiment became a new way of living—one that led me here today, sharing a framework that can help others reclaim control over technology and use it intentionally.
Journaling Was My Reset Button
I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating—today’s technology is designed to distract us by default. If we want it to serve us instead, we have to put in the effort to make that happen. That’s exactly what I set out to do after stripping everything away and starting simple.
For years, I was deeply immersed in digital tools, adding more and more in an attempt to improve my life—yet I still felt unfulfilled. I realized that if I was going to use modern tech, it needed to work for me, not the other way around. The hard truth is that, more often than not, we are the product of Big Tech. That’s why reclaiming control isn’t the default—we have to be intentional about setting boundaries.
My first step? Writing everything by hand.
At first, it felt inconvenient—after all, we’ve been trained to avoid friction by using apps that promise instant solutions. But this friction turned out to be a gift. It forced me to slow down and question whether something was really important. I developed a habit of creating space between a thought and a decision, allowing me to make more deliberate choices—especially when it came to technology.
The beauty of paper is its silence. It doesn’t notify, distract, or demand attention. Unlike digital tools, which are designed to pull us in, paper simply exists—ready when we need it. It may lack computing power, but its simplicity is its greatest strength. It was the perfect tool to reset my relationship with technology.
How Self-Awareness Led Me to Digital Minimalism
At the time, I didn’t realize it, but my decision to simplify had just defined the first fundamental principle of Free With Tech: Self-Awareness.
Journaling became more than just a tool—it was a system for capturing, reflecting, reframing, and acting. I started paying closer attention to my habits, emotions, time, and even my expenses. Where was it all going? Without the convenience of digital automation, I had to track everything manually, which forced me to be fully present with my choices.
Over time, I began to notice unnecessary friction—areas where analog methods slowed me down without adding value. This set the stage for the next evolution: Digital Minimalism.
When you start from self-awareness, digital minimalism becomes the natural next step. You’re already intentional about your digital choices, which means adopting a minimalist approach to technology happens almost effortlessly.
Incremental Adoption of Digital Tools
As I reintroduced digital tools into my life, I had one clear priority: I didn’t want to fall back into mindless technology use. Every tool had to serve a purpose. What problem was this app actually solving?
The first digital tool I found necessary was a calendar. Managing events on paper quickly became impractical, so I brought back a digital calendar—this time with full awareness of its role in my life. I knew exactly what it was for and what kind of information it should store.
Social media, on the other hand, was something I didn’t miss at all. The endless stream of updates from “friends” added no real value to my life. Instead, I realized that personal connection mattered far more to me. Rather than replacing real conversations with endless back-and-forth texting, I prioritized in-person meetings or voice calls. One app for direct conversations was enough.
This shift in perspective changed everything. Presence became my first priority—something that was once natural before the smartphone revolution but has become rare in our generation. By using technology intentionally, I reclaimed something that modern tech had slowly eroded.
How Digital Minimalism Led Me to Tech Independence
Once I had established clear boundaries through intentional, incremental adoption of digital tools, a new realization emerged: It wasn’t just about what function a tool served, but how that function was being provided.
I began questioning my digital footprint—something deeply personal yet often treated as a commodity. Who holds my data? Where does it go? Can they sell it? Is it truly private? I wanted to be free, but I started seeing how many services were designed to lock me into their ecosystems. Was there a way to break free from that control?
At this stage, things got truly interesting. Once I had focus, I could shift toward regaining control—the very control that big tech tries to take from us.
I started by backing up my data regularly, which led to a crucial discovery: just how much information was being collected about me. This awareness sharpened my understanding of privacy. I tested exporting my data and quickly realized that some services made it nearly impossible. If a tool didn’t allow me to take my data with me, I saw it for what it was—a trap. So, I cut those services out of my life.
Next, I made sure to diversify my tools instead of relying on a single provider. This naturally led me toward open-source alternatives, which gave me true ownership over my digital life.
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.