"Notification" or not to "Notification"

    I love technology.  It is without a doubt my weakness from a purchase and potential clutter perspective.  Some people have cars, or suits, or shoes, I have tech.  Good tech gets me going and releases a decent amount of dopamine.  I’m focused on having the technology work for me and not the other way around.  Most of the time when we install an app on a device it asks us if we want to allow notifications.  DO NOT allow this as the default response!  I know this is controversial for some.  I have upset some “Group Me” or “WhatsApp“ groups that insist that I monitor all day long for messages.  “Manage Stuff and Love people” is something I believe in.  I definitely don’t believe in the reverse.  Anyway, notifications can be addictive and create a perception that you are doing something.       

   I do have some notifications.  Phone texts. Airline apps (for boarding type things), alerts from my bank, fitness apps, and delivery services are some examples.  I turn most everything else off.  Another tidbit, if you have a watch that is connected to your phone (e.g. Apple Watch), they can create even more notifications.  I go into the watch app and disable most except some of the examples I cited above.  
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    I ask you to go into your device(s) and find your top ten that you want to keep receiving notifications and disable the rest. Try it for just a few days and see how it feels.  You may instinctively be looking at your phone or wrist anticipating the notifications.  After a while you may  feel more free and in control.  Then you can put in your calendar time to check your device, respond, and post.  I know it is not super simple to do this, but trying one step at a time can get you back control of tech and your time.  I love technology!  

“Your time is your life!” - Winston