If you could go back in time, even just 20 years, and compare what life was like then to what it’s like now, you’d probably still be surprised by just how quickly technology became so ubiquitous.
Tech in all its forms is truly present in virtually all aspects of our lives. It’s there when we wake up in the morning. It’s how we stay connected with friends and family members. Most industries depend on it. Even purchasing a home makes your information easily discoverable through modern skip tracing techniques. The list goes on and on.
Because of this, many people are experiencing what has become known as “tech burnout”—there’s too much, too often, and they can’t take it. As a result, they’re seeking refuge in life “off-grid.”
Of course, this demands the question – is living off-grid even possible in the fast-paced digital world that we’re now living in? Is it truly possible to “disappear,” or at least to minimize your technology fingerprint as much as possible? Escaping the constant notifications, screen time, and digital demands isn’t necessarily impossible… but it does require you to keep a few key things in mind along the way.
The Benefits of Stepping Back From Technology
One of the biggest benefits of stepping back from technology is the reduced stress and enhanced mental clarity that you’ll almost immediately see.
Again – that’s not to say that technology or being connected to the outside world is inherently “bad.” It’s just that most people literally check their phones within moments of waking up. We see thousands upon thousands of advertisements alone on a daily basis. If someone needs to contact us, they can do it in a matter of seconds. The technology that took men to the moon in the 1960s is not nearly as strong as the smartphone you have in your pocket all day.
All this is to say that there truly can be “too much of a good thing” in this scenario. If you’re getting bombarded with information consistently without any opportunity to take a breath or really think for yourself, you’re bound to get stressed and anxious at some point. Keep in mind that this is during normal periods – to say nothing of how difficult things can become when something major is happening in the world.
Your attention is also being pulled in so many directions that it’s hard to focus on any particular thing. Critical thinking becomes an uphill battle because you don’t have the bandwidth to focus on the sheer volume of tasks in front of you.
Yes, there is something of a practical challenge that comes with maintaining a sustainable lifestyle away from technology and other urban conveniences. You’ll almost certainly begin to realize just how much we’ve all collectively taken for granted. But you’ll also have more mental and emotional energy available to address the challenges that you now face. Soon, you’ll be able to settle into your new approach to off-grid living, and you’ll probably feel like you’ve come out all the better because of it.
How Technology Can Still Play a Supportive Role in Our Lives
For the sake of argument, say that it isn’t actually possible to live fully “off-grid” in that you’re always going to be connected to some facet of technology. Even if you aren’t dialed into various social media networks, there are still parts of your life that you won’t be able to disconnect fully.
Off-grid enthusiasts can still stay connected—in moderation, of course—through renewable energy solutions and smart farming techniques.
Solar panels can power your home, for example. This is a great way to maintain that technological connection without negatively impacting your life. Pair that with the use of energy-efficient appliances like LED lighting, and you’ve gone a long way toward minimizing your electrical footprint as much as possible.
Smart farming techniques take the same basic concepts and ratchet things up to the next level. Automated irrigation systems, for example, are solar-powered irrigation systems that use intricate sensors to monitor moisture levels. That’s a way to practice sustainability while still living as much off-grid as possible.
The same is true of the types of Internet of Things (IoT) enabled sensors used to monitor everything from humidity to soil pH. Farmers can stay connected to modern farming networks, access critical agricultural information, and more—all while technically being off-grid.
Closing Thoughts
In the end, so many people are asking, “Can a balance be struck between embracing off-grid living and maintaining essential connections in our tech-driven world?” is certainly nothing new. For as long as technology has been around, people have been trying to escape from it in one form or another.
The key thing to remember is that the realistic answer to that question—and what it actually looks like when executed—will vary depending on the individual. Just as technology is malleable, so is the life we create when we choose to live as off-grid as possible.
Some just want to escape the constant barrage of push notifications and advertisements that seem to follow them all day long. They want to establish boundaries so they don’t feel constantly connected from the second they wake up to the moment they go to bed. Others want to completely disconnect and return to a way of life that hasn’t existed in decades.
Regardless of which approach you actually want to take, the most crucial thing to understand is that it is possible. It will often come down to a matter of perspective, and your success will largely be dictated by your ability to stick to your goals, but it is something you can accomplish. You just need to never lose sight of the goal you’ve set out for yourself.
