What Technology Are You Better Off Without?

Everywhere you look, you’ll see gadgets, apps, and digital conveniences; it’s easy to feel like every piece of technology is essential. For many of us, tech supports our work, our learning, our communication, and even our creativity. But not every tool is actually useful or helpful… or needed. When I look closely at my own habits and routines, I find two categories of technology I could happily live without: video games, and over-engineered “smart” gadgets that solve problems no one really has.

Video games are the one form of tech I wouldn’t miss if they disappeared tomorrow. Many people enjoy them but I’d rather read a book. 

The other unnecessary tech? Fancy gadgets that overcomplicate life. Refrigerators with TV screens so I can stream a show or check what’s inside my fridge? I can spare the extra second to open the door. And we already have smartphones and tablets to stream videos. Watching my fridge is overkill.

Everything else, though, plays a meaningful role in my day-to-day life. Computers and phones keep my business running through virtual meetings, calendars, photo organization, restaurant menu previews, navigation to places, and quick calculations. YouTube has become a personal classroom for learning languages and new skills. And AI has become an essential partner for speeding up foundational research, streamlining tasks, and helping me work more efficiently.

In the end, the best technology isn’t the flashiest. It’s the tech that keeps you going from day to day.

Daily writing prompt
What technology would you be better off without, why?
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Happy Halloween!

Halloween is the perfect time to unleash your creativity and enjoy a little spooky fun. I like checking out how people have decorated their houses, and what costumes children wear as they go trick-or-treating. I’ve also gone through corn mazes and visited pumpkin farms!

Some honor Samhain (the ancient Celtic festival of Halloween) by lighting a candle for ancestors, creating a small altar with natural items such as leaves, stones, and seasonal foods, or by enjoying a quiet moment outdoors to reflect on the turning of the year.

Check out the video I made for some Halloween wishes!

Returning to the Present and the Past

If I could relive any age or year, I would pick several ages and years from my life. I had some great years when everything went right, from my job to my personal life. I’ve also had great ages when I reached a milestone, like being old enough to do things. But I also think we often remember the past as better than it really was, so my favorite year might not be as great if I relived it. 

It’s a bit like visiting a restaurant for the first time. The food tastes incredible, the atmosphere is memorable, and the company brings wonderful conversation. But when you go back to that place, even with the same people, hoping to recreate that same magic, it rarely feels the same. 

If I truly could go back, I’m sure I’d find that those idealized years weren’t as perfect as I remember. I’ve changed. What thrilled me at twenty might not satisfy me now. Sure, I might regain youthful energy or experience that sense of newness, but I’d lose other things — wisdom, stability, and the deeper appreciation that comes with experience.So while it’s tempting to wish for a do-over, I think the best time to live is always now. The present moment, fleeting as it is, holds the potential to become a future great memory. Instead of reliving the past, maybe the real goal is to live so fully today that one day, when we look back, we won’t wish to return — we’ll simply be grateful we were there.

Daily writing prompt
Is there an age or year of your life you would re-live?
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Your life without a computer: what does it look like?

Life without a computer would be drastically different, almost unrecognizable compared to what I’m used to now. So much of my daily routine revolves around instant access to information, entertainment, and connection that removing the computer feels like stepping back in time.

For starters, there would be no more YouTube for entertainment. That means no endless videos to relax with, no tutorials to learn from, and no music playlists to stream. In fact, without a computer, I’d have no music at all, unless I went back to CDs or live performances. Reading would also be limited—I wouldn’t have easy access to articles, blogs, or ebooks.

Staying connected overseas would disappear too. No more instant chats, video calls, or social updates with friends and family abroad. Immediate news updates would also vanish. Instead of knowing what’s happening almost instantly, I’d be stuck waiting for newspapers or the evening news.

Research would be exhausting. Instead of typing a question into a search bar and getting an instant answer (like how historically accurate is that movie?), I’d have to make trips to the library. Worse, if I got home and realized I wanted to look up something else, I’d have to go back again. That kind of delay makes learning far less spontaneous.

Everyday conveniences would vanish as well. No maps to check locations before going there, traffic updates to avoid traffic congestion, or online menus to help you decide if you want to go to that restaurant. No online shopping to confirm whether a store has what I need—I’d have to go there in person just to find out if they have what I’m looking for.

Even hobbies would suffer. I don’t have the patience to handwrite stories. By the time I finish one sentence, my mind has already moved to the next idea. Computers let me type quickly, insert links, and organize research on the spot. Without them, creativity feels trapped in slow motion. So life without a computer wouldn’t be as exciting!

Daily writing prompt
Your life without a computer: what does it look like?
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Work Smarter, Not Harder: Best Piece of Advice Ever Received

It took a while for the well-known phrase “work smarter, not harder” to sink into my brain years after I’d first heard it. I get it now: the words are about focusing on efficiency and getting better results without burning out. But when I was younger, I used to think that working longer hours and keeping very busy would yield better results. That was really stupid because it was a recipe for burnout. Yet that’s what we’re taught in school. 

They say, get good grades, then get a job working 40 hours a week so you can retire at 65 is the ideal formula for success in life. But when I started to study business, I started to hear “work smarter, not harder” and identify the few actions that create the greatest impact. This principle is the 80/20 rule: 80% of results often come from 20% of effort. It’s not saying “be lazy.” It’s saying to use your time wisely.

Technology also plays a vital role. Automation tools, project management apps, and AI assistants reduce repetitive work, freeing up time for higher-value thinking (and eating and watching TV so you’re not burned out). Rather than slogging through routine tasks, you can dedicate energy to problem-solving, creativity, and decision-making.

Another key element is leveraging strengths. Working smarter doesn’t mean avoiding hard work altogether. It means putting your effort where your skills shine brightest. (Like spending more time on your favorite subjects when you were in school. Now that’s fun!) 

In the end, working smarter is about asking: Is this task worth my time? Is there an easier, faster, or better way? The goal isn’t to avoid effort, but to maximize it. Then you achieve more in less time with far less stress!

Daily writing prompt
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
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