Adopt a philosophy of tech use so tools serve your values

Most people add apps because they seem useful in the moment, then wake up months later wondering why they feel rushed and scattered. A simple philosophy flips that script. Start by writing five values you want more of—maybe unrushed meals with family, fewer anxious nights, a healthier body, real progress on a skill. The paper feels rough under your pen, and that matters. It slows you down enough to see what’s actually important, not what the glowing rectangle insists is urgent.

Next, inventory your tools. List the sites, apps, and devices that fill your days. Mark how long you spend and how they make you feel. One small anecdote: a designer thought Twitter “helped with trends,” but her log showed 7 hours a week and a constant edgy buzz. She replaced it with a 30‑minute Friday scan of three curated newsletters, and the buzz dropped. I might be wrong, but most of us have a few of these hidden leaks.

Then apply a three‑question screen to each tool. Does it directly support a deep value? Is it the best way to do so? What explicit rules will constrain its use? “Directly” is a high bar. Liking friends’ photos isn’t the same as being a present friend. If a tool fails, drop it or swap it for a better method. If it passes, write operating procedures that specify when, where, and how you’ll engage. These rules shift the tool from attention thief to loyal assistant.

Finally, schedule a two‑week review. Procedures are living documents, not stone tablets. If a rule feels too tight, adjust it. If an app keeps breaking your rules, let it go. The shift you’ll notice isn’t just time saved. It’s a steadier mind and the relief of deciding once. In behavioral science terms, you’re moving from ad hoc choices (high decision fatigue) to identity‑based rules (low friction), and you’re shrinking ambiguity, a big driver of anxiety and overuse.

Define five core values and use them as your North Star. Inventory every app, site, and device you use, including weekly hours and how each one makes you feel. Run each through a strict screen: it must directly serve a value, be the best way to do so, and have clear operating procedures for when, where, and how you’ll use it. Write those rules in plain language and keep them visible. Two weeks from today, review what worked, what didn’t, and either tighten rules or uninstall. Treat this like tuning a bike, not a one‑time purge. Give it a try tonight.