Tech
What’s in My Digital Life: The Apps, Gadgets, and Habits That Keep Me Sane
Between endless notifications, overflowing inboxes, and the pressure to always be “on,” our digital lives can quietly become our biggest source of stress. But they don’t have to be. With the right mix of tools, habits, and boundaries, tech can actually create more calm than chaos. Here’s a peek inside the apps, gadgets, and digital rituals I rely on to stay productive, clear-headed, and (mostly) sane in the noise of everyday life.
1. A Calendar That Does the Heavy Lifting
My digital calendar is the central command center. Everything—work deadlines, dentist appointments, workouts, even “do nothing” blocks—lives there. I color-code different categories (work, personal, rest) to see balance at a glance, and I use recurring reminders to stay on track without relying on memory.
It’s not just about being busy—it’s about being intentional with time.
2. Noise-Canceling Headphones (aka My Focus Shield)
Working from home or in shared spaces means distractions are everywhere. My noise-canceling headphones (Sony WH-1000XM5s) are a mental boundary in gadget form. They help me tune out background noise and mentally clock in for deep work—or just unwind with a podcast.
Bonus: they’re a signal to others that I’m not available for small talk.
3. A Note-Taking App That Actually Gets Used
I’ve tried them all, but I keep coming back to Notion. It’s flexible enough to house my to-do lists, journal entries, article drafts, and meal plans without feeling overwhelming. I use it like a digital brain—organized chaos that somehow makes sense to me.
It’s always synced, always searchable, and always open in a tab.
4. Phone Widgets That Limit the Doomscroll
Instead of letting my phone dictate my mood, I’ve turned the home screen into a calm zone. No social media on page one. Instead, I use widgets for the weather, calendar, and a “screen time” reminder. I also have a shortcut that auto-activates Do Not Disturb during work hours.
It’s like feng shui for my phone.
5. A Daily Digital Wind-Down Ritual
Evenings are when digital life can blur into burnout. I set a screen time cutoff—usually around 9 PM—and switch to analog activities like reading or stretching. I also use the iPhone’s “Wind Down” mode, which dims the screen, silences notifications, and helps my brain shift gears.
It’s a small boundary, but it’s made a huge difference in my sleep and focus.
6. Cloud Sync + Password Manager = Sanity Saver
Having everything backed up (Google Drive + iCloud combo) and secured with a password manager like 1Password means I rarely lose anything or waste time resetting accounts. It’s invisible peace of mind that frees up energy for things that actually matter.
Summary
Curated, Not Chaotic
My digital life isn’t perfect—but it’s curated. Every app, gadget, and habit is there for a reason. It’s not about doing more with tech, but doing better. When you’re intentional with your digital tools, they become anchors—not distractions.
