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.