Reclaiming rhythm and control : - Practising digital minimalism in a speeding society

Abstract: Many individuals in late modern society share experiences of an accelerating pace of life, time scarcity, and a pressure to keep up with the fast pace of change as well as a necessity to stay digitally connected. As a reaction to this, some individuals engage in attempts to disconnect from the online world and their digital devices as they seek to regain control and slow down the pace in life. This study examines deliberate disconnection through the experiences of individuals who engage in digital minimalism, referring to intentional, voluntary practices of paring back on technology in a long-term perspective. The purpose of the study was to explore challenges and benefits, and more specifically, to identify underlying motives and strategies for adopting digital minimalist practices. Analysing the above process, the thesis investigates also how these practices were negotiated over time and in what way motives were related to conscious counteraction of the overwhelming paste of contemporary life. The analysis was focused on the use of smartphones in everyday life. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven individuals adopting digital minimalist practices. The empirical data was analysed using concepts from Hartmut Rosa’s theory of social acceleration. The results from the study pointed out that digital minimalist practice was motivated in a strive to either reclaim or preserve control and rhythm. In line with this, motives were based in a strive to counteract unintentional actions, and therefore strategies mainly concerned attempts to increase the threshold to engage with the smartphone. Experience was marked by benefits of reclaiming control over time which fostered well-being, increased attention to social relations in real life and confidence, but also marked by challenges and ambivalence as the individuals struggled maintaining their strategies. Engaging in digital minimalism fostered those strategies and beliefs to be (re)negotiated as certain circumstances and shifts in life fostered digital availability to a higher degree.