Unplugged: Reflections on Four Days Without My Laptop and the Surprising Productivity Lessons Learned

I was engrossed in watching my favorite Turkish TV series one night when my laptop suddenly went into sleep mode out of the blue. This happened a few times, and I received a system notification indicating that my laptop's battery needed service. So, the next day, I took my laptop, along with my dog Picasso, to the Apple store on Lincoln Street, and left the genius bar without my laptop. It felt strange, almost like dropping off my child at school for the first time.

As I went through this experience, I realized something important: I often feel guilty if I'm not on my computer. I had come to equate being on my computer with being productive. However, during those four days without my laptop, I learned that simply being on my computer doesn't necessarily mean I am accomplishing something worthwhile.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tasks you need to complete, to the point where you end up feeling like you have nothing to do and don't know where to start? Do you feel like your life is constantly running ahead of you, and you're always trying to catch up? Have you ever attended meetings that feel repetitive and unproductive?

During those four days without my laptop, I ended up downloading several productivity apps, such as Figma, Linkedin, Google Drive, Slack, and Clickup, onto my second phone, and worked using two iPhone screens. I noticed that Linkedin messages felt easier and smoother on mobile compared to desktop, and I felt more comfortable making the introductions I needed to do. Figma, on the other hand, made me realize once again how mobile experiences need to be designed differently, especially for design tools. I could only comment or read comments, and it felt like Canva was somewhat more mobile-friendly than Figma. Clickup, however, was slow to open documents, and I had to wait for it to load every time I went back and forth, which was not very efficient.

Despite these challenges, the situation forced me to step back and rely on my memory and strategize more effectively, rather than relying on Clickup, Google Docs, and other tools. By the fourth day, I not only completed some of the tasks I had been delaying, but I also came up with a great name for one of our businesses and gained clarity on some other issues. I also had other wins during this time, such as finally switching to Amazon Audible and finishing eight chapters of Dr. Peter Attia's book. On a personal level, my days seemed longer, and I was able to accomplish much more.

As I reflect on my experience without my laptop for four days, I am reminded of the complex relationship we have with technology. While it has undoubtedly made our lives more convenient and efficient in many ways, it's important to also be mindful of its potential drawbacks, such as dependency and potential brain fog. Rather than shunning technology altogether, perhaps we can find a healthy balance by occasionally unplugging, switching devices, and exploring different ways of doing things to enhance our productivity and gain fresh insights. Technology can be a valuable tool when used mindfully, and this experience has encouraged me to consider how I can harness its benefits while also being intentional about how and when I use it.

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