Edit Your Life Episode 96: Downgrading Your Life
We upgrade tools and gadgets to improve or simplify our lives. But in an eye-opening New York Times Magazine piece, editor Pamela Paul pointed out that constant newness and “feature clutter” can actually increase overwhelm. She went on to talk about how her intentional “downgrading” helped lend balance to her already sped-up life.
In Episode 96 of Edit Your Life, Asha and I discuss Pamela’s piece, talk about what mindful downgrading looks like in our lives, and share 6 tips for how to push back against upgrade pressure, how (or whether) to spend your upgrade budget, and how to advocate for your choices at work and at home.
Click “play” above to listen. If the player isn’t visible, listen directly at SoundCloud.com, or use a podcast app on your phone or tablet. Not sure how? Click here for directions.
Resources mentioned in this episode
- Save Your Sanity, Downgrade Your Life by Pamela Paul (the piece that inspired this podcast)
- Minimalist Parenting (Christine and Asha’s book...which inspired this podcast)
- Sur La Table Citrus Reamer
- Nalgene water bottles (what Christine stores in her broken microwave oven)
- Reflective ankle bands (one of Asha’s fitness safety upgrades)
- Black Diamond Sprinter Headlamp (Another fitness safety upgrade; great when you walk or run when it’s dark outside)
- The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
- Related episode: Episode 21: Say Yes to Saying No
- Related episode: Episode 66: Women, Networking + Money (interview with Morra Aarons-Mele)
- Hiding in the Bathroom (Morra’s new book)
Question Of The Week
What’s one thing you’ve either intentionally downgraded, or wish you hadn’t upgraded? Join the discussion on the Edit Your Life Facebook page (look for the Question Of The Week post).
Get In Touch
- Email us at edityourlifeshow@gmail.com
- Talk to us on Instagram or Twitter using #EditYourLifeShow
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Catch up on previous episodes
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