march 2025 chat

[milo_r]

Offline activity suggestion: try to go as long as it's possible/safe for you without looking at your GPS, next time you're going somewhere. Or, easier mode: try navigating using a physical map and not your phone.

Whoops, already missed the first month 🫠 I'd like to say it's because I was very offline, but that only applied to the first half of February for me, alas.

Use this post for things that for whatever reason you feel don't warrant their own post, like:

• small vents about how every bar know wants you to scan a QR code for the drink list
• quick questions/requests for recs
• all barely on-topic chit chat

Comments

[milo_r]

here because it's got definitely too much personal stuff for its own post --

some personal stuff happened for me mid-feb which meant i really struggled with digital minimalism -- i don't think i have trouble entertaining myself without devices when i have a good store of energy, but what's left to do when you're in a really low mood save for watching TV (and reading, if i have a good book at hand)?

on the plus side, i also didn't really want to speak to anyone, so it was easy to keep using my flip instead of my smartphone, but i broke this resolution last week when travelling out of town. it was just too tempting to be able to bring one less item along and i needed ease of access to travel/booking apps unless i wanted to give myself a migraine.

[matsushima]

I know that buying another electronic device is sort of the opposite of "minimalism" but I've been thinking about purchasing an e-ink ereader so I can read without the temptation of flipping to different apps. (I have migraines and poor eyesight so the adjustable text size is a must; the print in most paper books is too small for me to comfortably read for more than a few minutes at a time.)

I'd like to avoid Kindle, if possible. What's good? Kobo? Something else? I'd really like something waterproof so I can read in the bath.

[milo_r]

i think most brands have a waterproof model nowadays. i love my kobo, i have one that's over 10 years old which has obviously slowed down but not to the point of unusability -- depending on where you live and whether you care about a well-integrated library catalogue/store another brand might make more sense though. if you just care about dumping a bunch of epub files you got somewhere else on it then picking the cheapest waterproof option is the way to go, i think.

you can also look into buying refurbished/secondhand if sustainability is a concern. my experience of them lasting forever seems to be pretty standard among e-reader owners anyway.

[grayestofghosts]

I recently got a kobo libra color and I would recommend it over a kindle. The thing about kobo is that they're very nicely integrated with Overdrive so depending on where you're located you should be able to get library books directly from your device, and sideloading is easy with dropbox and Google drive (and I know there are some other ways to do it but haven't tested them yet). You also don't have to pay extra to not have ads, and you can upload custom screensavers if you want... and yes, it's quite waterproof.

In terms of disadvantages, you don't get access to the Kindle Unlimited stuff, but I am unconvinced this is a great loss.

I was looking at alternatives to kindle/kobo and the problem I've seen with many of them is that they essentially just run android, which isn't made to work well with an e-ink screen unless it is significantly pared down. So yes you can read from any app on a Boox ereader but a lot of said reading apps just don't work well because they are expecting a more responsive screen, and if your aim is to keep from flipping between apps it might not be the best thing. However the Boox Palma is popular due to its unique form factor, and I'm sure there are others worth looking at.

I agree it's not "minimalist" but I'm starting to appreciate one-function devices more. Though TBH a lot of what I am using my kobo for is fanfiction these days.

[haitangkitty]

I've managed to do less mindless scrolling and instead spent more of my time watching videos and reading articles for research purposes. But I still spend too much time scrolling and getting angry over stupid discourse and the current politics...

One big improvement I've done in terms of my creativity is that I started writing on my notebook. I can't seem to do creative writing online anymore. Too many distractions and I'm just unable to create. I've picked up a habit of going to my local bar with my notebook and I've really enjoyed it. I think I also might have to leave the house in order for me to pick up reading again. Luckily I have a very nice library nearby.

I also recently unsubscribed from multiple streaming services. I decided I'd rather to spend my money on going to cinemas,concerts,museums, and theater.

[milo_r]

having an all-purpose analog planner has also helped me immensely. i get less distracted and i think it helps clear my head more than using my laptop.

[grayestofghosts]

I've been trying to use my GPS less but the last time I didn't use it and ended up on the other side of town somehow despite the place I was at being literally a straight line from my house. I'm really not sure how it happened. What's weird is that I can navigate pretty well on foot but as soon as I'm in a car, all bets are off.

[milo_r]

oof, i don't drive but i get lost like that when walking. i'm sure i'm one of those people who'd have a terrible sense of directions regardless of gps but one reason i've been trying to navigate without maps is that i'm sure i'm exacerbating the problem by always referencing.

[tozka]

Using paper maps is actually really fun when you're sightseeing, too. I always try to stop by a tourist info center and get a map or two, and I ask the staff to mark down things they recommend (esp. restaurants). I'm not quite brave enough to navigate public transit without a map app, however.

[xmarksthespotwhereistand]

I usually check the route before on an online map and then go, I don't know what that counts for. It is actually not that easy to find paper maps anymore, to my regret.
Another thing is when I am looking for a shop and it is inside a huge map and GPS usually can find locations inside a building while paper maps don't deal with this. (Same goes for underground locations, I think.) I guess, that's when asking for directions comes in.