Creating Offline Consistency

Steps to a Balanced Life

Just a few updates to catch you up. I've been working on the Dumbphone Finder, which now features a comparison engine! Additionally, there are several new interviews lined up for release on the podcast. Can't wait for you to hear them. Moving Offline is continuing to grow, so if it's something that brings you value, and you have the financial ability to do so, please consider supporting the work :).

Introduction

I have three friends who have been running a small co-working and cultural third space in Denver for the past few months. Observing the impact they're making makes you wonder about the recipe for their success. Some might attribute it to their focus on creating experiences where people have fun, encounter new happenings, and connect with one another. Others could say it's the fresh energy of a new business or the serendipity of relationships that blossom in a new space hosting creative events.

But I believe their success comes down to two ingredients that most New Year's resolutions lack: a manageable goal and a focus on consistency. The New Year often brings a surge of energy, with people feeling excited to take on fresh challenges and improve their lives. However, by the end of January, most New Year's resolutions are abandoned. The main culprits? Goals that are too ambitious and a lack of consistency. These factors account for most failures in achieving personal goals. The digital minimalism space is no exception. It's crucial to focus on creating offline consistency to recover our humanity and pave a path forward for ourselves and our loved ones.

Photo by Danielle Cerullo on Unsplash

Manageable Goals

When I started on the digital minimalism path, my average screen time was a staggering 13 hours a day. From 2016 to 2019, I attempted multiple digital detoxes, but each time, I reverted to that dreadful number once the detox period ended. These attempts often involved abstinence or willpower exercises that promised to make me more resilient against temptation. I tried everything from lockboxes and the Light Phone 2 to the flip phone method and shock devices, which was all the rage during those years. None of these methods worked for me because they focused on extreme swings between constant connectivity and the idealized balance life I craved. Moreover, I wanted this lifestyle immediately, rather than embracing a slow progression. It was like being the guy at the gym who, on his first day, wanted to squat 400 lbs and bench 250 lbs.

Over time, I’ve learned my lesson, and I hope you do as well. Achieving your goals in life requires a step-by-step approach. To replace the habit of doom scrolling, start by establishing a manageable goal that you can achieve every day for a month to combat the undesired behavior. Once you've successfully established a positive pattern, move on to the next stage and practice it for another month until it becomes a sustainable habit.

I began my journey with my mornings. My first step was to leave my phone outside of the bedroom, so it wouldn’t be the first thing I touched when I woke up. Gradually, I started to set aside a minimum amount of time with no screen usage to focus on other activities like eating breakfast, exercising, and creating a better morning routine. There have been days when I needed to log on to check on a project or start my day in front of a screen earlier than I’d like, but those instances are the exception, not the norm. Typically, I wake up around 6 AM and don’t start checking emails or engaging with a screen until around 9 AM. These 3 hours have helped me to start the morning well regulated and focusing on health instead of the barrage of notifications and emails from the day before.

As James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, aptly states, “What you repeatedly do (i.e., what you spend time thinking about and doing each day) ultimately forms the person you are.” Therefore, it's crucial to begin with easy and satisfying tasks before progressing to more advanced goals. I highly recommend you take a look into his book and articles on habit formation to create sustainable goals that deliver the most value to your life.

Photo by Abderrahmane Meftah on Unsplash

Consistency

I already hinted at this, but consistency is the other key component of achieving and sustaining your goals. However, let me offer a caveat: If you are consistently using the wrong ingredients, you cannot expect to deliver a sumptuous crème brûlée. It’s essential to strike the right balance of connectivity in your life to create the offline lifestyle you desire. If you keep gravitating towards screen-based activities while aiming to be consistent in offline pursuits, progress cannot happen. If your goal is to move offline, you need to adopt an environment and tools that support these efforts.

In my experience, having designated device-free zones, filling my house with books in lounging areas, and owning a dumbphone have all been instrumental in keeping distractions at bay. These elements promote an environment where offline consistency can thrive and be prioritized. Once you have the necessary elements for an offline lifestyle, it's time to use the manageable goal principle and marry the two. For example, if your goal is to attend more offline events this year, start by scheduling them early. Don't be too ambitious, perhaps aim for one gathering per month that supports your social health before increasing the dose.

The secret to being consistent is to engage in activities that are rewarding and that make you crave more due to their positive effects. This is why people attend church, parties, or group gatherings. They satisfy a craving for connection and shared values, encouraging people to return for more. Furthermore, these activities create patterns in your life that you don't want to break. The same concept applies to going to the gym. Initially, it might feel awkward, but the more you attend, the better you feel and the more connections you make. Find what brings you joy and immerse yourself in it. The rewards will be incredible.

Conclusion

So this 2025, if your desire is to create more offline consistency, start by placing the right elements in your house, creating manageable goals, and delivering amazing experiences on a pattern. You may encounter tougher months and unexpected hurdles, but you can succeed by setting achievable goals and maintaining a steady flow to reach them.

That's why The Company, the third space I mentioned earlier, thrives. They aimed to create a space for people to flourish in small, consistent ways. Not too ambitious or sporadic, but with the right amount of connectivity for every week.