5 Ways to Live Well in a Digital World

We live in a constantly evolving digital world, with new technologies and ways of living. This also calls for progress in how we behave around these advances. Of course, our goal is to use new technologies to improve our quality of life, not the other way around.

That is why we have put together this article with some of the most important tips for organizing your digital life and improving your quality of life.

1. If you do not want to be disturbed, turn on “Do Not Disturb”

Since the earliest home phones, we have had a habit of criticizing anyone who calls at three in the morning, answering anyway but in a bad mood. Today, the world is highly globalized, so we increasingly interact with people in other time zones.

That is why we recommend turning on the “Do Not Disturb” mode built into your devices. Remember that you can enable it on automatic schedules and set exceptions, such as a call from your children.

2. If you want to send an instant message, make it just one!

The number of notifications we receive on our mobile devices each day is staggering, so we need to take control. Every notification creates a distraction, often a completely unnecessary one. These days, sending more than one instant message to communicate something can be considered inappropriate. If it is important enough to make someone's phone ring that many times, you could make a phone call, right?

Our recommendation is simple: if you are going to send an instant message, think, write, and then press send. Unfortunately, there is still no way to group notifications, but apps such as Telegram are introducing instant messages without notifications so recipients can read them when they have time.

3. Do not assume people are always connected

Have you ever received a WhatsApp message that simply says, “Hi, how are you?” To make instant messaging more efficient, send a message that includes some information, so the other person can help with what you need when they see it.

Ultimately, the goal of instant communication is to resolve topics quickly. And remember that voice messages exist; in some cases, they may be the easiest way to send a message.

4. Stay present

This is probably one of the issues causing the most problems today. Spending time with friends while having a lengthy conversation with someone who is not there is something you should avoid at all costs. The same applies in other situations: if you cannot be present at that moment, say so and look for another solution.

Studies have even shown that simply having a smartphone on the table negatively affects the interaction between the people gathered there. Remember that a conversation is not just about listening to what people say; there are many other things to pay attention to. Whether it is a work meeting or a family gathering, you will find the experience much more enjoyable if you give your full attention to what you are doing at that moment.

5. Do not call twice in a row

Unless it is a clear emergency, do not call the same person twice in quick succession. A missed call leaves a notification on the recipient's phone, so it is entirely reasonable to wait until they have a chance to return your call.

There is a solution for this too: if you are the person who cannot take the call, a useful step is to set up call rejection messages, such as “Hi, I'm in a meeting right now, but I'll get back to you later.” This helps reduce anxiety for the person trying to reach you.

What's more, declining a phone call is not disrespectful. If you cannot answer, it is perfectly fine to end the call so the caller does not waste time trying to reach you. When you decline a call, the caller sees a message such as “Line busy.” While sending a message when declining is ideal, you can also reject a call and return it later, though you run the risk of forgetting.

A few final thoughts

Every point above has exceptions and can be adapted to each person's circumstances. Ultimately, everyone has their own style and the right to make their own decisions.

With a little empathy, you can keep adapting to new technologies and live a fulfilling life without letting them get in the way. It has already been clearly demonstrated that your mobile phone affects nonverbal communication between people. What will you do about it?