5 Ways to Reconnect with Life’s Joys in a Tech-Obsessed World
Remember the golden-yellow sky on a summer evening, the smell of freshly cut grass, and the sound of the BBQ sizzling in the air? Our lives were lived outdoors, day and night, before technology took over every aspect of our existence. I recently came across a reel on Instagram that transported me back to the late 90s and early 2000s—pure nostalgia. As I scrolled through the comments, I saw things like “Simpler times back then,” “I miss this era,” “Before social media ruined everything,” and “These were the days.” I couldn’t help but feel the same way. My heart ached for those times, and I even felt homesick. Of course, every era has its challenges, but there’s something about this one that stands out to me, and from the comments I saw, I’m sure many others feel the same way.
There’s a deep craving for those simpler times—when we weren’t glued to screens, spent more time outdoors, or engaged in real-life connections. Instead of watching others live online, we focused on living our own lives. Instead of being consumers, we were creators. We learned how to think, not what to think. Time felt well-spent, not stolen. It wasn’t about choosing between the latest flashy, trendy, wellness, or slow-living lifestyles. It was about living life fully, in a grounded and authentic way. It had a cozy, homey essence. Connection, rhythm, and community were the foundation of our culture. It didn’t feel as restless as today, with endless decisions at our fingertips.
If I could equate it to anything, it would be peace: bliss. Freedom, even. From time to time, we still catch glimpses of that feeling—whether it’s a day spent on the lake or at the beach with no sense of time, a vacation with no cell service, getting lost in a puzzle, flowing in creativity, working hard in the garden with our hands in the dirt, or enjoying conversation around the table. But somehow, something still isn’t quite the same. And it makes me wonder—can we bring it back? Can we revive that feeling, somehow, daily?
While there’s no turning back the clock, I’ve been reflecting on five ways we can recapture that feeling of simplicity and presence in our daily lives—without cursing the technology that's here to stay or relying solely on standard practices like turning on Do Not Disturb. These small, intentional shifts can help us create a more fulfilling, grounded existence, even in today’s fast-paced world.
1. Get Busy
Funny advice, right? But hear me out: when you’re busy living your own life, there’s less time for consuming, scrolling, or being a passive participant in the digital "matrix" that often disconnects us from what’s happening in our real-world surroundings. I can attest to when I was caught in a comparison cycle, watching people live what seemed like picture-perfect lives online. It made me feel like everything I had wasn’t good enough. But then, I put my phone down, got to work on some long-overdue chores, and two hours later, after spreading mulch in the yard, grilling burgers, and sipping something refreshing while watching the sunset, I felt pretty damn good. At that moment, I’d forgotten all about the people I had been comparing myself to. Instead, I felt a deep sense of accomplishment and satisfaction with what I had created—my home looked beautiful, and I had made real progress. It didn’t take anything fancy—just being present and working with my hands. Now, it doesn’t have to be yard work; it could be anything that brings a sense of achievement or flow—whether it’s a hobby, an event, or even a planned activity that helps you tap into that feeling where time feels limitless. While getting busy with real-life activities helps us break free from the pull of endless scrolling, it’s also essential to address our relationship with technology. Technology doesn’t have to be the enemy, but it requires intention. It’s about knowing when to engage with it and when to step away. We can use it to enhance our lives, but we must avoid letting it dominate our time and energy.
2. Daily Rhythm
One of the most distinct features of simpler times was the daily rhythm. Breakfast at the table with juice, eggs, and bacon; after-school meetups with friends on your bike; be home in time for family dinner to discuss your day. There was a natural flow to the day, a sense of routine that gave life structure and warmth. Even if you didn’t experience it exactly as you imagined, you knew it existed and longed for it. Perhaps you even felt it in the rhythm of your neighbor's family next door. There was a heart to this era—connection, consistency, and a deep sense of belonging. The notion of a day well spent together is something we can still cultivate today.
So, how can we create a daily rhythm in our own lives? Here are a few questions to ask yourself, along with some ideas to inspire you:
What is your current daily rhythm? Take a moment to sit down and reflect on what your daily routine looks like now. What parts of it bring you peace or joy? What parts leave you feeling disconnected or drained? What would you like to keep, and what would you like to change?
How can you change your relationship with technology? It's not about rejecting technology but about replacing your time on your devices with real-life moments. What boundaries can you set around your screen time to create more space for the daily rhythms you crave? How can you make room for more face-to-face connections, personal activities, and intentional time with the people and things you love?
What have you missed most from your childhood or times before technology? Is there a specific part of the past—a tradition, habit, or simple act—that you long for? If you never experienced life before technology, ask someone to tell you about it! How could you slowly start adding those things into your daily life?
Here are some ideas to try:
Bake muffins in the morning.
Start by having family dinner together at least two nights a week.
Purchase a state park pass to get outdoors more and make it a weekly ritual.
Cultivate a strong family culture within your home, anchored in meaningful traditions. Create traditions you can enjoy daily, weekly, monthly, or even yearly.
3. Time in Nature
Spending time in nature is a no-brainer and one of the cornerstones of how this era felt. Whether it’s a day on the water with coolers full of juicy watermelon and ice-cold sandwiches, zig-zagging down snow-covered hills and warming up with hot cocoa, taking a walk after work as the sun takes its final bow, or watching squirrels chase each other through the woods—nature has a way of grounding us and connecting us to a more peaceful rhythm. It offers something technology can’t replicate. The world feels simpler when we step outside and reconnect with the natural beauty. If you look closely, long enough, and with enough curiosity and wonder, things start to make sense again. Instead of feeling numb or turning to distractions that dull us even more, our hearts feel lighter. Nature has a way of reminding us what matters.
4. The Era of Cozy
There’s something undeniably warm about this era—a feeling that seemed to radiate from the small, close-knit communities we once had. Gilmore Girls perfectly captures this cozy energy: the small-town cafes, the deep bonds between people, and the comforting cups of coffee. This era felt like home-cooked meals and comfortable blankets, a sense of warmth that enveloped you. It was when connection and comfort nurtured the soul.
Here’s how you can embrace that energy in your own life:
Foster real-life connections: Get to know the people in your town or neighborhood. Find a spot that feels like "your place"—a local café or diner where you can meet, chat, and create meaningful bonds. Life can get busy, but make it a point to prioritize in-person plans with loved ones. Host game nights, attend local events, or meet for coffee. These real-world connections are the foundation of coziness.
Create a cozy home environment: Fill your space with elements that feed your soul. Fresh flowers or lush greenery can bring nature inside. Create a garden, even if it's only a few pots; it doesn't need to be extravagant unless you have the space and time. Add warmth with candles, cozy blankets, and maybe even a puzzle. Surround yourself with books that transport you to imaginary worlds or ones that enrich yours, and another thing you could do is frame photos of cherished memories. Let your home tell a story of your traditions, past and present, with home-cooked meals that comfort you and smells that make you feel at peace. The goal is to make every space you occupy cozy, nurturing, and full of warmth.
5. It’s a Mindset
As we build cozy homes and seek deeper connections, it’s crucial to remember that the fundamental shift starts with how we view and experience our daily lives. This shift is a mindset. It’s more than just saying “be grateful,” “slow down,” or “be present.” It’s not about vowing to limit screen time. It’s about cultivating a mindset of quiet, peaceful living. It’s about living your life to the best of your ability, focused on what matters to you. While technology has positives, we all know what’s on the screen isn’t reality—it’s a curated version that takes content creators hours to do. Beyond the screen, what’s in front of you is the real, tangible life you’re meant to live.
Journal questions:
Looking back at those times, what feeling do you wish to cultivate most? How can you maintain that feeling daily and create a mindset of it? What activities, habits, or changes would aid that the most?
How could you live more thoroughly instead of watching others “live” theirs online?
As we move through a world constantly evolving and shaped by technology, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the simpler times that once defined our lives. But here’s the good news: we don’t have to leave those moments behind altogether. We can recapture that feeling of peace, presence, and fulfillment by making small, intentional changes in our daily routines. Whether getting busy with real-life tasks, establishing a daily rhythm, spending more time in nature, creating a cozy environment, or shifting our mindset, we can find ways to reconnect with what truly matters. It’s not about rejecting technology or chasing some perfect past—It's about capturing the spirit of a more effortless time and discovering how to be genuinely engaged in the moment. Let’s bring back that bliss, one step at a time.
I hope this blog inspires you to take what you read here today and step into the real world to live your life!
