3 Devices I Can't Live Without
Technology is so embedded into our lives that it's a miracle how deprived we feel when we have no access to it.
I was recently put in a weird situation. The power went out for a few hours, and I realized all three of my favorite gadgets were out of battery. It wasn't a huge deal, but as I was scrolling mindlessly on my phone, I thought about how I would give it up in a heartbeat for any of my favorite 3 devices - my Kindle, my reMarkable, and my Switch.
We are all tethered to our phones, so I asked myself, 'Why?' Why are these so important that I'd gladly exchange my phone for any of them?
Right now, you either think I'm crazy to be willing to give up my phone for anything else, or you are trying to figure out why you are even reading this.
Either way, I hope you stick around. So, let's get into it.
My Kindle
I got my first Kindle Paperwhite 2 in April 2014. It was right after what we in audit used to call the busy season, so I decided to treat myself. I was so happy with the purchase and wanted to make it worth it so bad that I set a goal - 10 books in 10 months.
As it turned out, I had completely underestimated the situation. Reading on the Kindle was so awesome that I read 19 books instead of 10 (averaging 200+ pages).
Since then, I've rarely slept without reading at least a few pages, and it's become such a persistent habit. I got delayed once and had to spend the night out of town. My Kindle wasn't with me, so I barely got any sleep. Now that I think about it, I'm unsure if it's good or bad.
It's been exactly 10 years since I first got my first Kindle (it lasted 7 years before I had to replace it), and it's definitely one of my most prized possessions.
My reMarkable 2
If you don't know what the reMarkable is, it's an e-ink paper tablet. It's one of the best e-ink tablets out there (although I might be biased). You should check it out if you're in the market for one.
They had a pre-sale in 2020, and I took the plunge and bought it. It was pretty pricey, and I deliberated a lot about whether it was a good investment. Still, seeing that I do most of my writing (this one, for example) on it, track all my daily tasks on it, and do most of my brainstorming on it, it definitely was. I honestly can't imagine spending a day without it, and I'd give up my phone rather than my reMarkable.
The reMarkable is genuinely... well, remarkable. Especially when you pair it with the keyboard case, which is by far the best typing experience I've had with a tablet keyboard case. It gets a bit of getting used to, but then it's a much more productive process because there are no distractions.
There are literally 2 things I can do on my reMarkable. Type in text or scribble with the marker. No apps, no notifications, nothing else. It is essentially a digital version of pen and paper (and potentially a typewriter). And that makes it one of my most favorite gadgets ever.
My Nintendo Switch
I had a few rough months right before St. Vallentine's last year, and my fantastic wife decided to treat me to a Nintendo Switch. I've always wanted one but could never justify the purchase. I've never been much of a gamer, so I didn't know if I'd play on it or let it collect dust.
I've had it for a little over a year now, and I've finished 2 Sonic games, the first Ori game (and about half from the second one), Unravel TWO, and also played a bit of a few others.
But the big one that I am playing right now is Hogwarts Legacy. I got it for Christmas (again, from my wife) and have been trying to spend a few hours immersing myself in it every week. I'm a huge Harry Potter fan, so getting this time to soak in nostalgia is a pretty great feeling. But even more than that, being able to do it wherever I am and not needing an external screen is amazing.
Anyway, nothing special today. I just found it weird that I'd so easily give up my phone for not one but three different gadgets, none of which allows for much social interaction. And that got me thinking about the role of gadgets in our lives. I've always known that we are all hooked to our phones and electricity, but I never thought about how much further than our phones it goes.
Another interesting thing is that I get anxious about missing my gadgets in some situations but not others. For example, if I go hiking over the weekend, I can spend 2 days without those gadgets. I usually take my Kindle with me, but you get the point.
When I am high up in the mountains, there's an amazing view to enjoy, and I don't even think about tech. Nature is freeing that way.
But as soon as you put me in a box and take the power out, it's one of two things - my devices or anxiety.
What do you think? Can you relate to that? Do you have other gadgets you would put above your phone? Hit reply and let me know.
That's all I had for today. Thank you for reading, and extra brownie points for any of you who share the newsletter with a friend. It helps me grow and reach more people who might find all this entertaining.
Till next week,
Dobri 👋