Living Light: My Experiment Without a Smartphone

These days, it often feels like a smartphone is an extension of our bodies. Many of us carry one everywhere and rely on it for countless daily tasks. We use it for work, entertainment, communication, managing finances, navigation, and so much more. For many people, the idea of giving up their smartphone—even for a single day—seems almost impossible. In a modern world where smartphones feel essential, what would actually happen if someone stopped using one entirely?

That’s exactly what I was curious about. In the autumn of 2022, I found myself in an experimental mood. For years, I had been practically glued to my phone, and I began to wonder whether being so attached to it was actually healthy. I wanted to see what would happen if I gave up my smartphone altogether. I knew I could handle most tasks online using my laptop at home, but I had concerns about everyday life outside the house. How would I communicate in an emergency? How would I get directions to new places? How would I listen to the music and podcasts I enjoyed so much?

I quickly realized that completely giving up a phone wasn’t realistic. If this experiment was going to work, I needed a middle ground—something between a full-featured smartphone and no phone at all. I had grown up using a flip phone, but those felt outdated and impractical for my needs. After doing some research, I discovered that several companies were intentionally creating “dumb phones.” Unlike the flip phones I remembered, these were modern devices designed to meet essential needs without the distractions. One company stood out above the rest for its reviews and philosophy: The Light Phone Company.

The Light Phone Company produces a credit-card-sized, minimalist phone with an e-ink display called the Light Phone II. Despite its simplicity, it offered all the tools I needed when leaving the house. Staying in touch? I could easily call and text, and it even included a modern voice-to-text feature. Directions? The built-in GPS provided navigation for both driving and walking. Music and podcasts? I could download and listen to all my favorites. On top of that, it included useful tools like an alarm, calculator, calendar, notes, a hotspot, and more.

It had exactly the essentials I needed to get through daily life—without the distractions and anxiety-inducing aspects of a smartphone. With those tools in place, I began the experiment. The first week was challenging, and there was definitely an adjustment period, but I slowly got used to it and began to feel more free. I decided to keep going. By the end of the first month, I no longer felt the urge to use a smartphone at all. Eventually, I managed to give up my smartphone for an entire year.

That year was transformative. I spent far less time distracted and was able to focus more on what truly mattered. My concentration improved, my anxiety decreased, and I learned how to take more joy in the simple things in life.

That said, over time I did notice some limitations with the Light Phone II. For example, it didn’t have a built-in camera, which meant I couldn’t scan QR codes at restaurants. I also missed the convenience of tap-to-pay. Additionally, the battery life could be better, and storage space was limited for my growing library of music and podcasts. Because of this, I eventually decided to use my smartphone alongside the Light Phone II. That combination worked perfectly for the next couple of years.

Recently, however, that may be changing. The Light Phone Company has released the Light Phone III, which addresses many of the shortcomings of the Light Phone II. It includes a built-in camera, tap-to-pay capabilities, increased storage, better battery life, and even more improvements. Now, I’m seriously considering ditching my smartphone once again and switching fully to the Light Phone III.

You can find both the Light Phone II and the Light Phone III here:
https://www.thelightphone.com/shop?ref=joyfully