"In the middle of December 2025, I decided to switch my digital smartwatch for a classic analog watch, as part of my effort to make my life just a bit less digital in 2026. The added bonus is that I really liked the look of a classic watch. I went to my local jewellery store and picked out a mid-range watch. I didn't want to get an expensive one just in case my resolution didn't work out."
"The first day without my smartwatch, I found it really hard. I wanted to look at my wrist constantly, not just for client communication, but also to flick through the widgets. All of a sudden, I couldn't just look at the weather on demand. I actually looked outside to see what the weather was like. After that first day, the difficulty of being without the smartwatch tapered off. I got used to living without it during my workday."
Ryan Smith, a 50-year-old luxury car salesman in Idaho Falls, wore a smartwatch all day for seven years and received constant pings from texts and emails. As someone with ADHD, every notification interrupted his thoughts and work, creating cognitive load, frazzlement, and anxiety. In December 2025 he replaced the digital smartwatch with a mid-range analog watch to reduce digital stimuli and because he liked the look. The first day was difficult, with urges to check widgets and weather, but the discomfort faded within days. He experienced greater calm, relaxation, and freedom without constant wrist notifications.
Read at Business Insider
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