The beauty of nature is overlooked; it slips by unnoticed. Only a few appreciate the pinks, yellows, reds, and oranges of a sunset. Even fewer stumble upon a forgotten trail overtaken by time. 

Wonder for the natural world is almost nonexistent. It has become the exception, no longer the rule. The lines between childhood and adulthood blurred, the instinctual wonder and curiosity of a child lost in days gone by.

Our attention, once captured by the slow movements of wild creatures and the passing of seasons, now glued to a screen we can take everywhere. Once upon a time, you built life by the tangible experiences you had with the people and world around you. Now, a device no larger than the palm of your hand forever gives us permission to be emotionally, physically, and mentally “plugged in.”

Is that really life?

I’ve grown up in this technological world; in the weird gap of remembering the cassette tape in the car, the box TV in the living room, and VHS tapes for all our movies to a phone in nearly every child’s hand, the introduction and widespread use of AI, and your worth tied to how many followers you have on social media. 

My childhood was the final fall of the cassette tape and VHS tape, the rise and fall of the CD, the reemergence of record players, and the introduction of smartphones with all forms of digital media.

I’m only 22…

Some may consider me “outdated,” “old-fashioned,” or “out-of-touch,” but I cannot keep up with the rapid growth of technology. I will stay on the oldest phone, the oldest operating system, the oldest form of anything until it stops working, and I am forced to upgrade. When I do? It’s almost as foreign as an unknown language.

And I am okay with that.

There is so much distraction in our society. Technology is only a piece of that very large puzzle, but a piece that is rapidly growing. The worst part? Many people are slaves to it. When told you don’t have a life if you aren’t on social media or engrossed with “the latest”—whether it be social, political, physical, or anything else—something is deeply wrong.

We are so steeped in this consumerism culture that very few know there are other options—choices that will foster life, creativity, and incredible growth, instead of anger, cynicism, envy, and self-destruction. We don’t take the alternate path because we never knew there could be any, never shown another way.

I think there almost always is.

We just need to look a little deeper, a little harder, through the façade of what is “the only way” and to the truth that lies, perhaps, just beyond. That truth is hiding in the corner, shoved aside, covered up, and gathering dust. But just like old, obsolete items from times past, it was once used, beloved by someone.

What if I can use it too?

What if that old style, old way of living life, and old values lost to time aren’t just for the past? What if I can live them too?

We live in a society obsessed with the newest trend. Have they considered maybe I don’t need, don’t want, something new? Maybe what I have is all I want, all I need.

What if the push for “new” shoves aside what is good? I am drowning in the great expanse of what is new—plagued by another option, another choice around every corner.

My struggles will not be solved by the newest appliance, the newest trend, or the latest news. It only compounds them. The fatigue from every corner of life leaves me unable to function and with more problems than I started with.

I search, and I yearn for something more.

This enslavement and overwhelm is what has led me to search out a slower lifestyle. I am drawn to the principles of minimalism because I am calm, at peace, and content with having less, having just enough.

The intentionality built into considering everything I bring into my home and life has built avenues for deep connection with God, family, and friends, and has created space for me to breathe, think, and simply be present.

I don’t want my life tied up in my phone and my physical possessions. I’ll leave them all behind in search of something deeper, more pure, and true.

I cannot find what I am looking for in the never-ending bombardment of what’s new. Perhaps I’ll find the peace, joy, fulfillment, and contentment I’m looking for amongst the dust instead.

Will you search through the dust with me?