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Have you ever paused to wonder if the things meant to simplify our lives are actually doing the opposite?
It’s a question I’ve been sitting with lately—especially as I try to walk the line between embracing the ease of modern tools and living intentionally, simply, and meaningfully.
When does that convenience become a burden? When is it time to take a step back from the latest technology in favor of actually simplifying life? How can we spot a so-called time-saver that is actually costing us more than we think?
The Day Our Washing Machine Died
Not long ago, our washing machine—an aging workhorse that came with the house—finally gave up. At over two decades old, it had served us well.
We knew it was time for a replacement, so we headed to the appliance store expecting a straightforward purchase. Something simple, sturdy, and capable of cleaning clothes. Nothing fancy.
What we found was an entire world of washing machines that could connect to smartphones, send alerts, track cycles, and more. I couldn’t help but ask: Why does a washing machine need to be online?
You still have to load the laundry and switch it over. So what, exactly, is the point of an app?
The Temptation of Technology
Let me be clear: I’m not against modern technology. I own a smartphone. I use a washing machine. These things have a place in my life. But I find myself frequently stepping back to ask—what is the cost of convenience?
There’s a growing trend to turn every tool into a smart device. And while that can be helpful in some cases, it’s also worth asking: does it simplify, or just add complexity?
When an appliance requires updates, connectivity, and monitoring from yet another app on my phone, it begins to feel like just one more thing to manage—rather than something that’s helping me reclaim my time.
When Convenience Becomes Clutter
Not all convenience is bad. After all, washing machines themselves are a great convenience compared to hand-washing everything.
But we cross into murky waters when our tools start to demand our attention in ways that distract us from real life. When they require our phones just to function. When they break more easily and are harder (and more expensive) to repair.
It is so easy for us to become slaves to our possessions without even really noticing it.
Anything that requires more time on the smartphone or computer is probably worth a second look. We spend so much time on our screens that it is often hard to disconnect.
It doesn’t seem worthwhile to find another reason to pick up that phone or scroll an app. If anything, I’m all in favor of taking breaks from those screens and social media in order to connect with the rest of life.
It is so easy for something that seems technologically advanced and cool to become yet another thing that disconnects us from loved ones or the natural world. Suddenly we can’t even put our phones down because the washing machine needs us.
That washing machine that does indeed make life a bit easier has suddenly become something else that needs monitoring and tinkering and weighs us down.
Question Everything
Advertising is so insidious as to make us think that we must have the newest technology, the latest updates, and that everything must be connected all the time. And goodness isn’t that crazy and stressful?
Advertising surrounds us (it’s on this blog, too, after all), but we have to consciously choose how we interact with it. We have to keep our heads and not buy into the hype.
We have to pay attention to the messages that the media and well-meaning other humans try to pass on. This applies to traditional advertising (commercials, print ads, etc.) as well as all those gorgeous social media feeds and the well-meaning family members telling us about their latest purchases.
We have to constantly and vigilantly question the need and desire messages put forth from the outside.
Is that technology necessary or it wanted? There is nothing inherently wrong with wants as long as those wants aren’t distracting from the important things in life. The thing we need to watch out for is mindless consumerism.
We need to stay vigilant and question things because things change, of course, as we age we might need certain things or help from gadgets we didn’t need when we were younger – disabled folks need help able-bodied folks might not, etc.
Our Choices have Impact Beyond Ourselves
It’s also important to remember our wants are not in a vacuum. They have an impact on the planet and other human beings.
When we want the fancy bottled water (when our tap water is safe and more than fine), for example, that plastic bottle has an impact and we should weigh our decisions accordingly.
I’m not here to preach or judge. Nor am I here to say that we need to do it all perfectly, all the time (no one can and no one does). It’s just a healthy reminder, as much for myself as for anyone reading, that choices have an impact.
The Very Practical Financial Impact
It makes very little sense, to me, to spend hundreds of extra dollars on a washing machine just so it can connect to my smartphone. That applies to refrigerators, stoves, and truly any other appliance.
Instead of spending that money on something that feels unnecessary for the job at hand. Why not save that money for a rainy day? Other things will break, cars will need repaired, heck you might want to take a vacation or retire early. Save the money.
It’s more than just modern convenience, here of course, frugality is a whole topic in and of itself. But it is one of those questions we need to ask ourselves. Is this purchase truly worthwhile? Can the basic (and sturdy) model serve me and my needs / wants just as well?
It’s also worth noting that the more bells & whistles something has, the more that can go wrong and break. We’ve lost sight of repairing things because it gets too expensive. ‘Dumb’ appliances can often be repaired for less cost than buying a new one but it’s harder & harder to find because companies, of course, want us to buy and increase their profits.
A Framework for Intentional Living
Here are a few questions I return to often, especially when making a purchase:
- Is this a want or a need?
- Will it truly simplify or just add another layer?
- Can I live with its environmental and social impact?
- Will the basic version meet my needs?
- Can I afford it without going into debt?
Whether it’s a washing machine or a smart speaker or a new kitchen gadget, these questions help me stay rooted in what matters.
Because intentional living isn’t about depriving ourselves—it’s about choosing with care.
Living with Intention
In a world where everything is marketed as essential, it’s a quiet act of rebellion to say: I don’t need more. I just need what works.
Sometimes that means buying the basic washing machine.
Sometimes it means saying no to yet another app.
And often, it means turning away from the noise and toward a slower, simpler, more meaningful life.
You are so right. There are so many bells and whistles that actually seem to complicate whatever it is. I’ve been replacing some of my more modern items with vintage/antique versions of the item. “Simple” might look like more work, but it’s really a lot less stressful.
My pet peeve is the seatbelt chime when I get the mail and drive up the lane without clicking it.
My other reason for not having home appliances connected to my smartphone is that at some stage I want me to have the choice of when I interact with cleaning, washing etc. not have interruptions when I am concentrating on other things. Then there is always the way that these ‘smart’ appliances can be hacked. Big brother is not going to have any more interractions in my life than necessary.
Thanks for the refresher. I try not to use tons of apps for that purpose. I have done some flying this summer. It’s amazing to me how many people use phones for entertainment. It’s not a bad thing. Just an observation. I’d prefer to pull out a deck of cards, or people-watch. That’s just me though. Thanks again
@Char, and now in 2025 most places are cashless, tickets are etickets & life as we knew ut slips away. :/
We have had the same washer & dryer for 30 years and I hope to keep them as long as they will run.
That being said mine are in the basement and sometimes I forget that I threw a load in. So that would be one thing I would like about the new technology! If mine were on the first floor my old ones would be all I need!😀
Same problem here. My washer doesn’t have a loud “end of cycle” bell. My solution is a vintage kitchen timer set for 59 minutes that’s turned on and placed upstairs where I can’t ignore it. :-)
It seems that finding simple, sturdy appliances is a treasure hunt. Big box stores only stock what they’ve bought in quantity. It’s mostly the “latest and greatest” conglomeration of fancy features that simply add to the marketing buzz, and not to the efficiency and convenience of the machines.
That said, if you look at small, independent appliance stores, particularly in smaller communities, you may actually find more basic models and/or they may be able to order what you want.
There’s also something to be said for buying secondhand. I’m a fan of Facebook Marketplace, which gives me a look at what local folks have to sell. You’ve got to know your stuff when you buy secondhand, but it can still get you some good deals.
So very true. I have disconnected from FB. Disconnected from many things for those very reasons. Thank you fir a thoughtful post.
Sonia
It’s so funny that I read this post today. I just posted on another blog about how I refuse to buy ‘smart’ appliances, internet connected vehicles, etc. I’ll take second hand any day. Yes, I have a smartphone and a laptop. But even those ‘suck up’ too much of my time. I ‘consciouly uncoupled’ from fb a while ago. I still check in once in a while, but it was taking up way too much of my time. Even keeping up with the blogs I like, such as this one, sometimes get in my way. It definitely is a balancing act. And I weigh more on the side of simplicity.
Hi..sadly this is another sign we live in a fast pace world. I remember using a wringer washer and loved it, but hard to find a good one that runs. Not long ago I had to purchase a new washer and dryer and all they wanted to show me was the ones with bell and whistles .. and I said no I want something that is just simple after all I’m only washing clothes, and even the most simple has stuff I could do without but what do you do? Anyway it will do I guess. I was talking with a friend the other day and I started laughing when a thought hit me…think about this…should the internet and systems go down and all the things that control our world today went down, could you survive the fallout…no internet, no computers and gadgets, no gas as gas pumps won’t work, no groceries as cash registered won’t work and power doors won’t work, trains can’t move, planes can’t fly, and the list can go on forever, but mainly could you as a family get by, how many of our young people have been taught what our grandparents learned to do the old fashion ways…can you imagine the bigger cities, it would be terrible …right now if just power goes down you have luting and stealing … think about what could be years if the technical systems go down….scarry thought, I told my girlfriend its sad that parents didn’t make sure a lot of the children weren’t made to learn some of these skills as they grew up. We belong to a homemakers group in our community and we do a few of these things among ourselves but what an out reach it could be if more ladies started little homemakers clubs and tried to reach out to younger ladies, starting families that could meet once a month and pick something to teach these young women, ie…canning, sewing, crocheting , knitting, cooking, etc…the list can go on. I’m hoping our little group will be doing more of this in the future… this is just food for thought but sometimes I just have to open my mouth maybe when I should keep it shut, sigh…anyway you have a great day and may everyone be blessed with lifes simple pleasures…
As I read your post, I found myself saying “yes… yes… oh yeah…” :-)
It can be so easy to buy something that you don’t really need to have because of all the shiny bells and whistles. I think humans have the tendency to acquire built in. Which, isn’t bad at its basic level. (Acquire food, safe and comfortable shelter, etc.) But we are bombarded with messages that we need tings that we simply do not. My husband bought an Apple Watch a couple of months ago to aid him in keeping better track of work messages after he accepted a new position. I kept eyeballing the watch thinking, how cool! Maybe I should get one. Then I thought about how I frequently lament needing to be “always on.” I gave the watch no other thought. Not for me. I love the convenience of many things – washer/dryer, stove, fridge, etc. – but I don’t need them to do anything other than intended: wash/dry, cook, preserve. It’s that simple. :-) Love reading your blog posts! (Our radishes are coming up and I’m eager to make some of that radish bread you blogged about!)
I’m tempted at least weekly to buy a fitbit so I get the desire bells & whistles… Let me know how the radish bread turns out. Thanks so much for reading.
@Kathie Lapcevic,
Thanks for the great article.
Had a fitbit. Didn’t like it. I didn’t need to track calories, which had to be linked to a website (a distraction). Didn’t need to track my pulse…if I am up and moving, I’m alive so pulse tracking wasn’t necessary. Am healthy, so don’t have blood pressure or other health issues that I need to monitor. After a couple of years I gave my fitbit to someone who used it for years went through several bands, and when the thing quit working, found a similar product. She loves it.
When I started having mobility problems due to sudden and severe arthritis, I knew I needed to get more physical activity in my life. For about $15, I bought a battery operated pedometer. I can clip it to a pocket or wear it on a lanyard. It is easy to read and clear each day and tells me in the form of step counts, how much I have moved – walking, workouts (aerobic, biking, etc). Not exact but I don’t need that kind of breakdown. If the number is less than the day before consistently, I know I am slacking and need to re-evaluate what I am doing or not doing. I don’t need a wrist computer in the form of dings, bells or alarms to tell me that in a tiny screen format that is difficult to read. And I don’t need to wear a computer/phone on my wrist when I still need a smartphone or computer for other work. And I find earbuds or an earpiece are miserable to conduct calls regularly, and try to carry them in the right place when you want to answer or make a call.
If and when the time comes that I have to track something in more detail, I can and will evaluate the options available then.
Just saying…:)
It is interesting to read this post on my phone
Two adds in every 4 inches of screen. I’m assuming that isn’t how you set things up. Still, the balance between interacting with interesting people and living in a cave is hard to find. I mostly choose in-person interactions, but also find that to be a very limited universe.