By Francie Hansen

Journal contributor

I just canceled my subscription to Rock Island, not because I don’t appreciate their excellent customer service and integrity, but I just don’t want or need a computer. Today’s slice of my life column — long overdue — is about no device living and joy.

This lunar new year is the Year of the Horse, and is about rebirth. We get a second chance. 2025 was the Year of the Snake, and was about shedding skins. I’m embarking on my 80th year, and thinking about how I want to utilize my time and live happily ever after. Realizing I like action and like “to do,” I don’t sit much. I resent the deleting time spent on the “machine” (my computer) with maybe three messages having any relevance.

So here goes. I’ve been without a TV for seven years; I don’t miss it at all. If I have to see a special movie or concert (like four times a year), I go to a friend’s house, and we do dinner and enjoy. I don’t need an Apple Watch to tell me how many steps I’ve taken or how many hours I’ve slept. I exercise six days a week and feel healthy with this physical activity. I sleep well. I don’t need any more validation.

I like to hear the sound of friends’ voices on my landline. I always call back when I retrieve messages from the answering machine. The physical mailbox at the top of my road is filled with letters from penpals far and wide. I spend more money at the post office than Marketplace. I am fed by communicating in a hands-on way, pen to paper. Zoom makes people look weird. I’m always so confused seeing their faces. I want to see THEM.

Yes, I have a good friend who helps me with travel reservations, and I can still use a paper boarding pass at the airport. I travel a lot to visit people in person. I have a physical address book and look up telephone numbers before I call (the numbers are not in my phone). I don’t have to charge batteries or look for a plug. My energy is available to fully participate with the human being I’m with or the activity at hand.

It’s very engaging to be involved in living without a device. I feel lucky, appreciative and grateful. I don’t take selfies or photograph my food. I’m simply there, looking with my eyes, listening with my ears and immersed in where I am. I challenge you to go without using your devices for a day, or even a week. You might find some exciting, new-you opportunities.

FLASH … Today I was at the Health Club working out. I saw five young people sitting at the exercise equipment, not moving, just looking at their phones. I think there’s an addiction problem to be addressed?

P.S. I don’t Google, text or order from Amazon, and it’s OK. Life is full enough, and I problem-solve and shop in other ways. Good luck. Thanks for reading my Slice of Life.