Why I Got Rid of All My Smart Devices

by Sarah Mayhew

You might be thinking, "What? Why would anyone do that?" Well, let me tell you. I've had enough of these so-called "smart" devices. They're not smart at all. They're just a bunch of data-sucking, privacy-invading machines that make our lives more complicated than they need to be.
I used to be a big fan of smart devices. I had a smart TV, a smart thermostat, smart lights, and even a smart toothbrush. But after a while, I started to realize that these devices were more trouble than they were worth.
For one thing, they're always collecting data about me. I don't know what they do with all that data, but I don't like the idea of someone tracking my every move.
Second, these devices are often hacked. Just last year, there was a major hack of smart home devices that allowed hackers to access people's homes and even control their lights and thermostats. That's not something I want to have to worry about.
Third, these devices are just plain annoying. They're always glitching and malfunctioning. I've had my smart TV turn off in the middle of a movie, my smart thermostat set the temperature to 90 degrees in the middle of winter, and my smart lights turn on and off randomly.
I'm not the only one who's had problems with smart devices. A recent study by the Pew Research Center found that 54% of Americans have experienced some kind of problem with a smart device.
So, I've decided to get rid of all my smart devices. I'm going back to the old-fashioned way of doing things. I'm going to use a regular TV, a regular thermostat, and regular lights. And I'm going to be a lot happier for it.
If you're thinking about getting rid of your smart devices, I encourage you to do so. You won't regret it.
Here are a few tips for getting rid of your smart devices:

Unplug them from the internet.
Delete the apps from your phone.
Sell them on eBay or Craigslist.
Donate them to a local thrift store.

I know it can be hard to give up our beloved gadgets, but trust me, it's worth it. You'll be surprised at how much better you feel without them.