S15 E2: How to Become an Opt-Out Family

Old Fashioned On Purpose

Ever wondered what happens when a social media influencer with a million followers swaps the digital spotlight for a tech-minimal lifestyle? This episode features Erin Lochner, the inspiring powerhouse behind "The Opt-Out Family." Erin takes us on a journey from her high-profile career in social media to her decision to embrace a technology-minimal lifestyle. We delve into her new book, "The Opt-Out Family," and discuss how she and her family choose to engage more meaningfully with the world around them, rather than through screens. Erin's insightful and empowering narrative offers a refreshing view on how conscious choices about technology can lead to a more balanced and fulfilling life.
We explore the intentional decision-making that comes with living a low-tech lifestyle, especially in a family setting. From avoiding smartphones for children to steering clear of facial recognition apps, Erin shares the micro-decisions that help maintain a balanced life. The conversation also highlights the joy and opportunities that arise from offline interactions and the preference for face-to-face connections. Erin's experiences provide a compelling case for the benefits of a tech-minimal environment that fosters direct human engagement and thoughtful problem-solving.
We discuss the invaluable lessons of healthy challenges and fostering independence in children, emphasizing the importance of real-world experiences over digital consumption. Erin's perspective on parenting, managing overstimulation, and reclaiming our intuition from technology offers practical strategies for anyone looking to create a more intentional and enriching lifestyle.
Podcast Episode Highlights

• Erin's background and how they became an opt-out family
• How some algorithms that are very harmful to us
• What Erin's family looks like now as a low-tech family
• Adjustments and resistance to becoming a low-tech family
• The dangers of completely trusting the "authority" of the internet
• Creative ways to stop using the phone so much
• The concept of strewing...
• Boredom and over-stimulation
• Talking about hormesis
• The argument about it being a privilege to opt out of technology
• Encouragement if you also want to opt out

Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode:

Learn more about Erin Loechner here: https://www.optoutfamily.com/

Learn more about Air Doctor here: airdoctorpro.com
Use code HOMESTEAD to save up to $300 on your air doctor system

OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD:

• Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: http://theprairiehomestead.com/letter
• Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com
• Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger
• Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead
• Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application

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Chapters

1. S15 E2: How to Become an Opt-Out Family (00:00:00)

2. Opting Out of Technology (00:00:11)

3. Living a Low-Tech Lifestyle (00:10:03)

4. Connecting With Nature in Digital World (00:15:34)

5. Reclaiming Intuition and Authority From Tech (00:21:13)

6. Parenting and Overstimulation (00:28:47)

7. Benefits of Healthy Challenges and Independence (00:36:40)

8. Praising Enjoyable, Inspiring Book (00:49:51)