In the digital age, most people cannot live without smartphones and the internet. However, a British businessman has chosen to go against the tide and bid farewell to smartphones and computers, opting to handle work and daily affairs completely with pen and paper.
38-year-old John Foley made this decision three years ago after being constantly interrupted by emails, messages, and notifications. He decided to stop using his iPhone 14 and then proceeded to eliminate his computer, the internet, and even give up his bank cards, opting for cash transactions instead, embracing a non-digital way of life.
Foley’s last time using a phone was on June 13, 2023.
As a father of two, he runs an award-winning plant nursery in Holden, the UK. He now manages his business and life solely with traditional notebooks, pencils, and paper. All his documents and work data are handwritten or recorded on a blackboard.
Foley told the local media Cheshire Live: “The process has been very healing and stress-relieving – I feel like I’ve regained control of my life, mind, and sense of achievement.”
He said, “I used to spend approximately 5 hours and 40 minutes on screens every day. I thought I was being productive during this time, but that wasn’t the case. Now I have taken back control of that time.”
Foley mentioned that he no longer needs a phone for constant connection, his life pace has significantly slowed down, improving his quality of life, feeling like he has more time, and living more in the moment. He said, “My brain can now think freely instead of being forced to run at high speed; I no longer automatically reach for my phone to fill gaps in awkward moments.”
This decision stemmed from Foley’s experiences during two breaks when he completely disconnected from his phone, leaving it switched off at home, describing the experience as “life-changing.”
His first phone-free experience happened during a business trip to London on May 18. While discussing an upcoming app development with Helen Boem, who was the development manager of the Chelsea Flower Show at the time, one of them missed the train due to forgetting a phone charger.
That night, after arriving at his accommodation, Foley stayed up texting and decided the next day to leave his phone behind altogether.
Foley admitted that it wasn’t easy at first, feeling anxious at the thought of emails or messages awaiting replies, but he soon found he had more time to engage in conversations with people. The following day at Lambeth Palace Museum, he “still didn’t bring a phone and could focus on learning for an extended period – a feeling he hadn’t had in a long time.”
Two weeks later, Foley camped in the Yorkshire Dales with friends, once again without a phone. After the trip, he set a challenge for himself to not use a phone for five years and walked seven miles to buy his first notebook.
In September 2024, he stopped using email and the internet altogether, opting for direct communication with clients and providing handwritten plans and documents. This approach has been “loved” by his clients.
In the fall of 2024, he ceased using financial debit or credit cards, only keeping a bank account for bill payments. Clients can still contact the company via landline, mail, or email, with electronic tasks delegated to staff.
Foley is currently working towards making his company completely “tech-free” gradually, aiming to return entirely to pen and paper operations by the end of 2026. His previous applications have been shelved in favor of a physical business model, primarily promoting through word of mouth in the community gardens of the nursery.
He said, “Society in 2026 is generally caught in a time crunch, but once you step out of it, everything slows down, and you regain control of your time.”
Foley also plans to collaborate with local government to establish a charity, building community green spaces to allow children to temporarily disconnect from technology, learn gardening, and connect with nature.