Why You Should Buy a Dumbphone (And Actually Use It)

In a world where the internet has become a never-ending shopping mall, the idea of simplifying your life with a dumbphone sounds appealing. But here’s the catch: even in spaces like r/dumbphone, where the goal is to escape the clutches of consumerism, people often fall back into the same old habits. Posts criticizing consumerist culture get downvoted without discussion, and the cycle continues. Isn’t that the exact opposite of what these spaces are supposed to be about?

The truth is, buying a dumbphone isn’t just about swapping one gadget for another. It’s about breaking free from a culture that tells us happiness is just one purchase away. But to truly benefit from a dumbphone, you need to understand why you’re buying it in the first place—and why so many of us struggle to escape the consumerist trap.

The Internet: A Giant Shopping Mall

The internet has transformed into a place where every hobby, interest, or community is tied to consumption. Whether it’s skincare, books, gadgets, or planners, online spaces often revolve around buying and showcasing stuff. Take planner communities, for example. What starts as a simple desire to stay organized often devolves into tribalistic battles over brands—Hobonichi vs. Traveler’s Notebook vs. Moleskine. It’s less about the joy of planning and more about proving you’re part of the “right” club.

This phenomenon isn’t limited to planners. Hobby communities, from fountain pens to 3D printing, often become echo chambers where the focus shifts from the activity itself to collecting gear and chasing the next big thing. It’s exhausting, self-aggrandizing, and ultimately hollow. As philosopher Jean Baudrillard pointed out, we’re not chasing happiness—we’re chasing signs of happiness. We buy things that symbolize the life we want, but they rarely deliver on that promise.

The Loneliness Economy

A lot of this consumerist behavior stems from isolation. In a hyper-individualistic society, we’re more disconnected than ever. Instead of building real relationships, we buy things to fill the void. Material goods become substitutes for social connections, and the more isolated we feel, the more we consume.

This is especially ironic in spaces like r/dumbphone, where the goal is to break free from the internet’s addictive grip. Yet, even here, people often treat their dumbphones as status symbols or fall into the same patterns of craving the next upgrade. It’s a reminder that simply swapping one gadget for another isn’t enough. If we’re serious about stepping away from consumerism, we need to examine why we’re buying stuff in the first place and break those habits.

The Perfect Lie

The allure of consumerism lies in its promise: a perfect life is just one purchase away. But it’s a lie. No gadget, planner, or skincare product will ever deliver the fulfillment we’re searching for. Yet, this lie is so seductive that even boring, critical posts like this one can’t compete with the dopamine hit of a shiny product photo.

The truth is, happiness doesn’t come from stuff. It comes from meaningful connections, intentional living, and breaking free from the endless cycle of consumption. A dumbphone can be a tool to help you do that—but only if you use it as more than just another status symbol.

How to Actually Benefit from a Dumbphone

1. Examine Your Intentions: Why do you want a dumbphone? Is it to simplify your life, or is it just another purchase in a long line of attempts to “fix” things?
2. Break the Cycle: Recognize when you’re falling into old patterns of consumption. Are you treating your dumbphone as a tool, or are you already eyeing the next upgrade?
3. Focus on Connection: Use your dumbphone as a way to reconnect with the people and activities that truly matter. Call a friend, write a letter, or spend time offline doing something you love.
4. Reject the Perfect Life Myth: Remember, no product will ever make your life perfect. Happiness comes from within—and from the relationships you build along the way.

Final Thoughts

Buying a dumbphone isn’t a magic solution. It’s a step toward intentional living, but it’s only effective if you’re willing to confront the deeper issues driving your consumption. The internet may have turned into a giant shopping mall, but you don’t have to shop there. Break the cycle, focus on what truly matters, and remember: the perfect life isn’t for sale.

So, should you buy a dumbphone? Yes—but only if you’re ready to use it as more than just another purchase. Otherwise, you’re just trading one kind of addiction for another.