Technology That Clears Mental Space — Not Clutter

There was a time when our truck felt more like a rolling library than a living space.

I remember one of our older trucks that had under-the-bunk storage. I had bins of clothes tucked underneath — and books shoved everywhere else. Paperbacks stacked, wedged, and squeezed into any open space I could find. Back then, you couldn’t just download a book in seconds like you can today.

When the iPod came along, I thought we had reached peak technology.

At the time, it felt revolutionary.

But looking back now, compared to what we have today, it was honestly archaic.

Audiobooks took forever to download — assuming you could even find Wi-Fi. There was no personal hotspot. No quick access. Books were often downloaded in parts, usually four, and each part could take 15 minutes or more. If I was downloading books, my husband pretty much lost me for the day.

Weeks on the truck meant I needed a lot of listening material just to stay mentally engaged while driving. Running out of books wasn’t an option. If I did, I’d hit truck stops looking for audiobooks on CD, then exchange them at another truck stop down the road when I was finished.

It worked — but it wasn’t simple.
And it definitely wasn’t minimalist.

From managing stuff to managing space

Over time, I realized something important:

I don’t need more information — I need more mental space.

That realization completely changed how I use technology on the truck.

Today, most days, I carry just a few intentional devices:

• My iPhone — communication and apps designed to help truckers

• My iPad — primarily for entertainment

• My Kindle Scribe — for learning, study, and reviewing PDFs

Even carrying three or four devices takes up far less space than dozens and dozens of paperback books ever did.

A few devices, many jobs — done well

What finally worked for me wasn’t cutting technology out — it was being intentional about how I use it.

Between just a few devices, I can handle nearly everything I need on the road:

• Communication — staying in touch with family, business contacts, and the world beyond the windshield

• Trip planning and work — apps designed specifically to help truckers navigate routes, weather, and logistics

• Connection — audiobooks, podcasts, and content that keeps my mind engaged during long stretches of driving

• Downtime and rest — streaming apps, simple games, and entertainment that helps me truly unplug

• Learning and reflection — books, Bible study, note-taking, and reviewing PDFs without carrying a single printed page

This is where my Kindle Scribe really shines. It holds what used to take shelves: learning materials, study notes, and documents I’d otherwise be juggling. It allows me to read, reflect, and revisit content without cluttering the truck or my mind.

Alongside my iPhone and iPad, this small group of devices replaces dozens and dozens of paperback books, CDs, binders, and loose papers from years ago — all while taking up a fraction of the space.

It’s not about having less technology.
It’s about having technology that works together.

Listening without distraction

For pleasure reading — and I’ll admit this freely — my guilty pleasure is mysteries and thrillers.

That’s where audiobooks come in.

I’ve had an Audible membership for years, and I truly get every penny’s worth. What I value most isn’t just the content — it’s the hands-free access. I can ask Siri to open my audiobook app or the podcast app without touching my phone.

My hands stay on the wheel.
My focus stays where it belongs.

That matters to me — as a professional driver and as someone who puts safety first.

Tech that stays in the background

I use Apple AirPods because they sync seamlessly with my devices. No fussing. No reconnecting. No distractions.

Good technology should work quietly in the background. If something makes me stop, troubleshoot, or feel irritated, it doesn’t belong on my truck.

The Journey sleeve: minimalism done right

I don’t carry my MacBook Pro every day — and that’s intentional.

I only take it when we know we’ll have downtime over a weekend and I have real work to do. That’s where the Journey sleeve has been a clear winner for me.

One sleeve.
One cord.
No bulky laptop bag.

It protects my computer, keeps things streamlined, and doesn’t take up unnecessary space. When you’re team driving — two people, two sets of “stuff,” plus fur babies — every inch matters.

I value space.
I value calm.
And I really don’t like clutter.

Minimal tech, maximum clarity

I’m not anti-technology.

I’m anti-excess.

Every item on our truck has to earn its place. If it reduces stress, saves space, improves safety, or supports learning, it stays. If it adds clutter or distraction, it goes.

Out here, mental space is just as important as physical space.

And when technology is used intentionally, it can finally support the lifestyle — instead of working against it.

If this topic resonates, I talk more about life, mindset, and longevity on the road over on the TireTalk podcast.

A quieter kind of progress

I don’t measure progress on the truck by how much technology I carry.

I measure it by how calm the space feels, how focused I am behind the wheel, and how little time I spend managing “stuff.” What once took shelves, bins, and constant planning now fits into a few intentional tools that work quietly in the background.

That didn’t happen overnight. It came from years of living out here, learning what truly matters, and being honest about what adds value — and what just adds noise.

The road is demanding enough.
Our trucks don’t need to be cluttered — physically or mentally.

When technology clears space instead of filling it, it gives us room to think, learn, listen, and simply be present in the life we’re living on the road.

And that kind of clarity?

That’s worth protecting.

I’ve gathered the tools I personally use in one place over on Truckloads of Faves, for anyone who prefers a simple reference.