AD | I talk a lot about working from home, self employment and making money online on my blog. I’m incredibly thankful that I’m in a position where I can make money from my laptop or my phone and even from the comfort of my own bed. It hasn’t been without years of grafting, hard work and constant hustling but I’m extremely proud of what I’ve achieved, especially from where I once was, a long time ago.

The thing I definitely don’t give enough credit to, is technology. Because without it, I wouldn’t be writing this blog post. And you wouldn’t be reading this blog post. Oh how technology has changed our lives. And we rarely even acknowledge it.

Now, I’m no technology buff. There’s a lot of technology I don’t understand and I’m certainly not the kind of person to rush out and get the latest iPhone as soon as it’s on the shelves. But I do love certain pieces of technology and what they’ve brought to my life.

I wouldn’t have a job without it. I wouldn’t have had the opportunities I’ve had without it. When I was diagnosed with severe generalised anxiety disorder back in 2011, I dread to think how my life would have turned out without the technology there for me to create my blog and almost give me a reason to wake up in the morning again. I’m pretty sure technology has changed all of our lives in some way or another.

So let’s look at exactly how technology has changed our lives!

It’s connected us

The main element how how technology has changed our lives has to be social media. Technology has allowed us to easily keep in contact with friends, family and acquaintances from all over the world. A friend going travelling is no longer the be-all and end-all it used to be. Because you can keep up with their travels daily and talk to them whenever you both want to.

This is a big one for me because over the years, since my anxiety diagnosis, I’ve more or less lost all of my “real life” friends. If it wasn’t for social media, I’d be incredibly lonely, to the point where I don’t even really want to think about what my life would be like. In that respect, technology has changed our lives for the better because I’m definitely not the only one in that position.

It’s created jobs and opportunities for us

Technology has allowed more people than ever before to start businesses, grow their skills and become their own bosses. Technology and the internet has opened up more avenues for success and individuals are thriving on it. And creating successful 6-figure businesses which wouldn’t have been possible without technology!

I can’t say I’m quite at the 6-figure business level just yet (maybe one day) but technology and the internet has allowed me to start a blog and turn that blog into a business, work with brands, get sent on press trips, try new products and so many more opportunities.

It’s given us endless entertainment and leisure options

There’s absolutely no time to be bored any more and whilst this one might divide some opinions, you can’t really deny that technology has brought us, well, a heck of a lot of fun! From the good old days of Habbo Hotel and Piczo, the PlayStation 1, the dance mat and the game ‘snake’ on the Nokia 3310 all the way to now, with Netflix, the PlayStation 4, virtual reality headsets and so much more.

Another one I can relate to on a personal level because it wasn’t until around a year ago, I realised how much gaming can really help my mental health. It’s one of the only things that allows me to truly switch off and Red Dead Redemption 2, arguably the best game ever created, has really stolen my heart since it’s release last year. If I need some downtime, I know that game is there waiting for me. I’m certain that a lot of people will feel the same way. It might not be the most noteworthy reason how technology has changed our lives but to me, it matters.

It’s improved education

Education options are bigger than ever before, all thanks to technology, the internet and the ability to be able to learn from anywhere. Online education has even become an option for students who can’t attend an actual school for whatever reason. The Open University has offered higher education to millions of people who can’t attend University. And there are a number of courses you can take online – both paid and free – which helps you improve your skills.

Anything that makes education more accessible is always a plus in my eyes. Everyone should have access to an education and the chance to learn, even if it’s a free online course in something they’re interested in. I’ve used Coursera a couple of times and although the results for my particular courses didn’t add up to anything, I learnt a lot and they were incredibly interesting. And a great option for those who maybe can’t afford a paid-for course.

It’s enhanced people’s lives

Convenience wise, technology is the bomb. Some might say it promotes laziness and yes, in some cases, it can (reference: me the other night ordering a McDonald’s from my bed) but on a whole, I think it’s nothing but good. Technology has enhanced people’s lives in so many ways. We have to remember that not everyone has the privilege of being able to just get up and go to the shops and technology has made that accessible to more or less everyone.

This is particularly prominent for me as my anxiety really kicks my arse and going out sometimes is a struggle. I don’t quite know what I’d do without online food shopping, online banking and the technology involved to make those things accessible to me.

So basically, I think technology is great. Yes, there are times where I want to throw it out the window but I honestly couldn’t live without it and I’m in awe of how technology has changed our lives so much over the last 20 years or so. What is your relationship with technology?

* This post is sponsored by and in association with Ebuyer - the UK's largest online tech retailer - for their 20th anniversary.