One of the more common myths I hear about technology is: “If it’s working, don’t touch it.”
On the surface, this makes sense. We all have experienced updates that caused problems, settings that changed unexpectedly, or software that felt fine yesterday but suddenly feels like a puzzle today. When you're busy running a business or managing a household, avoiding change can feel like a safe bet. especially when you don’t have reliable tech support.
This is a common and understandable response to feeling unsure or unsupported. But here’s the tricky part: technology doesn’t actually stay the same just because we leave it alone.
Why This Myth Can Backfire
Even when you aren't clicking "update,” your devices and software continue to change. Security risks evolve, operating systems age, and software companies release fixes for problems you can’t see yet. When updates and maintenance are postponed for too long, small issues tend to compound and become harder to address later.
Other areas of your life also require routine maintenance. You don’t wait for your car to stall to change the oil, or until a tooth hurts to schedule a dental visit. Those small, routine check-ins are what prevent the big, day-stopping disruptions. Technology works exactly the same way.
What Waiting Looks Like Over Time
When we follow the “don’t touch it” approach, the signs are usually quiet and gradual:
A computer that takes a little longer to start up each day.
Update reminders that keep getting snoozed
A slight hesitation before starting a task because the software may not behave.
It’s easy to adapt to these little frustrations. But over time, that constant "working around" things adds a quiet layer of stress to your day, especially when your tech is central to your work or communication.
A Better Alternative
The alternative isn’t becoming a tech expert overnight or constantly fiddling with settings. It’s proactive periodic check-ins.
That looks like:
Letting updates run when you have a window of time and the right support.
Noticing small warning signs and asking questions before it becomes urgent.
Treating tech support as routine maintenance, not an emergency service.
Handled this way, technology stops being a source of anxiety and starts being the stable tool it was meant to be.
You Don’t Need a Crisis to Ask for Help
Another common belief is that you only call for tech help when something is "broken." In reality, the most useful help often happens earlier, when things are still manageable.
If your technology is technically “working” but feels slower or less reliable than it used to, that’s worth paying attention to. You don’t need to wait for a day-stopping problem to seek answers or support. Technology is meant to support your work and your life, not quietly add a hidden tax of frustration to your day.
