Reply to Message

I currently have the Samsung Galaxy S4, running Android 4.4.2.  I just got this phone a few months ago after having the Motorola Razr for ~7 years.  I really like the new usefulness of having and paying for a smart cell, and have finally settled into the look, feel, and personalized settings I like/need.  I don't use the phone enough to care about updating anything.  It's not broken, and doesn't need to be fixed.  Besides that, I have Kaspersky to handle security, a bunch of various other apps for messaging, and a couple of "fun"/games from small developers that I don't mind never using but I went through the trouble of getting so I want to keep.  I spent hours learning how to use the phone and OS, setting it up, and making it work.  The system look and feel is acceptable, could be improved slightly, but not enough that I need to worry about it or re-learn that different icons do the same thing.  I still move stuff around to tweak the look and position of stuff.  I have an estimated 90% satisfaction of it so far.  That is high enough to not change anything.  I don't develop, or crack, or hack, or any of that.  I found the default applications that came with the device suitable to my needs.  My goals in life don't center around my phone, but I like/need my phone for my goals. 

Now I'm getting an in-my-face notice that I have to update to Android 5.0 "lollipop".  Reading online and these forums shows I would only be asking for trouble.  Not only the systemic issues, but how many of my settings and apps will be ruined?  What will change about what I already have?  I looked them up and I don't care about the "new features" of 5.0, because they seem superfluous.  I'm not talking about that, I'm asking about how many things will I have to re-do?  How many hours will I have to waste just putting my phone back the way I want it?  When I get the update, will all my apps be moved around?  Will my Note files be deleted or moved?  Will the storage folders I set up to store pics and files in a logical fashion for my use, now be moved around and I have to dig for them again?  The 5.0 "reply-able notices on home screen" and "auto unlock" sounds like security is being compromised.  Will my Calendar entries be erased?  Do I really have to backup my files, pics, vids, notes, calendar entries, contacts, etc., to "the cloud" where my security is further compromised?  Backup and compromise, just so the icons or windows have a shadow?

Here's a scary story:  I deleted pics from MySpace years ago, then I get an email from MySpace recently with those pics, saying "remember these?".  Well, I don't want my data stored on an uncontrolled, hackable, server forever, even if I "delete" it.

Why do I have to waste my time/life on things like this, instead of being able to focus on what is important to living?  If I get the update, how much more time will have to be wasted re-learning it and putting everything back the way I want it?  How many apps will no longer work?

Why don't I have the option to keep what I have?  How can I permanently set the update and notice to "ignore"?

Do I have to "root" my phone in order to move system and update files around (similar to when I had to with the registry in Windows 95 and XP) to stop getting the notice or update?

For now, the only solution I've found is to wear out the "back" arrow on my new paperweight.