for me, discontinuing the use of addictive social apps is separate from phone screen time. once i replaced the instagram app on my phone with my libby app, so when my thumbs automatically tried to scroll i ended up with an ebook instead. i also think it moves in seasons for me, where at times i will be on those apps a lot, and at times i will delete them for weeks at a time. and remembering that no matter which phase of the season i’m in, that it’s not permanent and that level of tiktok or what have you is not a permanent fixture in my life but a thing that’ll ebb and flow like everything else! but honestly? i’m gonna look at my phone! it’s just a matter of making the things that are there to look at just better for my brain in whatever way i can.
I love this thought process and I am definitely one to +1 the thought of seasons. I love how you replaced it with reading! have you found it effective at all?
yeah, definitely! it doesn’t feel as high pressure to delete apps knowing that there are actually things i like about them and i can come back to it later if i decide to. i don’t have to like quit having an online presence entirely and forever, but i can take breaks and know that everything is temporary, whether it’s a reading slump or doom scrolling or even something positive! everything in moderation!
I don’t struggle with phone time anymore, as I have deleted all of the apps that made my phone addictive. What I have found though is that it has just transferred to my iPad and I find myself watching either YouTube or Netflix while doing anything and everything and I think it’s because we’ve become such a lonely society. The only way for me not to feel lonely is through watching YouTube or escaping into a series or movie. My latest series has been Gilmore girls and I have thought a lot about the 2000’s because of that and although I acknowledge the many benefits of technology it’s also got me wishing back to a time where things seemed much simpler.
agreed - i find myself trying to fill the void of silence with *something* (whether that be mindless scrolling or watching tv or youtube). I wrote about the overstimulation of it all in a previous thought piece but it feels very relevant to this comment! attaching the link for reference: https://katieeu.substack.com/p/a-mini-1-it-really-is-your-phone
I looove the app forest!! I really enjoy seeing my virtual plants/trees come to life, and the best part is that when you have about 2500 coins the company will actually plant a tree in real life for you!
for me, discontinuing the use of addictive social apps is separate from phone screen time. once i replaced the instagram app on my phone with my libby app, so when my thumbs automatically tried to scroll i ended up with an ebook instead. i also think it moves in seasons for me, where at times i will be on those apps a lot, and at times i will delete them for weeks at a time. and remembering that no matter which phase of the season i’m in, that it’s not permanent and that level of tiktok or what have you is not a permanent fixture in my life but a thing that’ll ebb and flow like everything else! but honestly? i’m gonna look at my phone! it’s just a matter of making the things that are there to look at just better for my brain in whatever way i can.
I love this thought process and I am definitely one to +1 the thought of seasons. I love how you replaced it with reading! have you found it effective at all?
yeah, definitely! it doesn’t feel as high pressure to delete apps knowing that there are actually things i like about them and i can come back to it later if i decide to. i don’t have to like quit having an online presence entirely and forever, but i can take breaks and know that everything is temporary, whether it’s a reading slump or doom scrolling or even something positive! everything in moderation!
I don’t struggle with phone time anymore, as I have deleted all of the apps that made my phone addictive. What I have found though is that it has just transferred to my iPad and I find myself watching either YouTube or Netflix while doing anything and everything and I think it’s because we’ve become such a lonely society. The only way for me not to feel lonely is through watching YouTube or escaping into a series or movie. My latest series has been Gilmore girls and I have thought a lot about the 2000’s because of that and although I acknowledge the many benefits of technology it’s also got me wishing back to a time where things seemed much simpler.
agreed - i find myself trying to fill the void of silence with *something* (whether that be mindless scrolling or watching tv or youtube). I wrote about the overstimulation of it all in a previous thought piece but it feels very relevant to this comment! attaching the link for reference: https://katieeu.substack.com/p/a-mini-1-it-really-is-your-phone
I looove the app forest!! I really enjoy seeing my virtual plants/trees come to life, and the best part is that when you have about 2500 coins the company will actually plant a tree in real life for you!
yess! I also like using ecosia and tab for a cause for these exact reasons. doing good from the things I already do!