This isn't really the same thing, but close enough that I need to say it. I often listen to trash radio in the kitchen because either the family is around or I'm working so I don't wear headphones, and the stereo is in the front room. However, I get sick of the ads and the news, especially as I don't want the girls exposed to that litany of consumerism and awfulness, and I was vaguely wondering what to do about it. You know what fixed it? Guinea pigs. Yep, that's right. We recently got guinea pigs (not for this reason) and now, especially when I'm quietly working, I'm listening out for the squeaking and rustling! I've barely listened to the radio since we got them. It is odd what we can find to displace habits we want to kick!
guinea pigs sounds like a very great way to replace screen time for your children as well! what a silly but effective method to curb the habit of constant noise -- thank you for sharing!
Yes! The girls do the cleaning and feeding, and they know that because the guineas are both girls there won't be any babies - both of these anchor them in reality, whereas screens are not reality.
I’ve been feeling a pull to cut out music lately too. I’ve been on a 4ish week break so far with little snippets here and there but my mental clarity without music is unmatched. Feels a lot like the pied piper story where we’re all just following and not thinking critically or forming our own identities outside of mass consumerism. I want my brain back!
i want my brain back indeed!!! I just wrote a little bit more about the music/stimulation piece (published today) if that would resonate as well. it's so interesting and exciting to me how many people are on similar journeys!
recently have been more aware about the draining/harmful effects that excessive screen time has had on me. my excuse for maintaining limitless access to social media was because it was a good way for me to destress/relax but there are so many more ways i could that, that doesnt involve me endlessly scrolling through reels. this post is a good reminder that its possible to bring that screentime down :)
agreed!! I'm a 'content creator' on instagram and I always used that as an excuse to scroll (and scroll and scroll and scroll, because it's 'inspiration,' right?) but I'm trying to break that habit for myself!
sometimes I find myself trying for the same goals over and over again until it finally sticks. hopefully this is the time it sticks for you! good luck!!
Interesting read! I've been struggling with similar issues to the point where it feels weird to sit on the couch and just exist and think. I'm dumbing down my phone by having my screen always in black-and-white (so no color), using Freedom to block certain apps during certain times, and just having deleted apps like Instagram from my phone. The grayscale screen is honestly so much more relaxing to look at than all the overly saturated colors my screen normally has, can recommend!
I've just changed my phone to b&w as well (I have the triple lock shortcut which will allow me to switch between color modes) and I have to say, it does make late-night scrolling so much more unappetizing
Used to have music playing every time I got in my car whether a short or long drive. Since switching to a dumb phone (and even building a small library of music I own) I still drive in silence 90% of the time and have grown so comfortable with just thinking. Before that scared me and made me go down anxious spirals... turns out I just needed that little adjustment period to get used to an absence of noise.
Recently, I’ve quit Instagram, and I feel sooo relaxed, productive, and happy with my time! I feel less inclined to know what’s happening in people’s lives; no more comparison or people-pleasing! Pinterest, Substack, and Spotify are my friends these days. I’ve even replaced Netflix with more sunsets and walks! Recently, I wrote this note on my notepad from my balcony, just listening to the sounds around me. I bet there were more than 10 different ones—and that’s when I noticed! Cutting through headphones and music, all these sounds, I might've never heard or even bothered to notice! The world is truly amazing without the noise. <3
I loved reading this, it really made me think. The whole time i was reading i was also aware of the irony of reading this on my screen. The calculator from unplugged was a really humbling experience too, thanks for sharing 🫶🏻
Lovely article. I’m not loving the trend of not using capital letters at the start of sentences. It’s alright for poems and short pieces, but really confusing in long pieces. It makes it harder to anticipate the start and end of sentences.
Im 23 and ive been very aware of my phone addiction for several years now. I feel like it all started the summer in middle school that I got my first laptop... id spend hours a day with unrestricted access to the internet and I would use it all summer long. At no point was my access to the internet limited... My parent complained about people being "glued to cell phones", but they never had an issue with the laptop. Once I eventually got my first smartphone, I would spend my entire evenings on it and I never gave it a second thought. But for the past few years, I've been highly aware of it and highly unable to stop. I've had my attempts, Ive temporarily un-installed instagram several times (the first time i did that was such a feat), but i still struggle to this day. I've told my friends but most of them really don't view it as a problem. I could talk about this subject for ages, but its grateful to see others share how I feel. It's a struggle I feel alone on, but only because no one discusses this out loud.
I’ve been finding myself on my phone more and more and wanting to scale back my screen time too. Wow is the calculator humbling. You forget how much life you miss with headphones constantly in, entertainment is such a crutch and takes so many hours away from the things we’re all wishing we had more time for. Thank you for writing this!!
I used to be this way, especially moving from the suburbs of california to the hectic city of london! but I really like using my commuting time to reply to text messages and I find it hard to do both (listen to music and also reply to texts effectively) which is what ultimately kicked the habit for me!
This isn't really the same thing, but close enough that I need to say it. I often listen to trash radio in the kitchen because either the family is around or I'm working so I don't wear headphones, and the stereo is in the front room. However, I get sick of the ads and the news, especially as I don't want the girls exposed to that litany of consumerism and awfulness, and I was vaguely wondering what to do about it. You know what fixed it? Guinea pigs. Yep, that's right. We recently got guinea pigs (not for this reason) and now, especially when I'm quietly working, I'm listening out for the squeaking and rustling! I've barely listened to the radio since we got them. It is odd what we can find to displace habits we want to kick!
guinea pigs sounds like a very great way to replace screen time for your children as well! what a silly but effective method to curb the habit of constant noise -- thank you for sharing!
Yes! The girls do the cleaning and feeding, and they know that because the guineas are both girls there won't be any babies - both of these anchor them in reality, whereas screens are not reality.
I’ve been feeling a pull to cut out music lately too. I’ve been on a 4ish week break so far with little snippets here and there but my mental clarity without music is unmatched. Feels a lot like the pied piper story where we’re all just following and not thinking critically or forming our own identities outside of mass consumerism. I want my brain back!
i want my brain back indeed!!! I just wrote a little bit more about the music/stimulation piece (published today) if that would resonate as well. it's so interesting and exciting to me how many people are on similar journeys!
recently have been more aware about the draining/harmful effects that excessive screen time has had on me. my excuse for maintaining limitless access to social media was because it was a good way for me to destress/relax but there are so many more ways i could that, that doesnt involve me endlessly scrolling through reels. this post is a good reminder that its possible to bring that screentime down :)
agreed!! I'm a 'content creator' on instagram and I always used that as an excuse to scroll (and scroll and scroll and scroll, because it's 'inspiration,' right?) but I'm trying to break that habit for myself!
Super impressive! I tried to do the same and lasted a few weeks. This has inspired me to get disciplined again
sometimes I find myself trying for the same goals over and over again until it finally sticks. hopefully this is the time it sticks for you! good luck!!
Interesting read! I've been struggling with similar issues to the point where it feels weird to sit on the couch and just exist and think. I'm dumbing down my phone by having my screen always in black-and-white (so no color), using Freedom to block certain apps during certain times, and just having deleted apps like Instagram from my phone. The grayscale screen is honestly so much more relaxing to look at than all the overly saturated colors my screen normally has, can recommend!
I've just changed my phone to b&w as well (I have the triple lock shortcut which will allow me to switch between color modes) and I have to say, it does make late-night scrolling so much more unappetizing
Nice article! I have a Light Phone 2.
the light phone 2 is something I would love to work up towards. how are you finding it?
I use it everyday and the calls are pretty clear. The hotspot works very well too. I’m also surprised how much a use the podcast tool.
Used to have music playing every time I got in my car whether a short or long drive. Since switching to a dumb phone (and even building a small library of music I own) I still drive in silence 90% of the time and have grown so comfortable with just thinking. Before that scared me and made me go down anxious spirals... turns out I just needed that little adjustment period to get used to an absence of noise.
10000% agree with this. once you acclimate to not having noise, your brain also doesn't seem so scary.
love the insights !
thank you sakshi!!
Recently, I’ve quit Instagram, and I feel sooo relaxed, productive, and happy with my time! I feel less inclined to know what’s happening in people’s lives; no more comparison or people-pleasing! Pinterest, Substack, and Spotify are my friends these days. I’ve even replaced Netflix with more sunsets and walks! Recently, I wrote this note on my notepad from my balcony, just listening to the sounds around me. I bet there were more than 10 different ones—and that’s when I noticed! Cutting through headphones and music, all these sounds, I might've never heard or even bothered to notice! The world is truly amazing without the noise. <3
Wow love this! I would be so interested to hear about how your friend made her phone a ‘dumb phone’!
definitely! will have to write a mini 1 with screenshots (it's insane, but it gets me thinking!)
I loved reading this, it really made me think. The whole time i was reading i was also aware of the irony of reading this on my screen. The calculator from unplugged was a really humbling experience too, thanks for sharing 🫶🏻
I saw this on your Instagram and it caused me to download substack!! Thank you for your wonderful words they really resonated with me 🫶
Lovely article. I’m not loving the trend of not using capital letters at the start of sentences. It’s alright for poems and short pieces, but really confusing in long pieces. It makes it harder to anticipate the start and end of sentences.
Im 23 and ive been very aware of my phone addiction for several years now. I feel like it all started the summer in middle school that I got my first laptop... id spend hours a day with unrestricted access to the internet and I would use it all summer long. At no point was my access to the internet limited... My parent complained about people being "glued to cell phones", but they never had an issue with the laptop. Once I eventually got my first smartphone, I would spend my entire evenings on it and I never gave it a second thought. But for the past few years, I've been highly aware of it and highly unable to stop. I've had my attempts, Ive temporarily un-installed instagram several times (the first time i did that was such a feat), but i still struggle to this day. I've told my friends but most of them really don't view it as a problem. I could talk about this subject for ages, but its grateful to see others share how I feel. It's a struggle I feel alone on, but only because no one discusses this out loud.
I’ve been finding myself on my phone more and more and wanting to scale back my screen time too. Wow is the calculator humbling. You forget how much life you miss with headphones constantly in, entertainment is such a crutch and takes so many hours away from the things we’re all wishing we had more time for. Thank you for writing this!!
i find that living in a city requires me to have music a lot. i just cant take the chatter of others around me!
I used to be this way, especially moving from the suburbs of california to the hectic city of london! but I really like using my commuting time to reply to text messages and I find it hard to do both (listen to music and also reply to texts effectively) which is what ultimately kicked the habit for me!