How I Beat My Phone Addiction
Freedom
This post is sponsored BrightStory, a boutique college admissions consulting company that that teaches teens life skills so they find success no matter where they go to college. It’s owned by Stanford graduate, professional journalist and “coach of admission coaches” Alice Chen, who also created Happy Asian Woman.
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I got my first smart phone 7 years ago and since then, my eyesight steadily declined.
My vision was stable for many years prior to the phone, so I have to think the very small screen contributed to my myopia.
I knew something had to change.
In the past, I was able to quit reading the news by blocking all of my favorite news sites on my phone, and eventually forgetting to check those sites.
A few weeks ago, I blocked Substack from my phone.
Yes, Substack, the platform I use to write this very newsletter — and read over 100 other newsletters.
Every once in a while I still read a few newsletters on my computer, but I’ve really cut back on reading on a screen.
What’s replaced surfing my phone?
-I read a 350-page book in 3 days (yes, probably still bad for my eyesight but hopefully not as bad as reading on a screen!)
-I have been listening to more podcasts, probably 1-2 hours a day.
-I am listening to an audiobook. This is slow and I realize I enjoy listening to podcasts more than audiobooks.
-I have been calling people to chat at night - perhaps twice a week rather than my usual once a week cadence.
What I’d like to do more of:
-Art - specifically, color and watercolor
-Yoga
-Walks
-Go to bed earlier, like 10:30 instead of 11 or 11:30
How do I feel about cutting back on my phone?
-Less frazzled - I think it’s because I’m not task switching as much. I still run to my computer too often to work, but I’m on my computer far less than my phone.
I’d still like to find other ways to fill the void of my phone addiction. What’s your relationship like with your phone?
What do you do instead of surfing the web on your phone?
Did you enjoy this post? If so, tap on the heart icon, comment or share so more people can beat the tech addiction.
twitter doesn’t exsist………
fakebook?
insta?
129 emails left………
LOL :P
I quit instagram and used my redeemed time on Substack. It may not need to be social media like if one focus on only reading.... so I tell myself :) that said, setting a time for reading sounds like a good plan than compulsive checking, I should consider that :)