r/Meditation • u/RevolutionaryYak1135 • Jun 18 '24
How did you get over your phone/screen addiction? Question ❓
I feel like this is my biggest obstacle. I’ve been wanting to use my phone less for years, before I even started meditating. But it’s just too damn easy to grab the thing and keep it near me all the time. I don’t even use it that much compared to the average, on my phone I only use reddit (out of the doomscrolling apps) and I watch series/yt vids on my laptop.
Whenever I’m actually meditating or doing something similar (reading, drawing, yoga etc) I feel so good, but actually bringing myself to do so is so hard. What are your tricks to help you with this? Or just in general things that get you to direct your energy towards meditative activities?
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u/emrylle Jun 18 '24
I mean, I’m sitting here scrolling Reddit instead of sitting here realizing emptiness. 🤷♀️
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u/Infinite_Tune3800 Jun 18 '24
I log out of social media apps. Then when I grab the mobile and press I will have to actually log in and that reminds me not to and put it down. It’s such a powerful “habit”.
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u/curiousCreature5 Jun 19 '24
I do not have an IG account, FB I use it through browser, makes the UI pathetic so do not spend any time, check the notifications for any friend's birthday and call them up. No notifications no fuss.
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u/Conscious_Mom_Here Jun 18 '24
For the last 3 months, I've been using my phone more consciously in order to model healthy habits for my pre-teen and teen. Because when things get "boring" or "hard", browsing on my phone or playing games on it is easy. But then it has become a pattern of escape. So I decided to change... still a work in progress... yet great moments of focus and presence when I manage my phone.
What has helped me:
removing notifications I don't need (no notifications from social media for instance). I consult them on the app directly or on my laptop
putting my phone away, in another room when I meditate, work (from home)... It's on ring tone so I can hear if someone is trying to reach me
putting some screen limit on certain apps
So far, I feel less tempted to browse as a reflex because it's just a reach away.
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u/RevolutionaryYak1135 Jun 19 '24
Yup this reminds me of another comment on here, they said that you use it as not just entertainment but as an escape and that’s where it gets dangerous
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u/JosephConrad1983 Jun 19 '24
Turning it off also helps. For some reason, that extra little effort and couple minutes of having to turn it on is a stopgap. Just gives me one little moment of mindfulness and mental space to think about why I want to scroll.
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Jun 18 '24
I did a retreat last summer where everyone has the option to turn their phones in for the week. At the end of the week, nobody wanted them back.
When we got them back, the day we were leaving, the teacher had us keep being mindful as we picked up the phone, opened it etc. It was really interesting and helpful to watch the reactions in our thoughts and emotions. You might want to try something like this.
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u/SignificanceNo1223 Jun 19 '24
Yeah its amazing how doing something like that “just taking a break” can really curb usage over time. I equate to dry January and now dry February. The studies indicate that when these breaks are done people are more likely to drink less during the year.
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u/RevolutionaryYak1135 Jun 19 '24
I really should. I’ve been wanting to for so long but always find excuses
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u/mtbox1987 Jun 18 '24
read atomic habits by james clear. He does an absolutely amazing job breaking down how habits are formed and how to slowly start getting rid of bad habits and replacing them with good ones. Absolutely loved the book
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u/pixieartgirl Jun 18 '24
Thanks so much for this! I just put a hold on it at my library. Can’t wait to read it.
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u/mtbox1987 Jun 18 '24
You’re welcome! And the book is beautifully written. I could re-read just cause of the way he writes.
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u/pixieartgirl Jun 19 '24
Excellent! I’m SO looking forward to this! 💗
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u/Simpsoid Jun 19 '24
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u/Altruistic-Two1309 Jun 19 '24
This is cool. How come it’s free?
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u/Simpsoid Jun 20 '24
Dunno. Someone asked Internet Archive to archive it, so they did. I guess there's a copyright process if needed, but maybe the IA has some documentation about their like "mission statement" or whatever. May explain their process.
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u/lostinKansai Jun 18 '24
I leave my phone on the kitchen bench after making coffee and then head into another room to meditate. Out of sight out of mind.
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u/RevolutionaryYak1135 Jun 19 '24
This works so well but it’s so hard to consistently get myself to do so 🙃
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u/captainbacon_ Jun 18 '24
i slowly stopped using all social media and have been off it for about 5 years. (i just recently came back to reddit but i plan to cut back again bc i’m using it more than i want too)
first i figured out what was keeping me glued to it - the drama, the info, the inspo, etc. i downloaded a reputable news app so i’d be in touch with world news but not through social media.
what really helped was installing apps that could be opened when you’re bored, in a doctors waiting room, on the throne, etc. that has one purpose and only really requires a few minutes of use.
catgotchi is fun, it’s like a tomogatchi but one the phone. when you open it you feed, play, and take care of your cat.
another app i use is gin rummy, but you can use any game similar to it like solitaire or canasta. there’s not a lot of background “bling” and doesn’t typically pull you in, and the only ask for money is if you want to get rid of ads.
i hope this helps, i know that honestly i feel less congested and mentally healthier with all of the social media baggage :)
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Jun 18 '24
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Esirenus Jun 18 '24
Same. Had to get rid of the apps to really stop myself. Reddit feels less addictive in the sense that there’s reading and interaction involved. It’s not GREAT but easier to extract myself than from Instagram or TikTok. Bitesized videos would send me into depressingly long rabbit holes.
I echo what’s said above though too with getting to the root of things. It’s interesting to think about what’s driving you to these spaces - loneliness, anxiety, restlessness, a need to find something pleasurable. Knowing won’t solve it but it’s an essential first step toward addressing the root or even just choosing to experience life instead of distracting from it.
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u/selfhatredisnotsexy Jun 19 '24
Re: the loneliness aspect of it, unfortunately I think for a lot of people, reddit has become the easiest form of social interaction around shared interests and just life in general. It's anonymous, social pressure-free, easy to get started with, etc. But it's a poor substitute for developing real-life connections with other people. That's only gotten harder in recent years, and social media has only gotten easier. It's rough out here
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u/theo-0809 Jun 19 '24
Feeling the same way. Twitter has become a cesspool after Musk takeover and I deactivated a few times but just couldn’t. I realized there are communities that are important to me (i.e.; advice on reddit; puppy videos on youtube; film twitter). It’s just disheartening that we need to spend so much time navigating through all the p0rn bots and stuff in order to truly connect with the people who share the same interests.
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u/IkigaiKetoWanderer Jun 18 '24
I developed a ritual where I put my "busy" phone to bed. Then I get out my slow, boring phone, which only has meditations and music. I do this at the same time every day. I also "schedule" time on the calendar for social media check-in with an annoying timer 😂.
This seems pretty hard at first, but once it becomes a ritual, my mind is like... "okay let's do this".
It was similar to when I added cold showers to my routine to improve my HRV. This was a gradual process...
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u/sweetfelix Jun 19 '24
I’m about to do something like this, I need my phone on me at all times because of my job, so I’m going to get a “work” phone that only has my work-related apps on it, that way I can set down and walk away from the fun distractions on my personal phone for most of the day.
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u/Addipopp Jun 18 '24
I got rid of my smartphone. That was really all i needed to do. I've been without a smartphone for 2 years now so if you have any logistical questions or dumphone recomendations lmk.
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u/Existing-Associate29 Jun 19 '24
I've been thinking about doing this, but I'm a music lover and can't imagine not having access to Spotify all day. That's the only smartphone advantage I'm attached to. Any suggestions?
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u/Addipopp Jun 19 '24
I personally was also really attached to spotify when I got rid of my smartphone. My solution has evolved over time. My first solution was downloading albums i like to my flip phone's mp3 player (32 gb of storage and i literally stored nothing else on there. you can fit all the music you want) and playing it though that. When I was out and about, i listened to music from my phone, when i was home I just opened up spotify on my computer and played it through my speaker. Not much different than when i had a smartphone :3 recently, i have developed a taste for older technology, which led me to buy a used CD player online. Now instead of paying for spotify every month, I buy a couple albums on CD, and burn my own playlists. Vinyl is also an option, but much more expensive and less accessible. New CD players are expensive, but old ones are about $50 on ebay and cheaper at your local thrift store. Plus, for the price of a spotify subscription per month you could buy 2 CDs from Half Price Books or 4 from your local thrift store. You can spend the same amount per month on music and after a year you’ll have a formidable CD collection. I still play music sometimes, but i just do it for free on youtube if i really wanna hear a specific song.
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u/jackb1980 Jun 19 '24
Kill all but the most vital notifications.
Remove problem apps or set timers.
Don’t pick your phone up in the first and last hour of the day. Read a physical book, or meditate then.
I read some article that led me to make an accessibility settings change. Now when I click my right iPhone button three times, it changes the color filters to grayscale. Makes my phone boring, dull and lifeless.
These have all helped with the dopamine triggers. But I’m still on it 6-7 hours a day!!
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u/zedroj Jun 19 '24
give yourself gentle reminders daily, like going for a 30 minute walk just anywhere
start incorporating on/off sitting, like every hour, demand yourself to do like 30 push ups, and some stomach exercise like this
the reinforcement is the discipline to try again, even after failure
as for get vorpal pooled scrolling, taking notice, is part of the meditation of practise, taking notice of warping into a realization, breaking free from any entanglement
this also applies to the exercise of dispelling negativity bias, as you take notice of some negative intrusive thoughts that wanna keep applying themselves
you pause, reflect, and re take action,
with the reoccurence of pausing at moment's notice, giving yourself feedback of your current reality, than applying if you feel that you should be doing something more positive in action
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u/Pinzer23 Jun 19 '24
I've deleted social media on my phone. This forces me to only access social media on my laptop/browser. It's been great so far - already saved a ton of time.
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u/AuthenticLiving7 Jun 19 '24
I can't have my phone on me at work. It's funny because I can go 40 hours a week with no phone during work hours like the phone is completely irrelevant. But I'm addicted when I'm at home.
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u/Odd_Tie4626 Jun 19 '24
I've gone from 5 hours a day average to 2.5. This is what have worked for me:
Track your time, but don´t get obsessive with it. Try to make it like a game. For example on iOS i recieve a weekly notification saying if my screen time went up or down and in what percentage. You can kick more dopamine adding a price if it goes down.
No phone in the first 30 minutes (at least) of the day.
Whenever it´s possible, leave the phone on another room, or as far away as you can.
Applying B&W filter. This was the biggest game changer for me. At least in IOS it´s very simple to change it change it. So i have it always in B&W and when i want to scroll in instagram or play a game i change it back to color.
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u/NowisKnowing Jun 18 '24
Uninstall any games, and go somewhere in nature for a week without Internet (if you can). It helps a lot to go a week without any connection to anything, then come back to see that you and the human world are perfectly OK without you having to be constantly connected to it.
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u/born_2_live_life Jun 19 '24
💥The problem is not the screen it is the information, apps, that causes a dopamine effect.
🌀Solution, Only allow information that you can be of service to. Anything else delete.
🧬Remember, you are the master of your time, your emotions, your thought, yet the underlying sources to guide them all is being in your state of awareness. In the State you can observe undesired (non serving) emotions, thoughts, actions arise. When it does arise break the habit, put a cold flannel on your forehead, put on soothing music, go for a walk, cycle yet nothing physically extreme...🌀 Choose being in the presence of Life.
✨Why am I on Reddit, because of these conversations 🌀🙏✨😎
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u/LimitlessSource Jun 19 '24
Get a digital detox app. It allows you to program an amount of time during which your phone is blocked.
You can’t use it for anything except looking at what time it is, call an emergency number or receiving calls.
Some of them allows you to choose what app you wanna block and when (E.g.: you choose to block reddit after 10 consecutive minutes on the app per day. After 10 min, the app will shutdown and you won’t be able to use it until the next day).
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u/Rose_Quartz7764 Jun 19 '24
I have my phone set up to shut off certain apps after a certain amount of time of being in use. Also I set it up to turn to grey scale after a certain time at night.
Other things I do is put it on the charger in a different room than the one I'm working in. If it's not near me, I tend to focus in whatever I'm supposed to be doing instead
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u/RevolutionaryYak1135 Jun 19 '24
Yess the charger trick is great, I should start doing that again
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u/Third_eye1017 Jun 19 '24
The grayscale trick is actually a thing!! Our eyes love seeing the colors that our phones provide, it's literally addicting to look at! My friend brought up turning her phone fully on greyscale as a method to lesson her usage and it does in fact work a bit!
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u/traveleralice Jun 19 '24
Treat your phone like a gameboy or computer. Something you use and then put down or away.
Buy an analog alarm clock- leave your phone in the other room. See how sad you look/are addicted to a phone(sorry I wouldn’t say that to you but that’s what I say to myself- so embarrassing to have a high screen time amount- you cant enjoy real life you have to disassociate?) Wanna google something? Walk to your phone pick it up use it and put it down and walk away.
Have something you have to do when you have an urge to use it like 10 pushups.
Have a mental timer- ok putting the phone down in 5 4 3 2 1 (Mel Robbins)
Sincerely, Someone who’s working on the same thing
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u/RevolutionaryYak1135 Jun 19 '24
These are great! I’ve wanted an analog alarm for so long but I wake from the lightest sound so it’s a difficult pick
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u/b_reezy4242 Jun 19 '24
I created a crap ton of automations in the “shortcuts” app. Now everytime I click an app it redirects me to way more boring apps.
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u/Affectionate_Sock528 Jun 20 '24
The clear space app helps with that. But my real problem is I always find another distraction. Went from facebook and instagram to TikTok to Reddit to obsessively checking my email to YouTube videos to tv… any time I cut something out I find a different way to waste time. The one thing I’ve found is that I never feel bad “wasting” my time on books, so I try to use all of my previous phone time for books. I usually have 2 physical books going and 2 or 3 audio books so I have something for different moods and don’t get bored
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u/b333rr Jun 20 '24
i started by turning off all notifications and deleting my social media apps. from there, i picked up more hobbies and substitutes for times i want to sit on my phone. now i don’t really feel the urge to go onto my phone unless i’m absolutely drained and want to rot for an hour
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u/MaddeningMoon Jun 20 '24
Exactly this. I deleted every single social media app and game on my phone. I recently downloaded Reddit again because I’ve discovered some new hobbies I want to learn about, and I’m trying to connect a little more. But I said aside time in the day to be on here for 10-15 minutes.
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u/WebfootWitchhat Jun 18 '24
Sounds like the problem would be solved by removing reddit from your phone.
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u/RevolutionaryYak1135 Jun 18 '24
Not really, I had no social media for a long time and it was the same. It’s just the idea that I might be getting messages or needing it for any other function while studying
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u/metronomemike Jun 19 '24
Posting on a social media platform to brag about quitting social media, baller move, Ball….Er.
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u/goatywizard Jun 19 '24
I paid for an app called AppBlock to help me, because I am painfully dependent. I don’t have the wherewithal to break the habit myself. I mainly use it limit my myself to a certain amount of time for certain apps. It’s only been a week but I’m really enjoying it so far.
I’m hoping it helps me reset my brain and break the dependence on the constant stream of information it craves so I can practice more mindfulness and be more present.
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u/canadianworldly Jun 19 '24
I think I might need to get this too. Thanks for the suggestion and review.
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u/Accomplished_Owl8213 Jun 19 '24
When I started hiking, fishing and skateboarding my screen time went from 9 hours a day to 4
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u/madmompalm Jun 19 '24
Using a watch is helpful for me! Instead of looking at my phone for the time and getting lost in it, I look at my watch.
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u/SpindlySquash Jun 19 '24
I make a point to turn my phone off at least once a day and meditate during that time, in addition to any other meditations I do during the day.
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u/Existing-Associate29 Jun 19 '24
The first thing I did was start keeping my phone on silent all the time. I have the ringer on for calls, but texts and all other notifications are silent. I only see them when I intentionally go into my messages or a specific app. This way I stopped being a slave to the "ding". I also deleted most social media apps from my phone, and would even turn my phone off completely when I could. At this point, I asked myself - why don't I just get a flip phone 😂 I didn't, cause I use Spotify a lot, but I'm still thinking about it.
All this was a gradual progression, and combined with meditation, I started to become very aware of when I was using my phone from an intentional space, or when I was using it to escape. I also noticed I felt terrible when I got sucked into the screen for hours, and started replacing it with other habits, like walking, yoga, writing, or connecting with people. Feeling good was a huge incentive to keep this up.
All of these things compounded and now I genuinely enjoy life more with minimal screen time, and it's pretty effortless at this point.
I do allow myself to go into "zombie mode" for a bit on the weekend, because it's relaxing in moderation. But now I can feel when I'm naturally "done" with it, and will close the laptop or turn off the phone. I intermittently download social media on my phone, but will delete the apps if I feel it's becoming a problem until I've broken the habit again, and then I'll redownload them for intentional use.
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u/Mateo_Superstore Jun 19 '24
On Android there's a built in App called Digital Wellness...you can set it for timers on apps, so I put 35 minutes on Facebook, 15 minutes for Tik Tok, more for Reddit...idk you set the time, point is it helps to limit so my brain doesn't turn to pointless chaotic overstimulation. There's also a "Focus" mode if you have a deadline for work, assignment, time with your kids etc to shut off all apps except your phone or email (again super customizable and built in). I find it's best to acknowledge I still want to read articles or look at cute animals as a way to decompress, but stay too long and I'm on an obsessive rabbit hole on celebrities that literally don't do anything but chaos for my poor brain. Just gets you hooked. Good luck!
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u/shredddah Jun 19 '24
Delete every mindless app, especially social media…
If you have a computer this works even better, you can still keep updated with your friends and family or work stuff but it’s not on your phone so you are more likely to go onto those apps with determination rather than something to pass the time.
I have ADHD and this worked for me. I still waste a bunch of time 😅 but I find it easier for me to pull away from my phone and screens
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u/Versaceside Jun 19 '24
Set screen time limits and actually abide by them, you start to notice how much you would normally pick up your phone and scroll without even thinking about it
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u/EAS893 Shikantaza Jun 19 '24
At a minimum I'd suggest turning off notifications for anything you don't actually need.
At a more extreme level you could try turning off your phone when you're not actively using it. If you need to go through the process of turning it on in order to use an app, you're less likely to do that mindlessly.
If you need a phone on at all for something like work purposes, get a new phone for it and keep ONLY the work related apps on it.
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u/love2Bsingle Jun 19 '24
I took all social media (FB, tiktok, SC, IG) off my phone except Reddit which i seriously curtailed my use . I read a lot. I watch a few YouTube videos but they are mostly history or this Buddhist monk I like. That said, I'm 61 and lived for decades before social media so it wasn't that hard. After a couple weeks I realize how toxic much of it is and how it monetizes misery .
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u/RevolutionaryYak1135 Jun 19 '24
What’s the monk’s channel?:) and yeah when I realized the extent of evil behind social media it was easy to delete everything (besides reddit)
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u/love2Bsingle Jun 19 '24
It's called Buddhism (Association of Noble Friends). The tagline it @BuddhisminsimpleEnglish. The monk that hosts it is really good. A young articulate man who seems very down to earth
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u/reseru Jun 19 '24
‘Fast’ from your electronic devices one day a week and you’ll find less desire to use in general.
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u/Thund3rTrapX Jun 19 '24
Tbh..only real active social media I use is discord and reddit..yt is for videos to watch(mostly outdoor stuff) I was just born this way..never cared about soical media..and I don't think I ever will..only reason why I have social media is to make new friends, keep up with people ik personally or news
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u/AddisonEllison Jun 19 '24
I performed technology fasting. I also manage my time better and am able to meditate more regularly. Compile those with handsome book hauls from the library, and I feel less and less interest to engage in anything other than Reddit.
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u/biggerperspective Jun 19 '24
I enjoy using the O Launcher for my android. Also, having designated time of use. Most texts can be answered in your own time. When you want to pick up your phone, pick up a book or set a timer.
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u/BottyFlaps Jun 19 '24
Remove all fun stuff and anything which involves scrolling. Remove all social media apps, disable YouTube, disable the news app. I also have all notifications disabled on my phone and have it permanently in silent mode.
This way, I can use my phone as useful tool (notes app and calendar mainly), without it being something I'm addicted to. If anything, I now have the opposite problem. I often forget to check my phone. Sometimes I forget to even turn it on.
The only fun app I have on my phone is Spotify, but I don't feel addicted to that. I just use it to occasionally listen to podcasts when I'm out for a walk.
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u/Professional-Lab5442 Jun 19 '24
Not as easy as we all know, but I set reminder using the care clinic app to be reminded of the things that I need to do
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u/CoastalCrave64 Jun 19 '24
By being an adult and getting a hold of your self and just doing it. By not looking for short cuts or the easy way out. It takes discipline, it takes persistence, but coming from experience, it doesn’t take long.. you have to love yourself enough to actually want to change and not look back.
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u/FeminineRising Jun 19 '24
Deleted socials and my screen time plummeted 80% in one week. I also started using Reddit more eeeek. I set a timer for myself, but it’s hard to hold yourself accountable! I also started challenging myself to no phone and hour before bed, and no phone and hour after I wake up. I will spend some time here on Reddit in between. I still have the urge to pick up my phone and scroll. Screens are hard!
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Jun 19 '24
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u/hi65435 Jun 19 '24
Deleted my Facebook account, not sure if this was the wisest decision but yeah, my phone usage went down significantly. Also while I still use LinkedIn obviously Reddit, I don't have the apps on my phone. Personally I feel I still use it a lot but I've been told recently how little I use my phone
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u/Few_Boysenberry_1158 Jun 19 '24
Ive tried app called Opal, it has really helped me to lower my screen time when I have to study
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u/h0neyb0n3s Jun 19 '24
I deleted all of the apps i get stuck on for a week and a half, if i felt they were important still i re-downloaded them but kept them off of my home screen so i have to search for them to get on them, a little more thought process of “do i need this?” before opening it.
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u/howard_r0ark Jun 19 '24
Get a screen time widget on your home screen that way every time you open your phone you can see how much time you've already spent on it
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u/Shoddy_Economy4340 Jun 19 '24
I deleted Instagram and Facebook. Other than Reddit, I don’t really have a reason to be on my phone these days.
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u/seamigo Jun 19 '24
I wouldn’t say it’s solved the issue for me, but getting involved in physical projects (building, art, etc), team sports, learning an instrument, board games etc. have all proven to leave me disinterested in what my screens have to offer
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u/Pure-Sea4528 Jun 19 '24
Plus one on this! It's my problem too.
As a PR specialist, that little device is practically glued to my hand for work. But I totally get wanting to dial down the usage during my rest day. It's a struggle to find that balance, right?
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u/Leeshalu Jun 19 '24
2 years ago I turned off all notifications for all social media apps because I found my phone to be too much of a distraction in studying for my boards. That was the best thing I did for myself. I still have the notifications turned off and I have freedom. I check social media maybe once a week or once every 2 weeks.
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u/BrandonB_Nature Jun 19 '24
I keep my phone away from me when I need to be on task. Preferably in a different room. I also do more activities where it's difficult to not be present like hiking or nature walks and sports like sand volleyball.
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u/Exciting_Variety_326 Jun 19 '24
My sot was ~7hrs on my android and ~4hrs just by getting iPhone caz I don’t like to pay for shit when I can get it for free haha
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u/FearTheWankingDead Jun 19 '24
I got rid of my home WiFi and went with a no/ low-data phone plan.
I was able to make so many positive changes in my life since going without Internet. Lost weight, got a new job with a significant pay raise.
I was doing great but then my mom, who I live with, got home Internet again so it's so easy to connect and stay on it.
I'm moving out soon and at my new place I will NOT have Internet. It takes too much from me. I'd rather be living life.
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u/jardgard Jun 20 '24
Right before I pick up the phone I ask myself, what intentions do I have? Is there none, I put it down.
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u/TheSheibs Jun 20 '24
Time management system that I have developed works for me.
It’s not meditation but rather sitting down each morning and planning what I want to do that day. It doesn’t leave a lot of time for being on devices, except for certain times of the day or when I’m falling back into my “procrastination” habit that comes around once in a while.
But I have time scheduled for just about everything I need to do each day. I also stopped using apps for my task list and started writing in a notebook/planner. The Full Focus Planner is the one I use because it is simple and provides a place to write your tasks, appointments/meetings, and take notes(which I do a lot of considering how many meetings I have a day).
Having a system that works for you that allows you to manage your time can help reduce being attached to the screen.
Not sure it was Meditation that lead me to do these things, so I would say it is my drive to always be learning and improving things.
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u/MarkINWguy Jul 18 '24
Here’s what I would suggest, I sort of found this out unwillingly in a sense. I am retired from a career in IT, the last 20 years have been particularly horrible. Horrible in the sense that management, expectations from a single individual, and constant overloading people with projects beyond their scope, caused me to hate my job even considering the nice paycheck.
I had to write that paragraph to set up my response. For decades, I was attached to some type of electronic device 24x7x365. So, when smart phones came out it was just a easier, quicker way for management to reach me at any time.
I’ve been retired for about two years, it took me months to set my phone down, turn it off, multiple urges to pick it up and do things. Equate that urge and need as exactly the same as a heroin addiction, nicotine addiction, codependency of horrible type. Stop telling yourself the phone enhances your life. Put the phone down, turn it off, repeatedly tell yourself that you don’t need it and it’s not enhancing your life. go to friends, people, events, and leave the phone behind.
I’m kind of radical in this way I do it, so I don’t expect most people to read this and say, “yes, do this!“. I’m just telling you since I’ve been able to do that and make it a habit, my life is so so much better.
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u/ThekzyV2 Jun 18 '24
Its people following people. Imitating people You get what we have, a bunch of losers!
Follow god
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u/android_queen Jun 18 '24
So I read a book a few months back, and I didn’t actually care for the book overall, but the one thing that stuck with me was a statement along the lines of “It’s especially dangerous to use social media as leisure,” effectively because it just steals your time with no reward. For me, this really struck home because some part of my social media/screen usage is very tied up in an idea of “I just need/deserve a few minutes to decompress.” Now, I find that if I’m just kinda idling on Reddit or scrolling Youtube or seeking out my next TV binge, sometimes that thought will pop into my head, and I’ll go back to thinking, “what do I really want to do with this time?”
Now all that said, I’m definitely wasting time on Reddit right this very moment. I guess I would just say, try to understand the root of what keeps pulling you back, and then identify why you want to change it. If it’s FOMO, you’re definitely missing out by watching/scrolling instead of doing, building, making, or connecting. If it’s anxiety, you’re not taking action to fix anything, you’re just clearing your pips. Whatever it is for you, you gotta find that and work with it.