Play Book Tag discussion

Although I am not a New Year's Resolutions person, I did acknowledge that perhaps it was time to consider that I spend, no WASTE too much time on my phone. I know that there are many people who feel the same way. This book was a fast read, insightful, and practical. The first half of the book presents all the background on why our phones are addictive (they sre designed that way!) and how that addiction messes with your attention span, memory, sleep, and real-life relationships. It is definitely a mental health issue. The second half lays out a 30-day plan to "break up" with your phone, but not totally. The end result of the plan is to build a healthy relationship with your phone, whatever that means for you. There are many very practical suggestions on how to make this happen, and I have adopted many of them, without committing to the 30-day plan. I will see if those changes lead to sustainable changes in my behavior!

Good for you Shelly!

Shelly wrote: "Although I am not a New Year's Resolutions person, I did acknowledge that perhaps it was time to consider that I spend, no WASTE too much time on my phone. I know that there are many people who fee..."

Lol, I don't really want to read this book, but I do want to break-up with my phone!!! Any quick tips that you might have for a fellow phone addict.

Personally, I am not sure I need a plan because I actually want to cut back, and I think it is just a matter of realizing what sucks me in. Looking at you Google newsfeed.

On the flip side, there are good things on my phone too, so I just want to spend more time reading and a lot less time surfing!

Seconding Anita! All tips welcome. Especially since I first viewed this post at 5.15am when I was on GR on my damn phone...

Here are some of the things I did.
1. Found screentime app which has alot of good info on how much time you spend doing what over past 7 days. Just knowing it is there has helped b/c I do not want to be confronted by the ugly truth!
2. Turned off all sound notifications.
3. Restructured home screen so it only presents real tools that I NEED (ie.g for me that includes camera, weather, alltrails, messages, instacart, calendar, among others. I have 16 apps on my home screen.
4. I set up the Do Not Disturb settings for 10 pm to 8 am. This makes me comfortable keeping my phone on my night table overnight because it is only real phone calls that will come through, which is what I need for peace of mind.
5. Moved FB and Instagram to 3rd screen and placed them in a folder labeled Junk Food. Now requires 2 swipes and 2 clicks to get to them!
6. Wallpaper says FOMO in big letters (Fear of Missing OUt) which is a big reason I pick up my phone. Reminds me to think about why I am reaching for my phone.

Shelly wrote: "Here are some of the things I did.
1. Found screentime app which has alot of good info on how much time you spend doing what over past 7 days. Just knowing it is there has helped b/c I do not want ..."

Great tips, Shelly!!! I actually already do #2 and #3 and #4, but #5 is genius. I am going to move all my addictive time wasters into a folder like you say that is hard to access. Smart. Hope I can figure out how to do it! I'm bad with my phone.

Thanks so much for sharing!!

I am the worst with my phone. It is always right next to me if not in my hand. I did set up the do not disturb feature and have to say it pretty great!

I think I am the worst offender first thing in the morning when I wake up. I often grab my phone and check email and read the news in bed. Not that there is anything wrong with news reading, but at least I could maybe get out of bed for it! lol.

I do not really sit down and do random things in my phone. I check FB and Insta once a day, maybe twice, and I do not really just peruse YouTube videos. I have a couple games I play but the only time I really settle into those for long stretches is if I am listening to an audiobook.

But the news, texting, PBT, and just generally googling anything I am mildly curious about gets me! Lol

Great tips thanks!