Yes, I always try to say a phone is just a tool. It shouldn’t be used for anything that doesn’t enrich your life e.g. staying organized, intentional connection with others, or reading Substack! The discipline you have to cut it to minutes is astonishing. It wouldn’t take me just 1 year but a lifetime of training to almost completely disconnect like that.
Don't give me too much credit! I hang around 45 minutes, but I also do a fair amount of texting from my laptop which doesn't track screen time. The screen time on my personal laptop is probably way higher to do some of the same things you're talking about and more. So the single data point is not the most realistic measure of productivity. It of course depends on the device you use to read, enjoy, and connect. Limiting social media via phone has helped me a lot. But, if I was factoring in Substack and work all on the same device it would be a different story! It's just about finding the right balance and medium that works for you and it sounds like you have the right idea :)
I am a big believer of the strategy you talk about where you keep your phone as “default” as possible. I even keep the background very plain and it has helped me a lot. Love the article
Every time I take a break I feel so relieved! This was good to read. It’s wonderful to hear others recognizing this feeling and talking about it.
Thank you so much for reading, Jolie! It’s definitely a topic of importance and it’s awesome that you’re a part of the conversation :)
Yes, I always try to say a phone is just a tool. It shouldn’t be used for anything that doesn’t enrich your life e.g. staying organized, intentional connection with others, or reading Substack! The discipline you have to cut it to minutes is astonishing. It wouldn’t take me just 1 year but a lifetime of training to almost completely disconnect like that.
Don't give me too much credit! I hang around 45 minutes, but I also do a fair amount of texting from my laptop which doesn't track screen time. The screen time on my personal laptop is probably way higher to do some of the same things you're talking about and more. So the single data point is not the most realistic measure of productivity. It of course depends on the device you use to read, enjoy, and connect. Limiting social media via phone has helped me a lot. But, if I was factoring in Substack and work all on the same device it would be a different story! It's just about finding the right balance and medium that works for you and it sounds like you have the right idea :)
I am a big believer of the strategy you talk about where you keep your phone as “default” as possible. I even keep the background very plain and it has helped me a lot. Love the article
*Someone* told me the government was tracking me so I went into default mode.