I wish there way a way to get rid of all suggested posts on fb/insta. My screentime of seeing and talking to people i know is so low, its getting stuck in reels that fucks me. (i know the apps are literally designed this way so they can keep my attention etc but man it sucks. I want dumb apps not dumb phones)
I have a hack (for Android at least) for dumbing my phone. I put it on extreme battery saver mode. It blocks all apps and notifications except the ones I have asked it to leave on.
I do it whenever I go away camping, but I think I'd benefit from doing it more often. Maybe this article will motivate me to make it a weekly of even a daily thing
I've been using the Brick to block social media and safari on my phone for most of the day to great effect. I have to physically tap my phone to the Brick to unlock it. I leave my maps, bank, weather, email, camera, podcast, music etc apps all working so I can use those as tools as needed. But not having safari working or instagram etc is a huge boost.
I think you sum it up so well here. The ideal doesn't always work for us for a number of reasons. I personally use the Brick and love it. I have experimented with different combos of settings for what I want available (and not available) during different activities or time periods. For instance, I have a reading setting because as soon as I sit down to read a book my brain pings and tells me to check what the spirit day theme is the next day so I block my email during that time. I have a weekend setting that makes it more dumb phone like but still have access to tools like maps. It really has helped me figure out what I want my phone to be in different contexts.
I've been using Freedom for a couple of years and I love it. I'm retired and mostly at home, so I don't use my phone as much as my laptop or iPad. My big time wasters are Facebook and news sites so I block those most days until 6pm. I block email until noon, so I don't get distracted by wonderful Substacks like TechnoSapiens until I've put in a productive morning. With all of the political turmoil going on now, I'll frequently cheat and take the blocks down sooner than my goal, but on the days I stick with it I am definitely calmer and more relaxed by evening.
Thank you for this helpful rundown! I'm only a month into utilizing Downtime and it has been a game-changer. I, too, wanted to believe I could rely on my own self-discipline. Wrong. The biggest immediate improvement I've noticed is focus and attention span — totally humbling for a mom of 2 young kids.
I wish there way a way to get rid of all suggested posts on fb/insta. My screentime of seeing and talking to people i know is so low, its getting stuck in reels that fucks me. (i know the apps are literally designed this way so they can keep my attention etc but man it sucks. I want dumb apps not dumb phones)
I have a hack (for Android at least) for dumbing my phone. I put it on extreme battery saver mode. It blocks all apps and notifications except the ones I have asked it to leave on.
I do it whenever I go away camping, but I think I'd benefit from doing it more often. Maybe this article will motivate me to make it a weekly of even a daily thing
Oh this is so smart!!
I've been using the Brick to block social media and safari on my phone for most of the day to great effect. I have to physically tap my phone to the Brick to unlock it. I leave my maps, bank, weather, email, camera, podcast, music etc apps all working so I can use those as tools as needed. But not having safari working or instagram etc is a huge boost.
I use the Brick too. I love it!
Ooh I've never actually used the Downtime settings, excited to try!
I think you sum it up so well here. The ideal doesn't always work for us for a number of reasons. I personally use the Brick and love it. I have experimented with different combos of settings for what I want available (and not available) during different activities or time periods. For instance, I have a reading setting because as soon as I sit down to read a book my brain pings and tells me to check what the spirit day theme is the next day so I block my email during that time. I have a weekend setting that makes it more dumb phone like but still have access to tools like maps. It really has helped me figure out what I want my phone to be in different contexts.
Superb article, dear Dr. Jacqueline Nesi
Very helpful recommendations. If you do not mind, I will be using it in my articles!
here is my approach to it
https://dontdespairwegotit.substack.com/p/the-best-thing-i-did-for-myself-and
I just got rid of it all together! No more bills, no more distractions, no more radiation!
For my naturopathic practice I use RingCentral on my computer for phone calls, fax, etc.
+ emails.
Highly recommend to anybody!
All the best!
I've been using Freedom for a couple of years and I love it. I'm retired and mostly at home, so I don't use my phone as much as my laptop or iPad. My big time wasters are Facebook and news sites so I block those most days until 6pm. I block email until noon, so I don't get distracted by wonderful Substacks like TechnoSapiens until I've put in a productive morning. With all of the political turmoil going on now, I'll frequently cheat and take the blocks down sooner than my goal, but on the days I stick with it I am definitely calmer and more relaxed by evening.
Thank you for this helpful rundown! I'm only a month into utilizing Downtime and it has been a game-changer. I, too, wanted to believe I could rely on my own self-discipline. Wrong. The biggest immediate improvement I've noticed is focus and attention span — totally humbling for a mom of 2 young kids.