Reclaiming My Time: The Journey from Smartphone to Flip Phone
Reflecting on my experience with smartphones over the years, I realize how much my perspective has evolved. In the beginning, these devices seemed magical, opening up a world of information and connectivity right in the palm of my hand. It felt empowering to have such a tool at my disposal, and I embraced the convenience a smartphone offered.
However, as time went by, I noticed a shift. The smartphone, once a tool for productivity and communication, slowly morphed into a source of constant distraction. The endless stream of notifications, the lure of social media feeds, and the easy access to a myriad of apps started eating into my productivity and mental peace. It was as if I was always "on," always connected, always available. The boundary between work and personal life blurred, and it felt like I was losing control over my own time.
In my quest to regain control, I tried various tricks and hacks. I tried to make my phone less appealing by limiting notifications, setting screen time limits, and even using grayscale mode. While these measures did help to some extent, they did not address the root of the problem. I was still carrying around a device that was designed to capture my attention, and it was all too easy to slip back into old habits.
That's why I have decided to make a radical change - I am switching to a flip phone. The idea is simple: by using a phone with limited capabilities, I will be forced to reduce my screen time. No more endless scrolling, no more hours wasted on mindless content consumption. It is a drastic move, but it feels necessary.
I can't deny that the transition is challenging. There may be moments when I am sure to miss the convenience of my smartphone, especially when it came to using certain apps. I have come to realize that most of "essential" apps were not really that essential. I'm learning to adapt and find alternative ways to manage my tasks.
The journey towards this change has been an enlightening one. With the flip phone, I anticipate having more free time, less mental clutter, and better focus. The idea of no longer being a slave to my phone, but instead using it as a tool as it was originally intended to be, is a promising one.
Interestingly, this journey with my smartphone has also made me reflect on my overall relationship with technology. It has made me realize how easy it is to get caught in the cycle of constant connectivity and consumption. I am becoming more mindful of how I use technology, with an aim to ensure that it serves me, not the other way around.
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Prompts: technology landscape, slave to technology
LOL! When my husband decided it was time to get new phones, he pointed out a flip phone for me. He said that's all I need. Well, he's right most of the time, because I don't do much with my phone except for phone calls and text. However, there are times I use it for GPS and looking something up when I'm away from my computer.
I enjoy having a smart phone for those few times I need it for those features, but I will have to admit that I'm not using it to it's potential.
I do, however, get upset with my family when we get together (not often enough) for a meal and everyone has to have their phones with them. I wonder, are they texting each other during that time or just trying to ignore each other?
Smartphones are extremely habit-forming. Developers invest a great deal of time and effort making their apps addictive.
If you have a smart device without mobile service, it's possible to download the maps for an area for offline use. Both Google Maps and Apple Maps offer this feature.
Something that I have been looking into is the benefit of boredom. I'm still researching. But the idea is that boredom is good for you as it results in creativity and motivation to do things.
I remember my parents both saying to us, their children, "If you have nothing to do, I'll give you something to do." I said the same thing to my children. Amazing what they find to do so as not to have to do chores!
I'm fortunate in that I haven't become addicted to my phone. I use it when necessary, but that's it. I'd say it's my age, but my husband, who is the same age, has to drop everything to look at his phone when he hears it "ding." He wonders why I don't do the same. I just tell him, "It's time for me to eat (or whatever), not use my phone." After all, what did we do before we had cell phones, or even answering machines? In my husband's case, before he even had a phone in his home? We only had a phone in our home, because my dad worked for the phone company! Otherwise I don't think he could have afforded it.
I will say, though, that if I'm sitting in a waiting room, I'll pull out my phone and read an online book. I used to carry a book around for that purpose, but now I don't have to carry a book around.
When I find myself getting too lost on my mobile phone, I will delete apps to break the cycle. A sort of pattern disrupt. I will redownload those addicting apps when I have a long break or when I need to lose myself because of work strain. It can be good to allow ourselves to get occasionally lost. But when losing time is more common, then it becomes an issue. Which is when I will delete those apps for a while. Usually weeks or months at a time.
The idea of going old school does seem like a healthy approach. I'm not ready to make that kind of commitment myself, but I can certainly see the appeal. Best of luck!
You don't really need to make such a drastic choice. I still have the iPhone with data only using the eSIM. I need the iPhone to do stuff. But I carry the flip phone with me as I need it to receive calls and texts. Everything else is postponed. I don't have email set up on it as I process email on the computer. Devices are being put to specific uses rather than doing it all.
Easing your way into less use or more specific use of the iPhone. Makes sense.