My cell phone addiction, and what I’m going to do about it
aka my unhealthy relationship with social media and connectivity
I’ve come to really look at my cell phone use, in particular my use of my phone on the internet, as something I need to monitor and curb. While a lot of my interactions are very pleasant and positive - keeping in touch with friends and family who live far away, checking in with former students and delighting in their milestones, following other artists and their work - I often get sucked down so many rabbit holes. I listen to or watch videos on YouTube and listen to Podcasts while I complete other daily tasks. This wouldn’t be such an issue, but I’ve noticed that I waste a lot of time, am less patient and attentive to my kids, and I feel more emotionally volatile. Despite having turned off the majority of notifications, I pick the phone up and look at it CONSTANTLY. It’s gotten ridiculous. It’s intruding on my productivity and my peace of mind.
SO…what’s to be done?
I’ve decided to try a few different things to keep me off of social media and out of the news vortex. I’ll keep trying these for the next week and will give a brief update next Friday.
1. I made my display grey scale (aka black and white). This is visually jarring, so when I mindlessly pick up my phone, I can often just stop myself in the moment. It also makes the thing a little tricky to navigate, so I have to slow down and intentionally access the app I want if I need to make a call, text someone, or check the calendar.
Normally, my display looks something like this.
In the settings on my phone I’ve made it so that I triple click the side button on the right to toggle back and forth.
2. I complete daily chores and tasks WITHOUT media playing in the background. Weirdly this has helped me to remember to breathe. On day one of my “reset”, I caught myself holding my breath numerous times. I would pause, relax my abdomen, and I would take a moment to take a deep, slow breath in and out. Additionally, and I think much more importantly, it has reminded me how to slow down and be more patient with my three year old. There are a lot of tasks where she can participate, but if my mind is already stretched by distractions, I’m not as able to be patient to incorporate her in the “grown-up” tasks. She really enjoys throwing clothes in the washer, peeling hardboiled eggs, mixing dough, scrubbing the plastic cups and bowls, and even sweeping the floor with her little broom.
3. I’m doing daily planning. I’m getting back to my daily AM and PM use of my Panda Planner. I love my Venture Panda Planner - it’s not perfect for all the things I do, but I have adapted it not just for my small business but also for my household and homestead. It is the best pre-made planner that I’ve found for my needs. This helps me to track my daily and weekly priorities and to track progress. As a mother I can often do a fair amount in a day and feel like I’ve accomplished absolutely nothing. The end of day Evening Review helps me to really look at all that I’ve done and to take a moment to celebrate my wins.
I use a Panda Planner (Venture), which has calendar, weekly, and a daily sections. It comes blank with space for business planning. I love the flexibility.
4. I’m writing my Morning Pages again finally! Each morning BEFORE getting into the day, I write three pages long-hand in a journal. A number of years ago I discovered a book and journaling method called The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron via The Tim Ferriss Show podcast. The only way to describe the effect of The Artist’s Way is to say that it was completely life changing. I am a much happier and more whole creative because of working through and following this fantastic work. Through this critical journaling work, I found my way back to my own creative practice and made peace with some very painful aspects of my past and difficult situations in regard to my present at the time. I highly recommend this book and this practice of writing Morning Pages to anyone and everyone, even if, or especially if, you’re creative but don’t necessarily consider yourself an artist.
My morning mess…I mean pages! Sometimes I grab a cup of coffee or tea…or coffee AND tea and try to hammer these out after my oldest leaves and before the littles wake up.
This is what I’m trying for the next week. I’ll report back as to how my efforts are (or are not!) working. As we head into the holiday season, I’m looking forward to being more present for my family.
What are you doing this holiday season to center your focus on what matters most to you?
Interested in purchasing any of the items mentioned in this blog post?
Here are some Amazon Affiliate links to the actual items I use in my daily life. None of the businesses that produce these items are sponsors, but if you use any of the links below to make your purchase, I will earn a small commission for your use of the link on this blog page. Thanks!
Panda Planner - Venture
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
Bic Gelocity 0.7 Gel Pens - THESE ARE AMAZING!!!
These are my favorite inky pens for at least the last five years. They deliver a solid, black, smooth line consistently. I use these exclusively for my planner and journaling.
Still here? Help yourself to a free printable download of Gratefulness Tags to use with your family this Thanksgiving Season. Thanks for the read! See you next time!!
