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swan_towerThird in a series of random posts on things that might be of use to others, with the usual disclaimers that nothing works for everybody.
I don't remember where I got linked to this, but the Guardian has a ~5 installment series of weekly emails about how to "reclaim your brain," i.e. dial back the amount of time you're spending each day on your phone. The tilde is there because you get an introductory email at the outset and a week six bonus, so it's actually seven emails all told -- and they do sign you up for a couple of other things once that ends, which isn't entirely great, but on the other hand the stuff you get signed up for is e.g. "Well Actually," which is a fairly positive-oriented newsletter about health and wellness, so it could be worse. Still and all, you might have to unsubscribe from things after "Reclaim Your Brain" ends, if you're not interested in other emails.
In general, the series gives you instructions on how to figure out the average amount of time you use your phone each day and take a good look at how that time is being spent -- obviously there's a difference between three hours spent doom-scrolling social media and three hours spent immersed in a great ebook. Then they walk you through techniques to help you break the negative habits you have around usage. All of this more top-level advice is paired with personalized accounts from a guy who realized he'd become extremely unhealthy in his relationship with his phone and social media, so you get both the analytical and emotional sides of the tale.
I, uh. Still need to sit down and implement some of their advice? My issue with my phone isn't actually social media, it's games like solitaire, but it's still true that I'm not happy with how much time I wind up unthinkingly spending on things of that type, rather than something I would find more rewarding. Especially since I have a strong tendency to reach for them in any idle moment, e.g. standing in line at a store, and it's entirely possible that downtime of that sort is a vital component of my work: if I'm poking at a game on my phone, I'm more likely not noodling with a story in the back of my head. Over time, that's going to add up to a problem, since "let yourself be bored" is quite possibly a key element in creativity.
But even though I'm not yet a success story for the Guardian's series, I do recommend "Reclaim Your Brain" to anybody who would like to reduce their phone usage. You can always be like me and save the emails for later . . .
(originally posted at Swan Tower: https://is.gd/plKSE7)
I don't remember where I got linked to this, but the Guardian has a ~5 installment series of weekly emails about how to "reclaim your brain," i.e. dial back the amount of time you're spending each day on your phone. The tilde is there because you get an introductory email at the outset and a week six bonus, so it's actually seven emails all told -- and they do sign you up for a couple of other things once that ends, which isn't entirely great, but on the other hand the stuff you get signed up for is e.g. "Well Actually," which is a fairly positive-oriented newsletter about health and wellness, so it could be worse. Still and all, you might have to unsubscribe from things after "Reclaim Your Brain" ends, if you're not interested in other emails.
In general, the series gives you instructions on how to figure out the average amount of time you use your phone each day and take a good look at how that time is being spent -- obviously there's a difference between three hours spent doom-scrolling social media and three hours spent immersed in a great ebook. Then they walk you through techniques to help you break the negative habits you have around usage. All of this more top-level advice is paired with personalized accounts from a guy who realized he'd become extremely unhealthy in his relationship with his phone and social media, so you get both the analytical and emotional sides of the tale.
I, uh. Still need to sit down and implement some of their advice? My issue with my phone isn't actually social media, it's games like solitaire, but it's still true that I'm not happy with how much time I wind up unthinkingly spending on things of that type, rather than something I would find more rewarding. Especially since I have a strong tendency to reach for them in any idle moment, e.g. standing in line at a store, and it's entirely possible that downtime of that sort is a vital component of my work: if I'm poking at a game on my phone, I'm more likely not noodling with a story in the back of my head. Over time, that's going to add up to a problem, since "let yourself be bored" is quite possibly a key element in creativity.
But even though I'm not yet a success story for the Guardian's series, I do recommend "Reclaim Your Brain" to anybody who would like to reduce their phone usage. You can always be like me and save the emails for later . . .
(originally posted at Swan Tower: https://is.gd/plKSE7)
