Okay. I have thoughts. They may not be particularly good ones, but they ARE thoughts.
I have actually recently asked myself what about my iPhone is causing me to behave like magpie on crack--running after one shiny little thing to the next.
When someone suggested a boycott of FB and IG for a week. I decided I wouldn't look at SM for that entire period. OMG. (she said, pretending she was still a teenager.) Anyway, I got soooo much done. So...
I'm considering removing all SM thing-ys off my smart phone...but I'm KEEPING Kindle so I can read in line etc. (Because that has value.)
Having said all that...(more like, babbled all that) I think it's a matter of discipline--which is SO hard...but as a senior tech exec friend of mine said yesterday when we were doing a catch up call--You've got to figure out where your "net positive" actions come from. If--for example--SM (other than Substack) doesn't generate a net positive--leave it behind. My Smart phone is a net positive--It's ME, the USER, than can have a net negative effect.
So, so true, Diana. I've taken off basically everything with a reverse-chronological feed off my phone, and changed it to grayscale -- going to see how that goes :)
My wife reads books from the library on her iPad but on her iPhone when we’re traveling and her iPad was left home. We do a really good job of leaving our phones and iPads in another room when we’re eating dinner. We do look at the local paper online at breakfast.
Diana I would just add that you're in good company when it comes to the power the iPhone has over you and that it's designed to have that very effect. It's good to remind ourselves that the goal of these products is to be very, very, very sticky.
Smart phone + social media can be dangerous and toxic - while I’m not dependent, I’ve come to realize that I allowed both too early into my kids’ lives when they were in their early teens. Luckily we came out of the dark times without catastrophic results. For those with tweens or younger kids I recommend reading and considering the advice from an eye opening book by Jonathan Haidt “The Anxious Generation”
I think about this constantly. I don't use any kind of social media and I'm still addicted to to the dumb (smart) thing. I'm resistant to phone upgrades, so my smart phone is pretty old, and when it inevitably stops working due to IOS upgrades or whatever, I think it's time for a dumb phone and an iPod. I miss my iPod.
Same here! I can't imagine going back to physical CDs; I LOVED my iPod. I have an iPhone 11 now and no desire to upgrade -- I can see just sticking with this forever until it no longer works. (Which may be sooner than I think, who knows?)
Started with an iPhone 3, then an 8, now have a paid-off 13 … do the math, I’m waiting for the 18 to come out. Not a gamer so it’s just basic stuff I’m playing: WORDLE, Jumble, CrossMath, Word Connect.
That's what I struggle with too, Julie. I have a trip coming up where we'll fly, and I know I'll need it for things like getting through ticketing and baggage claim, so it's not realistic for just yet. But maybe I can take a step backwards and print everything out before I go...?
I hear ya! I wish I had an easy answer. For now, I'm experimenting with a schedule when I'm on screens and sticking to it. I've recognized I need more time to think (deep think) for my writing, which means less screen time. I know I can do it, I did it before. What's changed? What would I be missing? These are some questions I need to reflect on. :) I'm glad to know I'm not alone. Thanks, Terrell.
I read Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport last year and am a changed person. More than installing new ideas, it affirmed what I've been wanting to do for myself (and as a parent leading by example) for a very long time.
I removed distracting apps from my phone (games and social media), I put a blocker on my laptop to block certain mindless websites during the work day, I put a 2 hour ban on picking up my phone upon waking, and I moved the phone out of my room at night - back to a plug in alarm.
Transformative.
I sleep better, I get more needle-moving work done during the day, my kids see me looking at them when they're talking to me. I'm reading more. I have a morning routine that I LOVE.
Jeanne! First of all, hey there! 👋 It's so good to hear from you! How are you?
Second, I am definitely going to pick up that book and give what you've just described here a try. I really, really like what you're doing -- I want my focus back, my feeling of being present, which these devices suck away from us. Thank you for this!!
Terrell! I am good!! It's such a good book - that and Deep Work were two of my faves last year. Extracting myself from tech in a deliberate way feels amazing. Would love to hear how it goes for you!
I do not keep social media apps on my phone. However, I am extraordinarily guilty of pulling up FB on my phone browser and scrolling. It's an extra step, though, so I've likely saved some hours.
I considered switching to a flip phone in 2019 but realized how incredibly useful google maps is for estimated driving times and being alerted to traffic issues in relatively real time. This would be a significant loss.
I use my phone for music and its connected to my Garmin for directions while running. These things, in addition to having live tracking while I am running, negate the wins had by switching to a flip phone. So for now, I have it on me. I hate writing emails on my phone so don't check email much, only use Kindle on flights, and don't struggle with looking at it when socializing unless everyone else is attached to a screen and distracted. Overall, my use of it could be a lot worse, but it could be a lot better as well.
I am switching from a flip phone to a Wisephone 2. I love the lack of distraction from having a flip phone, BUT most of my colleagues and family love long form texting. That just takes too long for me on the little flip phone. I looked to see if they still made the keyboard versions of flip phones like they did in the early 2000s, but alas they are difficult to find. The Wisephone 2 is a "smart" dumbphone. It has limited apps, no browser, no social media, no games. Simpler interface. Plus camera and texting. Its the best balance I've found. Its a bit more expensive than I desired, but they frequently have sales.
I like the ability to share my location if I'm running alone. I also have my playlists on my phone instead of my watch. While I have no desire to get rid of my smart phone, I am getting to the point of deleting my social media apps. I would still need Facebook as I have a small running group that I manage and that is where we communicate. My Fleet Feet group also uses it to share routes and info for training. I could ditch all of the others though. There are a lot of apps that make my life easier in dealing with various businesses, so I would still prefer a smart phone. So maybe just get rid of the apps that are sucking up all of your time and keep the smart phone.
That's very true -- and the hardest part about giving up a smartphone. I've taken so many photos of my kids and family over the years; I still go back and look at those memories regularly now. To not have them would be a huge loss.
Personally, I would never ditch my smartphone (Samsung Note) for a flip phone for many reasons related to running.
One is that I bear responsibility to take group photos before many of our Club Runs (Indy Runners and Walkers) and training runs. I also shoot on the run for the benefit of members (shared albums and use in club emails). I need the photo quality.
Second is that on my solo runs, I love music and have built at least 40 running playlists that work from mp3s on my phone to my connected Shokz). (On occasion, I might utilize on Spotify, especially if I am working on my SPMs). But my device needs to accommodate that, too.
To help me make this work, I always wear Wolaco shorts or leggings that have a phone pocket. Nice and snug, and water-proof. (The pocket will not fit my phone if my phone case is on, so I leave that on the kitchen counter).
Final reasons for carrying a phone include my family being able to track my location, and the ability to make calls (maybe on behalf of my running friends who refuse to carry any phone device at all. Hehe.)
Bear in mind: I love my running apps (like Strava), so I'm still not completely sold on ditching my smartphone. It's more a question I'm wrestling with now than a conclusion I've come to. So... what do you think? What have you wrestled with?
Though I DO have a smartphone and an iPad, I am NOT on social media …. My observation of others is that it takes over folks’ lives with no obvious benefit.
I've noticed myself on my phone while sitting with my kid, instead of being present with him. That's when I decided to look into "dumb" phones.
As others have said, there are better options than flip phones out there that eliminate social media and the like, while retaining things like a good camera, directions, calendar etc. The one I've settled on is the Light Phone. They've been doing this for about ten years, and they're about to release their third model, Light Phone III. I particularly like that the tech giants won't be able to track my location, activity, etc. I preordered it, and it should be coming in a month.
For my workouts, I got a Garmin vivoactive 5 that can operate without a smartphone. (Other Garmin models can do this also.) It has its own GPS, it can connect directly to my computer so I can save all my workouts, and it sends them automatically to Strava. It also connects to my Spotify and wireless earbuds.
Switched to the Wisephone 2 last November. It's been great! I have not had social media for years...it was more an impulse to stave off the hive brain. I noticed my reduced attention span even when my phone was completely off. I am wondering if I'll need a few years of the Wisephone to gain some of what I lost in my years of iphone life. Haha, I don't know, maybe that is dramatic. Keep a list of things I need to do on the internet, and once I open my laptop I am able to do the things I was once doing from my iphone kind of willy nilly throughout the day.
My brother has a dumb phone that he takes with him when he leaves the house, but hasn't gone full dumb-phone and keeps his iPhone connected to his wifi when he gets home. He also switches back to smartphones when he visits a new city for navigation. It seems like a good system.
My son is 12 and he has a flip/dumb phone. All of this teammates have 'smart' phones and during their breaks, there is no conversation amongst the team, as they are all on their phones. It's really sad. My son is just looking around, as there is no one to engage with for a conversation. And they call this 'progress'...... go dumb! We all should.
Okay. I have thoughts. They may not be particularly good ones, but they ARE thoughts.
I have actually recently asked myself what about my iPhone is causing me to behave like magpie on crack--running after one shiny little thing to the next.
When someone suggested a boycott of FB and IG for a week. I decided I wouldn't look at SM for that entire period. OMG. (she said, pretending she was still a teenager.) Anyway, I got soooo much done. So...
I'm considering removing all SM thing-ys off my smart phone...but I'm KEEPING Kindle so I can read in line etc. (Because that has value.)
Having said all that...(more like, babbled all that) I think it's a matter of discipline--which is SO hard...but as a senior tech exec friend of mine said yesterday when we were doing a catch up call--You've got to figure out where your "net positive" actions come from. If--for example--SM (other than Substack) doesn't generate a net positive--leave it behind. My Smart phone is a net positive--It's ME, the USER, than can have a net negative effect.
So, so true, Diana. I've taken off basically everything with a reverse-chronological feed off my phone, and changed it to grayscale -- going to see how that goes :)
My wife reads books from the library on her iPad but on her iPhone when we’re traveling and her iPad was left home. We do a really good job of leaving our phones and iPads in another room when we’re eating dinner. We do look at the local paper online at breakfast.
Diana I would just add that you're in good company when it comes to the power the iPhone has over you and that it's designed to have that very effect. It's good to remind ourselves that the goal of these products is to be very, very, very sticky.
Jeanne, thanks so much for your comment-and you are so right!
Smart phone + social media can be dangerous and toxic - while I’m not dependent, I’ve come to realize that I allowed both too early into my kids’ lives when they were in their early teens. Luckily we came out of the dark times without catastrophic results. For those with tweens or younger kids I recommend reading and considering the advice from an eye opening book by Jonathan Haidt “The Anxious Generation”
I think about this constantly. I don't use any kind of social media and I'm still addicted to to the dumb (smart) thing. I'm resistant to phone upgrades, so my smart phone is pretty old, and when it inevitably stops working due to IOS upgrades or whatever, I think it's time for a dumb phone and an iPod. I miss my iPod.
Same here! I can't imagine going back to physical CDs; I LOVED my iPod. I have an iPhone 11 now and no desire to upgrade -- I can see just sticking with this forever until it no longer works. (Which may be sooner than I think, who knows?)
Started with an iPhone 3, then an 8, now have a paid-off 13 … do the math, I’m waiting for the 18 to come out. Not a gamer so it’s just basic stuff I’m playing: WORDLE, Jumble, CrossMath, Word Connect.
This is so timely! I wish just thinking the same thing! LOL
The excuse is I need it for my business....but do I really?
Thanks Terrell! I'll keep you posted and would love to hear what you decide.
That's what I struggle with too, Julie. I have a trip coming up where we'll fly, and I know I'll need it for things like getting through ticketing and baggage claim, so it's not realistic for just yet. But maybe I can take a step backwards and print everything out before I go...?
I hear ya! I wish I had an easy answer. For now, I'm experimenting with a schedule when I'm on screens and sticking to it. I've recognized I need more time to think (deep think) for my writing, which means less screen time. I know I can do it, I did it before. What's changed? What would I be missing? These are some questions I need to reflect on. :) I'm glad to know I'm not alone. Thanks, Terrell.
I read Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport last year and am a changed person. More than installing new ideas, it affirmed what I've been wanting to do for myself (and as a parent leading by example) for a very long time.
I removed distracting apps from my phone (games and social media), I put a blocker on my laptop to block certain mindless websites during the work day, I put a 2 hour ban on picking up my phone upon waking, and I moved the phone out of my room at night - back to a plug in alarm.
Transformative.
I sleep better, I get more needle-moving work done during the day, my kids see me looking at them when they're talking to me. I'm reading more. I have a morning routine that I LOVE.
Jeanne! First of all, hey there! 👋 It's so good to hear from you! How are you?
Second, I am definitely going to pick up that book and give what you've just described here a try. I really, really like what you're doing -- I want my focus back, my feeling of being present, which these devices suck away from us. Thank you for this!!
Terrell! I am good!! It's such a good book - that and Deep Work were two of my faves last year. Extracting myself from tech in a deliberate way feels amazing. Would love to hear how it goes for you!
I do not keep social media apps on my phone. However, I am extraordinarily guilty of pulling up FB on my phone browser and scrolling. It's an extra step, though, so I've likely saved some hours.
I considered switching to a flip phone in 2019 but realized how incredibly useful google maps is for estimated driving times and being alerted to traffic issues in relatively real time. This would be a significant loss.
I use my phone for music and its connected to my Garmin for directions while running. These things, in addition to having live tracking while I am running, negate the wins had by switching to a flip phone. So for now, I have it on me. I hate writing emails on my phone so don't check email much, only use Kindle on flights, and don't struggle with looking at it when socializing unless everyone else is attached to a screen and distracted. Overall, my use of it could be a lot worse, but it could be a lot better as well.
I am switching from a flip phone to a Wisephone 2. I love the lack of distraction from having a flip phone, BUT most of my colleagues and family love long form texting. That just takes too long for me on the little flip phone. I looked to see if they still made the keyboard versions of flip phones like they did in the early 2000s, but alas they are difficult to find. The Wisephone 2 is a "smart" dumbphone. It has limited apps, no browser, no social media, no games. Simpler interface. Plus camera and texting. Its the best balance I've found. Its a bit more expensive than I desired, but they frequently have sales.
I like the ability to share my location if I'm running alone. I also have my playlists on my phone instead of my watch. While I have no desire to get rid of my smart phone, I am getting to the point of deleting my social media apps. I would still need Facebook as I have a small running group that I manage and that is where we communicate. My Fleet Feet group also uses it to share routes and info for training. I could ditch all of the others though. There are a lot of apps that make my life easier in dealing with various businesses, so I would still prefer a smart phone. So maybe just get rid of the apps that are sucking up all of your time and keep the smart phone.
I’d miss having a good camera.
That's very true -- and the hardest part about giving up a smartphone. I've taken so many photos of my kids and family over the years; I still go back and look at those memories regularly now. To not have them would be a huge loss.
Meta Ray-Bans have become my go-to glasses for running & biking; doing the job of both a surprisingly good camera and headphones.
They aren’t something I want to wear all the time, but I see them and similar devices as hope for being connected without getting addicted.
My phone has those memories, too
Personally, I would never ditch my smartphone (Samsung Note) for a flip phone for many reasons related to running.
One is that I bear responsibility to take group photos before many of our Club Runs (Indy Runners and Walkers) and training runs. I also shoot on the run for the benefit of members (shared albums and use in club emails). I need the photo quality.
Second is that on my solo runs, I love music and have built at least 40 running playlists that work from mp3s on my phone to my connected Shokz). (On occasion, I might utilize on Spotify, especially if I am working on my SPMs). But my device needs to accommodate that, too.
To help me make this work, I always wear Wolaco shorts or leggings that have a phone pocket. Nice and snug, and water-proof. (The pocket will not fit my phone if my phone case is on, so I leave that on the kitchen counter).
Final reasons for carrying a phone include my family being able to track my location, and the ability to make calls (maybe on behalf of my running friends who refuse to carry any phone device at all. Hehe.)
Thanks for letting me chime in. Mark
Those are great reasons! Which is why this isn’t an easy call for me 😃
Absolutely. And people are comfortable on their side of 'the fence' on this. No wrong answers.
I too, am sticking with iPhone … I have a running playlist of songs that aren’t all athletic/upbeat/etc., they’re just songs I like!
I feel the same, I use my phone for excercise and it is smart to capture my memories, runs, music and more.
Bear in mind: I love my running apps (like Strava), so I'm still not completely sold on ditching my smartphone. It's more a question I'm wrestling with now than a conclusion I've come to. So... what do you think? What have you wrestled with?
I've wondered if Strava can still be an option. For example, can a garmin (or whatever watch) synch to it via a computer?
Maybe! Not really sure.
Though I DO have a smartphone and an iPad, I am NOT on social media …. My observation of others is that it takes over folks’ lives with no obvious benefit.
I've noticed myself on my phone while sitting with my kid, instead of being present with him. That's when I decided to look into "dumb" phones.
As others have said, there are better options than flip phones out there that eliminate social media and the like, while retaining things like a good camera, directions, calendar etc. The one I've settled on is the Light Phone. They've been doing this for about ten years, and they're about to release their third model, Light Phone III. I particularly like that the tech giants won't be able to track my location, activity, etc. I preordered it, and it should be coming in a month.
For my workouts, I got a Garmin vivoactive 5 that can operate without a smartphone. (Other Garmin models can do this also.) It has its own GPS, it can connect directly to my computer so I can save all my workouts, and it sends them automatically to Strava. It also connects to my Spotify and wireless earbuds.
Good riddance, smartphone!
Switched to the Wisephone 2 last November. It's been great! I have not had social media for years...it was more an impulse to stave off the hive brain. I noticed my reduced attention span even when my phone was completely off. I am wondering if I'll need a few years of the Wisephone to gain some of what I lost in my years of iphone life. Haha, I don't know, maybe that is dramatic. Keep a list of things I need to do on the internet, and once I open my laptop I am able to do the things I was once doing from my iphone kind of willy nilly throughout the day.
My brother has a dumb phone that he takes with him when he leaves the house, but hasn't gone full dumb-phone and keeps his iPhone connected to his wifi when he gets home. He also switches back to smartphones when he visits a new city for navigation. It seems like a good system.
This! I want to be like your brother, Kevin lol. I'm considering a dumb phone for my daily driver but the iPhone for home and travel.
My son is 12 and he has a flip/dumb phone. All of this teammates have 'smart' phones and during their breaks, there is no conversation amongst the team, as they are all on their phones. It's really sad. My son is just looking around, as there is no one to engage with for a conversation. And they call this 'progress'...... go dumb! We all should.