My kid lost my smart phone for a month. First, I thought I couldn’t live without it, but I quickly adapted… I really should consider going back to a flip phone, but the smart phone just replaces so many gadgets for me! Looking forward to hearing more about your phone journey ❤️
did your kid lose it on purpose? XD I can imagine one of my children doing it on purpose to get my full attention! It's true that it replaces so many gadgets (like for me the camera) and it is so useful for me to organize my life too, especially the calendar! I will definitely write about it once I found a way to master the balance.
lol she was 2 at the time. She put it in a pencil case. We kept giving her my husbands phone to see where she would put it. It was actually very freeing to live without it - no electronic leash!
That is so funny! My son chucked all his little wooden figures once into the toy garbage truck, we thought they were lost for a long time! Ah toddlers are so cute, that's my daughter age now. So far luckily we've only "lost" minor things.
That's hilarious! Kids are so adorable... and innocent and joyful (sometimes lol) I was just about to sign up for a class last night that was about living a life of focus. It was $500. I was reading reviews on the class and someone said "give me $500 and I"ll take away your phone for you." I thought that was hilarious ... I decided against the class and maybe I need to start locking up my phone in my fireproof safe when I'm not using it. I think we need to create friction to get to the drug...
That someone is smarts. It's possible we should first get rid of the obvious devil, and if one still wants to elevate their focus can think about the next level. I've also heard of these time boxes that lock the phone for certain set time. I still haven't invest in it. I read you can first just try it make it difficult to access, like keep it in a locked drawer in the back room or something....
I just told my 12 yr old my phone goal and she said she’d take my phone from me 😅 I was too scared for her to do it (like I keep her electronics from her) but it’s a good option to have !
I loved your mentions of life in Germany. I lived there for a year and loved the forests. It is great that your kids are getting used to long walks. That will help keep them away from the phone.
I personally think we need to get used to keeping the phone with us, but not over-using it. As you say, the camera in the phone is great (though I also think we often take a photo when we should just be looking), and there is your address book, compass, calculator etc. etc.
We need to learn to use the phone as a useful tool, and only occassionally use it for recreation; perhaps only use it at times when it would be acceptable to read a book.
Glad you love the mention of my life in Germany. I should definitely share more bout it, it is indeed very lovely to live near Black Forest!
Yeah, I think I would need to deal with the devil aka the phone head on, and just don't let it boss me even if it's with me.
I agree with look and enjoy instead of taking pictures (I think it came from my observation of how Asians, I may be generalizing but I've seen them, taking pictures 80% of the time and missing out of real life experience), so I told myself I should enjoy the moment instead of trying to capture it. Yet whenever I look back through old pictures or try to look for a specific something, I regret not taking more pictures of a trip or an event, and I find myself thanking that Asian friend who took that one group picture! Haha
And when it's acceptable and possible to read a book, I'll rather read a book though :)
Awww it's totally not cheating to share another's list (even though it happens to be mine ha!) And I love that you're so close to the Black Forest! It's on my bucket list of places to visit.
My brain has a tripwire where if it's hit, just keeps me out of social media. I just came off one, but very slowly. I actually find myself "resisting" posting on Notes and commenting on people's Substacks lol. Some say this is a blessing, and it can be, but it can be frustrating when, at the back of your mind, you're wondering if people still remember you when you come online again.
So, about your first question - Do you keep a digital balance? If yes, how?
I don't lol. It's either FULL ON or FULLY OFF.
Solo creative dates?
All the time! It's the creative dates with friends that keeps it challenging lol.
Ah ok, that's interesting about the tripwire. I on the other hand try to motivate myself to post more notes but I still don't haha maybe also a blessing? I think there is no need to worry, most important is focus on the writing?
Haha so extreme with the digital non balance, but sometimes balance is overrated too. So you do what works I guess.
So nice to have creative dates all the time, I don't have that and still struggle to find time with friends!
Thanks so much for the mention! After writing the post, I saw someone on Substack, I can’t remember who now (I wish I did), suggest just turning off your phone if you want to spend less time on it. I thought that was brilliant.
My kid lost my smart phone for a month. First, I thought I couldn’t live without it, but I quickly adapted… I really should consider going back to a flip phone, but the smart phone just replaces so many gadgets for me! Looking forward to hearing more about your phone journey ❤️
did your kid lose it on purpose? XD I can imagine one of my children doing it on purpose to get my full attention! It's true that it replaces so many gadgets (like for me the camera) and it is so useful for me to organize my life too, especially the calendar! I will definitely write about it once I found a way to master the balance.
lol she was 2 at the time. She put it in a pencil case. We kept giving her my husbands phone to see where she would put it. It was actually very freeing to live without it - no electronic leash!
That is so funny! My son chucked all his little wooden figures once into the toy garbage truck, we thought they were lost for a long time! Ah toddlers are so cute, that's my daughter age now. So far luckily we've only "lost" minor things.
I wonder how I'll be losing my phone for a month!
That's hilarious! Kids are so adorable... and innocent and joyful (sometimes lol) I was just about to sign up for a class last night that was about living a life of focus. It was $500. I was reading reviews on the class and someone said "give me $500 and I"ll take away your phone for you." I thought that was hilarious ... I decided against the class and maybe I need to start locking up my phone in my fireproof safe when I'm not using it. I think we need to create friction to get to the drug...
That someone is smarts. It's possible we should first get rid of the obvious devil, and if one still wants to elevate their focus can think about the next level. I've also heard of these time boxes that lock the phone for certain set time. I still haven't invest in it. I read you can first just try it make it difficult to access, like keep it in a locked drawer in the back room or something....
I just told my 12 yr old my phone goal and she said she’d take my phone from me 😅 I was too scared for her to do it (like I keep her electronics from her) but it’s a good option to have !
I loved your mentions of life in Germany. I lived there for a year and loved the forests. It is great that your kids are getting used to long walks. That will help keep them away from the phone.
I personally think we need to get used to keeping the phone with us, but not over-using it. As you say, the camera in the phone is great (though I also think we often take a photo when we should just be looking), and there is your address book, compass, calculator etc. etc.
We need to learn to use the phone as a useful tool, and only occassionally use it for recreation; perhaps only use it at times when it would be acceptable to read a book.
Glad you love the mention of my life in Germany. I should definitely share more bout it, it is indeed very lovely to live near Black Forest!
Yeah, I think I would need to deal with the devil aka the phone head on, and just don't let it boss me even if it's with me.
I agree with look and enjoy instead of taking pictures (I think it came from my observation of how Asians, I may be generalizing but I've seen them, taking pictures 80% of the time and missing out of real life experience), so I told myself I should enjoy the moment instead of trying to capture it. Yet whenever I look back through old pictures or try to look for a specific something, I regret not taking more pictures of a trip or an event, and I find myself thanking that Asian friend who took that one group picture! Haha
And when it's acceptable and possible to read a book, I'll rather read a book though :)
Life is all about balancing isn't it?
I agree, it is all about balance.
Awww it's totally not cheating to share another's list (even though it happens to be mine ha!) And I love that you're so close to the Black Forest! It's on my bucket list of places to visit.
If you ever come visit give me a call! :)
My brain has a tripwire where if it's hit, just keeps me out of social media. I just came off one, but very slowly. I actually find myself "resisting" posting on Notes and commenting on people's Substacks lol. Some say this is a blessing, and it can be, but it can be frustrating when, at the back of your mind, you're wondering if people still remember you when you come online again.
So, about your first question - Do you keep a digital balance? If yes, how?
I don't lol. It's either FULL ON or FULLY OFF.
Solo creative dates?
All the time! It's the creative dates with friends that keeps it challenging lol.
Ah ok, that's interesting about the tripwire. I on the other hand try to motivate myself to post more notes but I still don't haha maybe also a blessing? I think there is no need to worry, most important is focus on the writing?
Haha so extreme with the digital non balance, but sometimes balance is overrated too. So you do what works I guess.
So nice to have creative dates all the time, I don't have that and still struggle to find time with friends!
Thanks so much for the mention! After writing the post, I saw someone on Substack, I can’t remember who now (I wish I did), suggest just turning off your phone if you want to spend less time on it. I thought that was brilliant.
Or simply turn on the airplane mode? But of course not as powerful as turned off but quicker to activate :)