I kept failing at digital detoxes, this is why
Вставка
- Опубліковано 28 тра 2024
- In this video I share some reflections on why I have previously found it so difficult to engage with digital detoxes in a meaningful way and how I have managed to stick to it this time around.
00:00 intro
00:53 i failed lots
02:52 replace not reduce
04:50 why it works
05:49 what else is important to you?
07:13 do this now
09:00 self-compassion
11:49 outro
#digitaldetox #digitalminimalism #socialmediadetox
totally agree. The dopamine hit of video games and social media combined kept me in what I would consider an almost mental catatonic state day to day. I recently began running again and picked up playing the guitar like I did before smartphones were a thing and I feel so much better mentally. I have more energy now than I have in years. I'm not saying people should quit phones or video games altogether, but healthy moderation is necessary.
I am old enough that I remember life before technology! I lived most of my life without it, so you would think that I could easily transition back to a limited technology lifestyle, but I am handicapped, with chronic fatigue and chronic pain... how I began using technology in the first place.
Chronic illness has stolen the life that I once enjoyed, and so much of what I used to find enjoyable. What little energy and strength that I can muster is spent with the absolute necessities of life.
After rallying to do my chores, there is nothing left to pursue potential hobbies or interests.
I use UA-cam to "travel" and "meet new people" and "discover new ideas". I have a need for beauty since I am homebound and I am really only able to leave my house for doctors appointments.
I have a few plants to brighten my home, but they add to my work load, so I have had to limit how many I have.
I think that you are very wise to cut yourself some slack on your week or even two weeks of the month when you just get through in one piece.😊
I have enjoyed reading, crocheting, drawing, painting, working puzzles, and baking and trying out new healthy recipes for my enjoyment when my body is able to try something beyond my work. I'm trying to schedule in those things even if it means that I can't get the laundry folded and put away, but I have found that I walk a fine line if I don't stay up with the housework. A messy house is a surefire way to push one into action or escaping into the doomscrolling. 😅
Thank you for the video. I'm enjoying listening to your thoughts and learning from you ❤️.
I've been trying to be digitally minimal for over a year now and still keep failing. Every time I go cold turkey, my brain seems to suddenly get all these super useful ideas of what I could be using my computer for, including (ironically) researching more ways to be digitally minimal lol.
I feel like I've gone "all in" and check every digitally minimal cliche box: I own a dumbphone, paper maps, analog clocks, use a paper diary & journal, own paper books including encylopedia sets for looking things up, have dvds & blu rays to avoid streaming etc (my home is starting to resemble some kind of pre internet era time capsule), i try to set "screen free" goals, but I *still* keep falling down the rabbit hole of wasting tonnes of time on screens.
Screens have this hypnotic effect, I am convinced they put us into a trance like state! And years of technology induced dopamine hits have almost created this 'real world dopamine deficit' where real life feels dull by comparison.
I guess all we can do is keep trying. Remember - it's taken many years to reach this level of technology addiction so it might take quite a long time to unravel our dependence on it.
So important!
Because of you I have been trying this out for the past week. I also have been reading Digital Minimalism. It's hard but the benefits seem to be worth it.
I'm so glad I found your channel! Lately, I've been feeling anxious, depressed, and angry. Any little inconvenience and I blow my fuse. After watching one of your videos last week, I came to the realization that my social media usage and doom scrolling are likely contributing to my irritability. I've suspected for a while that social media is not doing me any good, it's taking away precious time and replacing it with emptiness and feelings of inadequacy. I decided to put my phone down, renew my library card, and replace mindless scrolling with reading. After a week, I feel much more present and relax. The temptation to scroll will always be there, just like any addiction, but at least I am aware and have the tools to help me overcome it. Thank you so much for bringing this problem to light. Social media is the cigarette of our generation.
As a millennial i agree with this. I do wonder about the younger generations who (most) don’t know a life without smart phones. I have step teenagers and I genuinely don’t know what they would replace their phone with. It would take probably an outside force rather than themselves. It is sad to see but I feel it is necessary.
Your videos make me think and I now often remember them when Im aimlessly scrolling on IG. I realize I often scroll because Im disregulated and its a distraction from dealing with it. Thanks to you I pulled out my old cds, even got some dvds and I sat down on my piano again that I havent touched since childhood. It is so so calming to be immersed into a cd or piano, even more so it brings back memories of my childhood when there was no distractions on social media and I would be fully into an activity and now Im trying to get something of that back. And thank you for reminding us how regulating for us such activities can be
🥹 so happy for you
I love your videos on this topic. I want to add it's important to figure out what gap technology is filling for you, and plan accordingly. I used to cut myselff off of tech in order to do creative work or to work out, but that didn't work because using tech was my down time that I replaced with more work and discipline. Now that I am aiming to go on walks, read, bathe or do puzzle, it's actually starting to solve my tech use more impactfully
Thank you for sharing the process of your digital detox. Your point about experimenting really resonated. Even with simply establishing some sort of daily routine has been a process, and there are days that I throw it out the window. It's a difficult first step but very worthwhile, same with the technology experiment that would be beneficial for me eventually. I appreciate your insights and your Substack 😊
I'm starting to realise just how much of a 'pull' my family's smart TV is. I was initially against getting one, and now realise how easily I've been sucked into extra time online/watching TV because of the 'smart' function (eg. ability to watch UA-cam via the TV). In some ways it's been nice, but I'm realising how I actually prefer having clearer boundaries as to what I use each type of technology for. The problem for me at least, and perhaps for others, is that smart TV's merge the internet and TV so seamlessly that its blurred the lines between both of those things. My husband and I are actually talking about buying a non-smart TV for our new house as a solution.
Loved this video!! Theres also the neurological perspective! Neurons that fire together wire together. So when we do something our neurons start to fire together to create a memory and the more this is repeated the stronger this becomes (think driving when u started u probably were actively thinking of every step and now it is automatic of what u do to drive!) our brains have wired a connection so strong to get on our phones that it is automatic at times, but with practice we can train our brain to have our automatic activity during boredom to take out a book, knit a row, doodle or whatever it is that floats your boat!!
The last point was the most profound for me. I tend to experiment (what I’m going to call it going forward - used to say ‘going through phases’ which kind of doesn’t feel compassionate for me) with different ways of being & beat myself up for changing/not doing it the whole way. Thanks for putting it out there about being compassionate ❤ (also am going to get a book & sketchbook out where I can see it & put my phone away more!)
I have big problems not with scrolling,but with background noise. I always listen to videos when I'm doing something and I don't know how to stop doing it and how be present in my mind
There’s an accessibility option in iPhones that lets you play calming background sounds. I use mine like 24/7. You can still use it even if your phone’s on airplane mode. I also started using my old cassette player again and ordered some music I like from Urban Outfitters
This was really helpful information, thank you for taking the time to make this 🥰
Fantastic video. So much sensible advice! Thank you ❤
Great video!😁
On the exhausting week that it is where you just want to watch something, do you go online or try to only watch dvds?
Either :)
Aahh I love your hair cut! Looks soo nice haha not even related to the content of the video, I know!
Oh thank you! :)
Im thinking of a minalist lifestyle i got ocd but i can fix that also im kinda materialistic idk if i should still play video games that the one thing idk I might play a few favorites and do what else i need too
Did you delete the apps or download any app blockers
I want to do the 6 month break.
Most people don’t have six hours to have to think about what they can do with it. Can I ask, what do you do for work?
Has this digital detox had any implications for your future work? A reduction in screentime has made me realise a practical job would be more fulfilling for me!
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Negatives are, Making money faster on crypto, trends, or identity crisis, to be kept on social media.