How to cure phone addiction in 2023. Practical tips on how I reduced my iPhone usage ready for a new year. How to use your phone less, and tips for Spending less time on your phone.
Stef, you are so right. I hate what technology has done to society, what started as a blessing has become a bane. I went to Ireland with some Dutch friends, in the end, I confiscated Ad's phone so that he would talk to us! Incidentally, Melbourne looks lovely. Thanks for what you do.
Well, I feel I have big problems with using my phone whenever I get home. I am a student and often super tired when I get home, and rarely have the energy to do anything but entertain my self. I want to change this, but damn is it hard. The tactics I find that works best for me is keeping my self busy and "deadlines". I try to make plans with people or around people, which gives me motivation to plan and get ready for that and also enjoy time being social rather than anti-social. Then there are "deadlines". Deadlines is in quotations because it is important that it is self motivated or the deadline is set by a close friend or family member. (Such as making sure the apartment is clean before they arrive). Things like that help a little, but not really in the whole scheme of things. When ever I have weekends with no plans, more often than not, I get absolutely nothing done (not even important study stuff). I hope to do better in 2023, but we will see how it goes. great vid btw, loved it!
I cured mine by noticing how much crap (ads, suggested posts, more ads, wrong ads, rubbish content) there is, like infinity junk mail in your letterbox. Great vid and spot on.
Before texting and smartphones, I made a rule, "Don't answer phone calls if I was you are in a conversation with someone else." Seeing people stop talking and looking at my phone as it rang was funny. I got a lot of "Aren't you going to answer that?" I would just reply, "No. I got the phone to get ahold of people, not so people could get ahold of me." I am glad I did that back then. Because it gave me the discipline to ignore my phone altogether if needed.
For this reason I try and get my family away camping in a 0 cell service area every 1-3 months. Its so refreshing. We've also starting a mini trivia idea with friends, to collect 10-20 questions with answers, saved to your notes (or better printed) then around the campfire we all work together to answer each question. Its a great way to get the brain working.
Brilliant mate. I'm definitely going to take your suggestions on board and delete some apps and restrict notifications. I may even get an alarm clock so I don't have to have my phone next to me at night to wake me up. Another awesome video. Thanks.
Great video, Stef. I'm lucky, in that I've never been addicted to my phone, despite growing up programming C64s, Amigas and PCs. Fortunately - or not, depending on how you look at it - I don't have a broad social network that constantly prods me for a response every time something enters someone's head. Like you, I still use cash or card to pay. When I'm sitting around, I just look at the surroundings and watch people on their phones. My phone is more of a tool than a substitute for filling the boredom gap.
How many of us have a Google enabled speaker that answered Stef's question (4:00) about the weather? 🤣 Some really excellent advice though. It really is impossible to be truly present when you are being constantly distracted by technology instead of being aided by it.
The biggest thing that has helped me has been removing social media apps from my phone. That way I don't have that muscle memory habit of opening them and endlessly scrolling. By only using social media websites on a laptop, I have that brief pause between reaching for my laptop or phone and logging in, where I can catch myself. A new strategy I am trying is to aim to only take 5 photos a day. That way I'm not pulling my phone out of my pocket every moment anything is remotely interesting. This already has helped me take in breathtaking views, rather than spending that time trying to capture the perfect picture.
good one. Don't know the ins and outs of the apple phone, but on my android you can disable notifications per app. Good suggestion to silence calls from unknown callers - must look at how to do that. Don't have any "social media" on the phone, except for Insta mainly because my friends want me to post occasional pics when I am travelling. PS - I also do crosswords every day including the cryptic, except for DA's (Age on Fridays) which my poor brain simply wonders about, and yes it was freezing again today in Melb.
Focus is amazing. I have personal set to activate when I launch my CloudAhoy or any apps I use while flying. The unknown caller thing this the best. I have an apple watch. I tend to leave my phone at home and use the watch to pay with.
Getting into chess has helped me be more in the moment. Instead of scrolling, I can play say a 5 min chess game. This also helps me manage how much time i spend on the phone, as i don't get lost in a infinite scroll. Plus chess just feels good for the soul lol
Wireless headphones (I use AirPod) next to my bed, phone in another room when I sleep. This has been a game changer for me. If I remember something I need to do, I pop one in, tell Siri to set a reminder, and I’m done. Also I listen to an audiobook to sleep, and I play it with Siri…
Yeah… I prefer the phone. But for reading books, listening to music, watch UA-cam, and I don’t give a fug what others might think. However I’m less than 1 hour a day on my phone unless I’m traveling to work. I’m not on social media except for a weee bit of fb and UA-cam.
Rightly so, it's your choice! As I said the phone is good for many things. But the addictive cycle of turning to it when we're bored is something I wanted to break. I still use my phone for many things, but not to 'entertain' myself as much nowadays.
@@stef747 lol good on you! I’d probably agree more if I had a family to talk to and want to set a good example. Because I do think it’s weird to walk into a silent room where everyone is looking at their phone and not speaking to anyone.
You mean I don't need to live my life according to what the Kardashians or Kanye say? OMG!!!! Maybe I should just concentrate on family and friends, and limit my screen time to important learning providers like Stef, Miko, P1D and BaronPilot??? 😜
Stef, you are so right. I hate what technology has done to society, what started as a blessing has become a bane. I went to Ireland with some Dutch friends, in the end, I confiscated Ad's phone so that he would talk to us! Incidentally, Melbourne looks lovely. Thanks for what you do.
Thanks Chris, I love showing off my home city so I appreciate that feedback.
Well, I feel I have big problems with using my phone whenever I get home. I am a student and often super tired when I get home, and rarely have the energy to do anything but entertain my self. I want to change this, but damn is it hard. The tactics I find that works best for me is keeping my self busy and "deadlines". I try to make plans with people or around people, which gives me motivation to plan and get ready for that and also enjoy time being social rather than anti-social. Then there are "deadlines". Deadlines is in quotations because it is important that it is self motivated or the deadline is set by a close friend or family member. (Such as making sure the apartment is clean before they arrive). Things like that help a little, but not really in the whole scheme of things. When ever I have weekends with no plans, more often than not, I get absolutely nothing done (not even important study stuff). I hope to do better in 2023, but we will see how it goes.
great vid btw, loved it!
Thanks Stef, sometimes u need to hear it, plus have a local guy talk to me like a human being. Plus love ur blogs.
I cured mine by noticing how much crap (ads, suggested posts, more ads, wrong ads, rubbish content) there is, like infinity junk mail in your letterbox. Great vid and spot on.
Thank you, glad it helped.
Before texting and smartphones, I made a rule, "Don't answer phone calls if I was you are in a conversation with someone else." Seeing people stop talking and looking at my phone as it rang was funny. I got a lot of "Aren't you going to answer that?" I would just reply, "No. I got the phone to get ahold of people, not so people could get ahold of me." I am glad I did that back then. Because it gave me the discipline to ignore my phone altogether if needed.
Why I went out and bought a kindle - reading with no distractions and even though it's a screen, it's an e-ink so much better on the eyes too!
For this reason I try and get my family away camping in a 0 cell service area every 1-3 months. Its so refreshing.
We've also starting a mini trivia idea with friends, to collect 10-20 questions with answers, saved to your notes (or better printed) then around the campfire we all work together to answer each question. Its a great way to get the brain working.
Great ideas.
Brilliant mate. I'm definitely going to take your suggestions on board and delete some apps and restrict notifications. I may even get an alarm clock so I don't have to have my phone next to me at night to wake me up. Another awesome video. Thanks.
Great vid Stef, thanks again. Maybe try a bike ride down to Mordialloc? Bike path got extended a few years back.
Fantastic video Stef! Thanks very much.
Thanks for watching Jack
Great video, Stef. I'm lucky, in that I've never been addicted to my phone, despite growing up programming C64s, Amigas and PCs. Fortunately - or not, depending on how you look at it - I don't have a broad social network that constantly prods me for a response every time something enters someone's head. Like you, I still use cash or card to pay. When I'm sitting around, I just look at the surroundings and watch people on their phones. My phone is more of a tool than a substitute for filling the boredom gap.
Well done!! You’ve highlighted a condition to which I’m addicted!! Maybe I’ll carry a book, remember them ?
How many of us have a Google enabled speaker that answered Stef's question (4:00) about the weather? 🤣
Some really excellent advice though. It really is impossible to be truly present when you are being constantly distracted by technology instead of being aided by it.
The biggest thing that has helped me has been removing social media apps from my phone. That way I don't have that muscle memory habit of opening them and endlessly scrolling. By only using social media websites on a laptop, I have that brief pause between reaching for my laptop or phone and logging in, where I can catch myself.
A new strategy I am trying is to aim to only take 5 photos a day. That way I'm not pulling my phone out of my pocket every moment anything is remotely interesting. This already has helped me take in breathtaking views, rather than spending that time trying to capture the perfect picture.
good one.
Don't know the ins and outs of the apple phone, but on my android you can disable notifications per app. Good suggestion to silence calls from unknown callers - must look at how to do that.
Don't have any "social media" on the phone, except for Insta mainly because my friends want me to post occasional pics when I am travelling.
PS - I also do crosswords every day including the cryptic, except for DA's (Age on Fridays) which my poor brain simply wonders about, and yes it was freezing again today in Melb.
Focus is amazing. I have personal set to activate when I launch my CloudAhoy or any apps I use while flying. The unknown caller thing this the best. I have an apple watch. I tend to leave my phone at home and use the watch to pay with.
Well done Stef. Ironically you had to tote your iphone around to use as a camera :-)
Lucky you were on your bike going through Westgate Park Steff. It has a reputation you know!
Does it? Forgive my naivety but a reputation for what?
@@stef747 Men love to meet up there!
did anyone else's google assistant go off when stef asked his haha
Ah sorry about that! At least you know what the temperature will be now.
Haha, mine did!
Getting into chess has helped me be more in the moment. Instead of scrolling, I can play say a 5 min chess game. This also helps me manage how much time i spend on the phone, as i don't get lost in a infinite scroll. Plus chess just feels good for the soul lol
Wireless headphones (I use AirPod) next to my bed, phone in another room when I sleep. This has been a game changer for me. If I remember something I need to do, I pop one in, tell Siri to set a reminder, and I’m done. Also I listen to an audiobook to sleep, and I play it with Siri…
That's a great suggestion Joshua. I don't have AirPods but for anyone reading that does that's really smart.
I find just putting my phone upside down and turning off vibrations goes a long way
The irony of me watching this on my iPhone before I go to sleep.
😂
Yeah… I prefer the phone. But for reading books, listening to music, watch UA-cam, and I don’t give a fug what others might think. However I’m less than 1 hour a day on my phone unless I’m traveling to work. I’m not on social media except for a weee bit of fb and UA-cam.
Rightly so, it's your choice! As I said the phone is good for many things. But the addictive cycle of turning to it when we're bored is something I wanted to break. I still use my phone for many things, but not to 'entertain' myself as much nowadays.
@@stef747 lol good on you! I’d probably agree more if I had a family to talk to and want to set a good example. Because I do think it’s weird to walk into a silent room where everyone is looking at their phone and not speaking to anyone.
Losing the art of conversation? Hahah! I never had that ability! Check mate!
If you must take your phone into the bedroom put it in flight mode that shuts it up, or turn it off that button needs to tested every so often 😂
Or... silent mode.
or set bedtime and wake up time silences the phone and no notifications of any kind come through
Or go nuclear and get a flip phone 😂
You mean I don't need to live my life according to what the Kardashians or Kanye say? OMG!!!!
Maybe I should just concentrate on family and friends, and limit my screen time to important learning providers like Stef, Miko, P1D and BaronPilot??? 😜
i'm more addicted to my SR22 than my phones :)
This is an addiction that I can relate to!
Go on the iPad 😂
Only if you're doing an online crossword! 😂