Why can’t I put my phone down and pick up a book instead?

[MislaidMyBrain]

I really want to but just can’t seem to spend my down time away from my phone.
Anyone conquered this? Stupid question probably as you’re probably off reading or doing something more interesting and won’t see this question if you have

I had the same issue. I got rid of my facebook account on my phone so I only check it when I'm on my laptop for work (which I need FB for). I don't scroll now. Just check my notifications mostly.
I put my kindle app on the home screen in the spot where my fb was. I read 5 books in 10 days.
Best thing i ever did.
Now...just to curtail my MN habit 😁

I’m totally the same. I read a lot, but of late I’m constantly getting distracted by my phone.

Same with films - I’ll think oooh I wonder who that actor is, get on google then follow one pointless link after another, falling down a rabbit hole of mindless scrolling, only to find I’ve missed half the film. I’ve taken to pausing the movie at the start of my internet detour now but I think it would be more sensible to just leave phone in another room 😬

I would really recommend 'The Guest List' if you want to get back into reading.

I'm the same, and I hate myself for it.

I put my phone in a drawer and don't have it in my bedroom at all.

Thank you @Ashdownstar. I’ll have look.
I used to do scroll on my phone during films as well until once I missed something and ds said ‘well you’re always on your phone’ I felt so bad and ashamed that I’ve stopped that habit.
I just need to stop picking it up constantly.

Im the same. Think its a dopamine hit as well as fomo (fear of missing out). Im always on facebook or mumsnet or twitter or looking up stuff to do or writing notes and then googling everything in my notes then playing an app game. I honestly can spend morning to night glued to it and i hate it. Need to just put it down and excercise some self control.

Thanks @becca3210 I’ll check that book out. I do actually have a book that I started and haven’t picked up again. It looks like a good book as well. I think this is why I got annoyed with myself.
Like, why on earth can I not pick up a book that I started and want to read, why am I looking at crap on my phone instead?

I read a lot - average about 70 books a year - but would read more if I didn't get distracted on the internet.

As a PP said, come and have a look at What We're Reading . Among other threads there's a group for those aiming to read 50 books a year, another for 26, but it's not compulsory to reach these targets. We post reviews of what we've read and it's a good place to find suggestions for what to read next.

I think it's very like exercise really; you need to build up reading stamina bit by bit. And often getting started is the hardest part. Just decide to read for ten minutes a day at first, and you'll probably end up wanting to do more.

If I spend half an hour playing a game on my phone it feels like a waste of time but reading a book just feels better.

I highly recommend How To Break Up With Your Phone, which talks about why phones are so addictive and gives practical exercises to help you cut down on phone use.

I'm the same, it's terrible. I love to read and I love colouring in but I can't seem to put my phone down.
I just constantly flick between Facebook and Mumsnet even when I'm bored of them and am not even interested I still can't seem to stop myself.

I even listen to audio books on my phone and colour in on an app instead of doing the actual real life thing

Greyscale is actually helpful, have got it on full time now. Have managed to stay off more. Had yoga and reading breaks from work instead of Mumsnet breaks and actually spoke to my children over breakfast

I’m the same. I’m reading utter shite about people I don’t even know. The thing is I even struggle to watch tv now and have to keep pausing it to flick around my phone for a bit. I know I’m massively addicted .

I'm terrible for this. I love a good book but tbh I am sociable and I love the chit chat on MN. Frustrated agony aunt I am.

Have you tried reading books that have been made into films/TV series?

For me the rot set in 10 years ago while heavily pregnant with DS1. My attention span died and I couldn't read anything more than bitesize columns in a magazine and my brain power faded while looking at a double page spread. I was in constant pain from SPD, had numb tingling hands from Carpal Tunnel and woke up hourly to reaactivate the side that went dead under my own body weight.

Meanwhile the internet on phones was just getting going and was perfect for night feeds.

It's like a bath vs a shower. I love a good wallow in the bath, but I need a good chunk of time to indulge it. A shower is frequent and functional.

The constant company of lockdown has been awful for my attention span too. I've just been sitting silently in the evenings. Last week, I finally began to put the TV on... that by no deliberate coincidence was the day the DCs went back to school and I hadn't been Minecraft/ Pokémon/ Weapons of WW2ed to death all day

Make time every day to read. While wfh I read before and after work, and at bedtime as usual. I still spend way too much time online, tho, but I do get books read, I am so glad of reading throughout all this bullshit ;)

Read 'Indistractible' by Nir Eyal for some tips as well

This is me too. My attention span has totally changed.

Me too I used to read myself to sleep, now I drop off watching YouTube.

Every night I promise myself I'll pick up that book but it doesn't happen. AAARGGH!

I recently discovered that my phone - a samsung - has wellbeing settings which limit your time on apps, set to grayscalecat a certain time etc. Which has helped some.

Are you me?

No, op is me 🥺

.

I miss my books but clearly not enough

I've been suffering with this lack of attention span for a few years, was a shock for a lifelong bookworm!
I do what a pp said and start books on kindle on the phone now, if I get hooked in I transfer to the actual kindle as it's lighter and not backlight so better to read on.
Another trick I started was instead of googling something the minute I think of it adding it to a list on my phone, so when I pick it up I use the list to choose what to look up. Half of it I don't bother once I've had a break from the idea.
Next I have to block Mumsnet

I keep having the urge to put the goddamn phone down the toilet tbh. But jesus what would I do with myself :/

I have found this - what has helped has been downloading free audiobooks from our library. It means I can potter doing little jobs whilst I listen. It helps my attention span and mean I don't feel as "lazy" sat down reading (even though I wouldn't feel that way if I was on my phone!)

Another one here..I've been trying to ease myself back in to reading by reading some of my childhood favourites as I know I'll get through them quickly...still haven't managed to finish one, it's embarrassing.

My screen time report flashes up every Sunday morning and I get a massive sense of shame, it never changes anything though.