Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Phone addiction

5 replies

What2do2 · 12/10/2020 09:46

The irony of posting this on my phone but would love to hear if others have kicked the habit.
I’m not sure if addiction is the right word and I don’t know how but the use of my phone has massively crept up. I really want to reduce it. The thing is I work freelance so I really need it for my job. I dread to think of the hours I waste on it though and I hate the thought of my children seeing me on it all the time.
I think it’s also really, really come out of loneliness , I work alone and I am with my children loads on my own (even pre covid as my family don’t live close and don’t spend much time with me and the kids) . So I guess it creeped up as although I adore my children I find that I can get a bit bored in playgrounds, softplays etc so then I end up scrolling. It’s become such a reflex though . I think it’s because it’s the answer to a lot of things, I need something to cook (ideas on phone), info from school (on phone) , all my work emails (on phone), check weather etc etc etc ...
I see it also as a way of relaxing but it isn’t iykwim. I think as a character I’m quite introverted and love reading so this has now transferred into reading loads of things online and having my own time if that makes sense. It’s definitely killing off my creativity (I used to do a lot more crafts and painting etc). Any advice on how you reduced it. I need it for my job as I get all my work etc and need to answer emails throughout the day . Another issue is there is a massive shortage of childcare at the mo where I am so my children are finished quite early and I have to pick up my youngest at 11.30 so need to use it for work. Would love to have set work time in my office but can’t now due to lack of childcare.

OP posts:
EriAndo · 12/10/2020 09:56

Keep your phone with you during work time and afterwards (around dinner time), lock your phone away in one of these, put the kids to bed and find another way to relax - read a book, have a bath, watch tv.
I had to do this for my own mental health as became obsessed with media about covid and reading social media. Also started playing games like the chase and kept wanting to beat my previous score. It was obsessive behaviour.
I now get home from work, put phone on charge in bedroom and spend the evening downstairs without it. I go to bed, check I’ve not had any messages and if not, set alarm and go to sleep.

www.theworks.co.uk/p/novelty-gifts/table-top-gadget-prison/5052089275102.html?CAWELAID=720011340002759838&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIx9TA4tau7AIVVOvtCh1q9A5bEAQYASABEgKOCfD_BwE

What2do2 · 12/10/2020 10:00

Thanks, you’re right it does become almost obsessive or a reflex. I am going to buy an alarm clock as have to get up v v early (again due to trying to work around no childcare) so then the phone is always there beside the bed.
I will have to force it . I do leave it out of the way but I’ve almost forgotten how to “be” so if I’m watching my children climbing or cycling in which I need to be supervising I think to go on my phone as maybe I feel a bit bored or lonely . Like Mumsnet for me is like listening to conversations or having them. I know that sounds so sad!

OP posts:
hapagirl · 12/10/2020 10:06

I’m bad with this too. Now I try and leave my phone in another room during the day. When I watch TV, I keep my hands busy with knitting or embroidery. At night I leave it down stairs. It’s seriously cut down on my time online. I only take a book to bed. I have a radio alarm clock now (so 90s!) that wakes me up. Good luck!

EriAndo · 12/10/2020 10:33

I’m not going to pretend it was easy or it was an overnight thing. I started by not having phone around at dinner time but DP kept complaining I was glancing at my phone whilst we were watching tv together. He told me it really bugged him as I’d miss things in the programme and ask him questions! So...I started to leave it in another room and I was a bit fidgety at first and after one programme had finished, I went to check my phone but gradually got out of that habit.

Can you put alarm on your phone but plug it in away from your bed?

What2do2 · 12/10/2020 11:05

I have to have it beside me as have kids in rooms quite close and need to switch off the alarm really quickly as otherwise they wake. I’m definitely going to get an old alarm clock

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread