Please join me in beating my screen addiction - there’s more to life!

[Slimmingstar]

Since I got an iPad in 2016 I’ve spent more and more time on my devices and I’m at the point now I’m completely addicted.

Mumsnet is a big swallower of my time. I’m ashamed to say I’ve spent probably 12 hours on the phone, iPad or TV today - this is fairly typical now and I need to change.

I used to read all the time and I miss it, but books don’t hold my attention now. I used to bake and cook and now I don’t. I used to do puzzles, read the paper, play with my pet mice......... now I spend much of the time when I’m in indoors and not working, on screens.

I only work part time and odd hours and I’m on a screen whenever I’m not walking the dog or at an exercise class. It has to stop.

I’m neglecting the house - it’s a mess and there’s no excuse. I’m neglecting my partner and most of all I’m neglecting myself.

I’ve put on weight. I have a very healthy diet, but I spend so much time sitting and staring at a screen, I’m just not burning the calories I used to with general moving about.

I’ve lost my sex drive - I’m sure, in part, due to the fact I’m just doing nothing all day..........

I turn to my phone the minute I wake up and I fall asleep holding it. I never used to be like this and I’ve never had an addiction before (other than to exercise).

I don’t want to get to the end of my life and regret wasting it on screens.

I’m going to post on this thread once a day to keep me accountable and I’d love for others to join me if you are addicted too, or just want to cut down.

I totally hear you op and want to cut right down as well. Will follow the thread with interest.

Yes I'd like to cut down too. Definitely.

Same here, my screen time has sort of crept up and now it’s all I do if I get any downtime, it needs to change!

I am going to put my iPhone on grey-screen, use an alarm clock instead of my phone, charge my devices outside of the bedroom and give myself 3, 30 minute time slots to use for solo TV or iPhone/pad watching a day.

I feel very positive this is something I’ll stick to. I’ve tried before, but very half heartedly and slipped back after about 48 hours.

Any tips anyone can share would be appreciated.

A few years ago I lived alone with no devices and not even a TV and I was a lot happier for it, so I know life is better away from screens.

Joining in too, I really need to cut down! I've started using a timer for my most used apps which is helpful.

I'm so glad you've started this thread as I have the same concerns about myself. However, my DGC have asked for some amigurumi toys so tonight I have sat and crocheted all evening with hardly a glance at my phone until now. It's obvious I need to find other things to do. I'm going to start leaving my phone outside the bedroom at night.

Same here. I cut back and then it just creeps back in. Really not good.

Umm, is creating a thread on a screen about not spending so much time looking at threads on a screen the most effective way of cutting down on looking at threads on a screen?

Get the Freedom app. Install on computer, tablet and phone. Set times you are not allowed on certain sites.

End of problem!

I'm following this with interest. I will admit I'm also super addicted. So much so it's been detrimental to my job. I'm on it constantly. Flicking between apps and checking for updates, browsing online shopping, social media. I don't know how to stop other than throw my phone off a bridge but I need it for many obvious reasons.

One thing I've heard of is a timed locked container - you can get them on amazon called a Phone Jail or something like that. You set the time, out your phone in it, close the lid and your phone is locked in there for however long you set the time. It's about £35 though which is stopping me from purchasing it

There is a book called How to break up with your phone. Recommend.

We could share time spent and try and whittle it down.

Updates will have to be brief though .

Yesterday
6hr56m
Internet-4hr30- Think I'm gonna block some sites and be mindful

s

Others were email but I was unsubscribing to things and my Notes app which is my to do list

Need to replace internet with exercise.

www.freedom.to

Forest App is good when desperate 😂 You grow a forest but the trees die if you click away

@OppsUpsSide I was waiting for this comment......... I think having somewhere to check in each day, have support and encouragement will be helpful as I need accountability.............. as do others, I’m sure.........

@ThursdayWeld yes, but I just over-ride them!

I think I need to approach this with a bit of a different approach than I’ll just not use it........... like when obese people say ‘I’ll just not eat cake’......... then they eat loads!
I need to approach it with a plan and to feel like I need to update on my progress........ even if no one else reads the updates! 😂

I could have written this myself. I am trying very very hard.

This is my progress over 5 weeks. Daily averages.

6hr 8min
5hr 48min
4hr 57min
3hr 11min
4hr 22min

I use my phone for work but have just got a work phone so hoping to improve. I'd love to consistently hit 2hrs a day. That's my goal.

@AgathaMystery that’s a good steady decrease........

It's just so hard isn't it

@MistySkiesAfterRain

Forest App is good when desperate 😂 You grow a forest but the trees die if you click away

I have that app, and I do think it works but you have to have the "destruct" mode turned on.

I do not 😂 So my forest still grows no matter what

I’d like to join in. I just checked mine and it’s averaging 5.5 hours per day which is pretty awful. I’m going to try and cut back and take up some real life hobbies instead.

I've just checked my stats and my use is mostly between 4.5 to 6.5hours a day, at least 3 hours of that is on the internet. That would really only be mumsnet, facebook and news websites. I'm going to set a target of getting it to below 4 hours a day and under 3 hours on the internet to begin with. Small steps!
I can also see how often I am unlocking my phone! It's quite often over 75 times a day. I'm going to try to get that below 60.
Will start from there and try to bring it down from next week.
I have an exam in 2 weeks so would be great if I could put this time into learning and revising instead! After that I'll get reading properly again.

How do you check your stats? I definitely need to do something about this as well

I'm jumping on this wagon too!

Following. Would love to get my use down too, currently on about 4-5 hours a day, a lot of that is in the evening when I’m getting the baby to sleep or in the morning when she wakes up.