Support thread for cutting back on mindless scrolling / social media etc

[Frostine]

So realise we can't talk about other threads but reading about a few comments about people wanting to free themselves from the addiction / habit of automatically reaching for your phones / screens all the time I thought I'd start a thread for support & thoughts and ideas of cutting back .

Yes understand we are doing the opposite of the title by just being here , but no other way of supporting each other than on here.

So I spend way to long on phone during the day breakfast stuff still not washed , and could load the washing machine up but yet to do .
I'm not saying let's all do housework instead . But if you want to regain a life other than in front of a screen , then maybe we can start here ( like I said the irony is not lost on me but heyho ! )

I've decided no screens for me after 6pm , I want to get back to reading an actual book in bed before I sleep .

And when watching t.v. in the evening , fully immerse myself in the programme rather than do both.

Last night was my first night , by 6.20 I was itching to pick up my phone plus I saw a few things on t.v. that would usually set me off on checking up on things , but I wrote them down a looked this morning.

I also take my phone to the bathroom during the night if I have to get up to check out the latest news ( no idea why and of course if something big has happened it then keeps me awake . I resisted that as well .

So who's in for support and see how we manage , and if it makes us feel better & more energised ?

Sometimes I look up and realise that I’ve ‘lost’ over an hour on Insta.

What have learned from Insta…?

Utter drivel and how to assemble yet another pink pickled onion jar or watched a cat swing round a ceiling fan.

Im in…

For people wanting a screen free option for podcasts overnight have a look at the Yoto- it’s aimed at kids but would work fine for adults and doesn’t look too “childish”
Would love any advice on things I can easily pick up / put down instead of my phone. I knit and crochet but stuff basic enough to just stop anywhere is boring for me. Puzzle books good! No room anywhere for jigsaws unfortunately!

I'm in. I really need to do get my life back off my phone.

Hi everyone! This was one of my goals this year too. Its really lovely to see what everyone is doing and long may we keep it up.

I've put a 45 minute limit on my social media so I don't scroll through it and it's been going so well i might reduce it to 30 and then to 15 hopefully! Yesterday I had a quick five minute chat on snapchat with a friend and that was it. I've noticed over the last week, I don't wake up and scroll through instagram and Facebook anymore and I am so much mindful. I used to click on adverts regularly and get sucked in sometimes but if I'm not scrolling, I can't see!

I've subscribed to Nibble who have little ten minute courses on subjects to do something productive and learn. I love history and literature so it's right up my street. I'm focusing on reading more quality books this year and made a list of interesting tv shows/podcasts to keep me busy whilst I'm cleaning/doing house chores, rather than sat there mindlessly scrolling. Currently listening to Mythos by Stephen Fry which is amazing! Highly recommend.

I am usually quite focused in January, so I hope it lasts for me and long may it last for us all.

Is your cortisol level high? Until I sorted mine out I could scroll for hours even though I didn't even really want to I found it comforting and impossible to not do.

I'm in. Six months ago my phone stayed where ever I last put it down. Then life happened and my 9yo granddaughter came to live with me. It became a way to escape the stress and changes of the situation. A difficult changes for her was a 90% decline of screen time. Every Friday is movie night. This past week my oother daughterand I were obviously on our phones too much during the movie.. My granddaughter paused the movie, told us this was family time and took our phones and placed them face down on the table. She was right! When the movie was over she politely handed them back. We had a good laugh, and it certainly was a wake up call!

I’m going to have a look at the Yoto, thank you.

I'm a huge addict too. 5-10 hours a day of screen time! I take it everywhere with me, even to the loo to pee. I check it as soon as I wake up & last thing at night.

I average 30 pick ups a day.

The apps I use most are MN, X, FB, WhatsApp, signal messenger, & discord I check each c 5/6 times a day.

I dont even have / use/ insta tic tok YouTube Spotify audible.

I hardly ever do online shopping.

I dont mind that I use the camera, calendar, times subscription, safari.

But an hour a day would be enough surely?

I'm so addicted!

I'm sure it's contributing to my weight gains.

Haha, I'm back in . Said I wouldn't be in again as thread seemed slow , guess they've are,a few on us,wanting to cut back .
Have been out this morning so not been in much.
Currently killing time as waiting for a delivery ( excuses , excuses ! )

I'm an addict too. I love my phone so much but im not living the life I want because I waste too much time on it.
Im going to start realistically by not going on any social media in the evening when I could be doing other things like watching tv, housework, chatting to my teens, and reading (I miss reading but can't seem to get round to it!)
I will use WhatsApp though as I have family in different countries and I want to chat to them if we're free. It doesn't always sync, but if it does, im grabbing that chance.
I've got a tv show lined up and a book so im ready!

I take my phone to bed with me as I use the alarm on it for the morning. It means I scroll instead of reading my book. I am hardly reading any books these days. I don't want to take my phone to bed but it's not easy to find an alarm clock that gives you all the same features such as being able to choose the snooze time, volume, etc.
If anyone can recommend an alarm clock that would be great.

@Trampauline Maybe put your phone on the landing? (And pick up a book?)

Right. I’m off to deposit this on the landing…

A fail last night after not being on it in the evenings since Sunday .

I've put timers on my worst apps & it's working already!