Cutting down on phone use

[Tallgreenbottle]

What has worked for you? Ironically I'm posting this from my phone, I know!

Have tried the phone bowl, turning data off, putting it in a drawer, and I'm moments away of just throwing it out the window.

I put it down, leave the room and try and focus on something else. Do whatever task that is for a while then within moments I have aimlessly wandered or gone looking for something and somehow I end up with my phone back in my hand.

My friends (I have friends across the globe so different time zones too) are prolific texters and whatsappers. I am also guilty of this. Group chats are a big thing. Someone is always awake somewhere and it's non stop.

And if it's not that then it's the news, reddit, mumsnet, wikipedia or whatever else I can get my eyes on.

I'm going to have to launch it out the bloody window aren't I?? 😟

YABU for No
YANBU for Yes 😂

Set times when your allowed on your phone and stick to it! Even if its half an hour on and half an hour of! Luckily I have a young DD so can't sit on my phone all day but easily would if I could 🤣

I'm here shamelessly looking for tips on how to put mine down too now. I have often thought about starting a thread on how to get off mumsnet .

I think particularly when I'm sleepy or blue it's hard to stop.

@Coolcoolcoolcoolcool DH has DS downstairs so I'm just lazing in bed. I should be reading, or snoozing or even just having some 'me' time. Nope. Mumsnet. Ffs 🙈

There are (ironically) apps that block access to asm sites (and are customisable to add other URLs too.

You could try those? Look in your App Store for social media blockers - quiet, moment etc

I’ve started knitting purely to stop me being on my bloody phone. It works, especially in the evening when I’m watching Tv but still glued to my phone.

My BFF has just ditched her smart phone for a Nokia brick, does nothing other than call and text; no games, apps or internet connection, I’m seriously tempted!

I’m desperate to end my phone addiction. I spend hours on mine whilst my house goes to rack and ruin

My friend puts a block on apps like a parent would with their children so she can’t use over her daily limit. Works for her.

On my phone there is a setting for limiting use to a certain number of hours a day. Unfortunately it's easy enough to turn off though.

I'm seriously tempted to get a brick, but my phone is so convenient for work emails, Tesco shop, banking... I can't go cold turkey because I need it for those. I deleted Facebook but now I'm on here all the time.

My friend never takes her phone upstairs. Wouldn't work for me, but something to try?

Im terrible too....I dare not look now at how long I spend on it a day. I’ve noticed I can’t even watch a TV programme without looking at it in the middle. My DD7 has commented too so time to do something I think.

Why do you feel the need to cut down? Serious question. If it’s not interfering with your ability to do stuff or interact with your family why worry about it? I love going on my phone, it’s relaxing no different to reading a book depending on what you do on it. It’s the modern equivalent of reading.

I have this problem too.
I want to stop as I don’t think it’s good for the DC to see me looking at it all the time.
If I’m at home like today I have started setting a quiet timer for 30 mins every hour. I’m not allowed to look at it until the timer goes off.

I’m planning on having a cut down too, having just received my ‘screen time’ notification for the week. I don’t even want to say what the figure was as it’s so bad

The closest I’ve come before to limiting my screen time is by allowing myself set times during the day when I can use my phone e.g. 3 x 30 minute chunks. But I’ve never kept it up long term. I think I’ll try it again, but this time with a more gradual reduction in my screen time e.g. 8 x 30 minute chunks in week one, then reducing gradually each week. I’m also going to try and leave my phone at home when I go shopping or for a walk.

I have a phone box, which is high up so not immediately in my eyeline and in the living room, that I put my phone in when I need a break in the evenings. As I usually read in my bedroom having it in another room means I'm too lazy to go and get it. It didn't work when I left it in a pot in the hallway as I would just automatically pick it up as I went past.

I've also found practicing not having your phone by going out for a few hours without it works well. Now I don't go straight to it when I get back in, and makes you realise how many times you check it for no reason and get sucked into something pointless.

No @Fairylea it is not. It is really not. Sorry.

I'm wasting hours of my life reading mostly nonsense when I could be reading beautiful structed nonsense in the sense of fantasy fiction, or studying, or gardening, or taking enjoyment in something more worthwhile.

No offence, though I'm sure many will take it, but mumsnet and reading forums is not worthwhile, when it taking up the majority of time I have spare to do genuinely pleasurable things.