there are some phones that still have apps available, but i'm not sure if work would let you have a phone like that. definitely look into deleting all non-essential apps! the first step might be to shove them in a folder that says "unused" and see if you can live without them? and/or offload them off your phone (i know iphone can do this but not sure if android can.)
it's a great idea to use your phone more mindfully and less as a random swiping activity here's the process that i've found successful for me: 1. figure out what i REALLY use the phone for. like, the stuff that is absolutely non-negotiable. an example for me is digital banking - i have a partner, and we split everything, so i need to be able to access an app called Splitwise to put in things we split right away. another example is communication, i absolutely need a few apps like Discord because I use that to talk to my partner. an example for you would be your work apps. 2. list out every single app you have downloaded (tedious i know haha.) 3. delete any apps that can be accessed via a browser that aren't 100% essential (twitter is an example for me) - i find it less tempting if the app isn't on the phone and i have to use the crappy web interface, but i still have access to it if i want. you can delete "just in case" apps and redownload them if you need them later. 4. go through your notifications settings and be REALLY brutal about turning off notifications for anything that isn't 100% essential to respond to right away. the only notifications i have on are work related, texting/phone, and Ring so i can see if someone is at the door. i don't even have my email notifs on, i check them as i have time. if it's important they can call or text 5. keep the apps that you actually use front and center on your phone's homepage and make it easy to get to them 6. super important - find something else to do with your time! otherwise you may start undoing changes, or your time might be spent at the computer instead lol.
some other ideas: 1. utilize a screen time app to be able to measure exactly how much you're on your phone and on what apps, so you have data about what is distracting you 2. heavily customize and utilize focus modes if you have an iphone (not sure if there's an android equivalent, but DND probably works) 3. a lot of people swear by putting their phone in grayscale to make it more boring lol 4. look into third party apps that hard block you from distracting apps or websites. i know there are a lot available on android. if you're on android you can also look into minimalist launchers 5. dunbar's number says we can only really "know" 150 people, so try to keep your following count under 150 on social media if possible 6. inbox zero! try to keep your email inbox as empty as possible
the GOAT book that everyone recommends is Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport if you're interested in hearing more! i have a download if you want it :) just let me know!
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Date: 2023-08-25 02:58 pm (UTC)it's a great idea to use your phone more mindfully and less as a random swiping activity
here's the process that i've found successful for me:
1. figure out what i REALLY use the phone for. like, the stuff that is absolutely non-negotiable. an example for me is digital banking - i have a partner, and we split everything, so i need to be able to access an app called Splitwise to put in things we split right away. another example is communication, i absolutely need a few apps like Discord because I use that to talk to my partner. an example for you would be your work apps.
2. list out every single app you have downloaded (tedious i know haha.)
3. delete any apps that can be accessed via a browser that aren't 100% essential (twitter is an example for me) - i find it less tempting if the app isn't on the phone and i have to use the crappy web interface, but i still have access to it if i want. you can delete "just in case" apps and redownload them if you need them later.
4. go through your notifications settings and be REALLY brutal about turning off notifications for anything that isn't 100% essential to respond to right away. the only notifications i have on are work related, texting/phone, and Ring so i can see if someone is at the door. i don't even have my email notifs on, i check them as i have time. if it's important they can call or text
5. keep the apps that you actually use front and center on your phone's homepage and make it easy to get to them
6. super important - find something else to do with your time! otherwise you may start undoing changes, or your time might be spent at the computer instead lol.
some other ideas:
1. utilize a screen time app to be able to measure exactly how much you're on your phone and on what apps, so you have data about what is distracting you
2. heavily customize and utilize focus modes if you have an iphone (not sure if there's an android equivalent, but DND probably works)
3. a lot of people swear by putting their phone in grayscale to make it more boring lol
4. look into third party apps that hard block you from distracting apps or websites. i know there are a lot available on android. if you're on android you can also look into minimalist launchers
5. dunbar's number says we can only really "know" 150 people, so try to keep your following count under 150 on social media if possible
6. inbox zero! try to keep your email inbox as empty as possible
the GOAT book that everyone recommends is Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport if you're interested in hearing more! i have a download if you want it :) just let me know!