How to Make Your Phone Boring.

Jul 12 (edited) in Self Improvement & Motivation

Our relationship with our phones is changing. For a lot of us, the phone has reached this weird point in its life arc. What began as a tool, something that made the world easier, started to change our lives in a very different way. We've lost presence, joy, life. So it's time to change that. How can we reconnect with our lives? How can we keep the phone at arm's length while limiting its power over us?

You know, I think when we say phones are the problem, we mean something totally different. This focus on screen time doesn't quite cut to the core of the issue. Social media - Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok - they've all crafted their algorithms perfectly to suck you in. The colors, the sounds, the way they choose exactly where to put a piece of content they know you'll like... that's where the problem lies. So how do we remove that advantage and put the ball back in our court?

There are three ways:

1. The Basics: If you're reading this, you probably already know them, but if not: set your phone to grayscale, turn off notifications, use minimalist launchers, and delete social media apps. The idea here is to make the phone less appealing and remove the addictive psychology.

2. The Algorithm Reset: This is probably the most important step. Look, I'm not telling you to stop using social media entirely - I'd be a hypocrite if I did. But what I am saying is to filter your content streams. Go through all the apps you use and unfollow every account that isn't a person you'll meet again in the next 6 months to a year. Meme accounts, news accounts, celebrities - unfollow all of them. Turn off suggested content wherever you can. Some apps like TikTok, where infinite scrolling is unavoidable, are just going to have to go. So delete your account.

3. Change Your Consumption Habits: Again, you're not going to stop using social media, but at least change the habit around it. The easiest way I've found is to limit it to only specific devices - pretty much laptops or PCs, the things that won't leave the house with you. I think that gets you to a happy balance. You can still stay in contact with your friends, but when you're out of the house, you're present.

Now, let's talk about the nuclear option: phones from the 19's. I'm going to be honest, for 95% of students, this isn't viable in our modern world. We still need access to our smartphones to pay for things, to navigate campus, to access online learning platforms. But there are certain times when the old keypad phone is invaluable. That's what I'm suggesting here.

Don't use a keypad phone as your daily driver, but it's a useful and powerful tool to have in your arsenal to bring in some presence when you need it most. The last time I used my keypad phone was during finals week. I was cramming in the library for hours every day, and having a device that I could still use to call and text my friends if I needed to, but that didn't give me access to any form of distraction, was game-changing.

That's how a phone needs to be used: when you're out with friends, studying for an exam, in class, or spending time with your family. Those times where being fully engaged in the moment is the most important. And for about 50 bucks, it's not cheap, but it'll be one of the best investments you make into your academic and social life.

So give it a go. Let me know what you think.

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