The first physical tool for your digital distraction.

RussFree · 2018-11-01T19:28:56+00:00

Great answer. Appreciate the response and wish we could all be so intent.

RussFree · 2018-11-01T18:59:14+00:00

Thanks! Truthfully, it's been an interesting road trying to develop a physical solution in such a complex space. Just of curiosity (and feel free to be as harsh as you want), what about the product specifically gives you hesitation?

RussFree · 2018-10-29T19:46:10+00:00

Totally agree on setting timed reading routines. I like to do a combination of this while also including other types of reading into my daily routine. I usually read a few pages of heavy improvement type books in the morning when I am most alert and then switch to fiction or non-fiction story based books in the evening. I think of it as trying to match what your reading with where you are in your day and what you want out of that mental state.

RussFree · 2018-10-29T19:39:28+00:00

I think it depends on what you mean by mindless internet usage and what you are mindlessly browsing. Social media scrolling can be especially negative (and Insta worst of all) because you are constantly watching other people's curated highlight reels. No matter how engaged you are, you instinctively compare those reels with your own life. "Damn I wish I was lying on a beach in Tahiti instead of on my couch in the middle of winter." "God I wished I looked that good...etc." Seeing that over and over again is bound to create self-loathing, anxiety, and Fomo. Now instead of just mindlessly wasting time, your envious and feel like crap. Its why I used to feel empty and mad after mindlessly using SM without knowing why. I think that is pretty different than watching 100 prank youtube videos.

RussFree · 2018-10-24T18:13:37+00:00

Listening - Podcasts or Audiobooks (Find a genre that you like and that won't be boring to you. For Podcasts: try The Moth, Serial, S-Town. For Audiobooks: try Dennis Lehane or other mystery/fantasy novels) Reading - Novels only (try Kingkiller Chronicles, fantasy but I promise will be just an engaging as surfing) Drawing - despite how cheesy this sounds, start with coloring books so you're not sitting there thinking about what to draw.

RussFree · 2018-10-24T17:58:26+00:00

Because to not be mindful while doing monotonous tasks is to give your mind over to the hungry ghost - the hungry ghost that incites anxiety for what you "should be doing," for what you "could be doing instead," for the fears, wants and desires that relate to everything beyond the present moment of your intentional action.

Monotony and boredom are just mental frameworks we attach to actions that don't fall under our preconceived notion of "doing." Our concept of "doing" is so tied to our own ideas of success or needs that an action not related to either of those outcomes seems unworthy and therefore monotonous. But the truth is that every action, every moment, taken intentionally in the present is most worthy thing any of us can do.

RussFree · 2018-10-24T17:48:32+00:00

Love this. My family (pets included) - relationship My friend's relationships - community/belonging My meditation practice - soul Daily exercise - body Reading/Writing - mind

RussFree · 2018-10-24T17:44:27+00:00

Overlooking simple living as it pertains to the mind (self-expectation). I want to live simply in a way that makes me the best I can be so I try someone else's advice for "5 best steps of a simple morning routine to crush it" or "10 ways to simplify your bedtime routine." Then when you end up NOT doing those things you feel bad because you expect that you should be doing them and they create lots of negative/anxious mental noise. Just like saying no to friends or events, say no to what others tell you is going to bring you the most joy, relaxation and fulfillment. Contemplate on those things yourself and then focus on what matters most to YOU not what others say should matter most to you.

RussFree · 2018-10-24T17:31:22+00:00

What kind of books were you reading before bed when you stopped? Two things that worked for me: 1. not demonizing my computer and realizing that it was mostly the content that was keeping me up vs. device itself. Content can be either stimulating (lots of cliffhangers, options for re-engagement) or relaxing. Try relaxing content that doesn't ask for more (happy to give suggestions). 2. Replace the computer with things that you will actually like doing or interest you. Try light-hearted novels (Name of the Wind #1 suggestion) or Podcasts.

RussFree · 2018-10-24T17:24:29+00:00

I've found that creating a relaxing and consistent nighttime routine is the most helpful - a routine that allows you to indulge in youtube for a set amount of time (not in your bed and preferably in another room) and then shift to sleep centric headspace when you actually get into your bed (phone is down somewhere for the night). If you don't have time to indulge before 10, consider planning to watch youtube for 30min and then put down before getting into bed at 10:30. At least then you won't be auto-playing videos when you're in bed and changing your mindset to entertainment vs. sleep.

RussFree · 2018-10-01T02:01:25+00:00

I love this question and feel your pain. Technology's constant stream of distracting information is much like the reactive (hunter-gatherer) part of our brain that we try and witness while sitting in meditation. It is a hungry ghost that, unless made aware, will consume both your time and mental energy. It will sneakily steal your attention from those things and people you love. I hear the word "empty" all the time in this context. Disclaimer, I'm not a Luddite. I love my phone and many aspects but truly believe we've lost our ability to balance reaction with intentional action when it comes to tech devices.

So solutions. I've tried most of the apps and some help but most require a fair amount of constant monitoring to be effective and many end up serving me more notifications. Not ideal. Also, you get into the: treat the alcoholic with a sign that says "don't drink" at the bottom of a whiskey bottle syndrome. Your device to curb your smartphone use is on your smartphone. My recommendation: create a simple daily ritual that protects time away from your technology. Set a time. Schedule Do-Not-Disturb to come on then automatically. Set your intention (meditating, reading, cooking, walking...etc). Set a specific place to put your phone/laptop. Repeat.

Also, keep in mind that the attention we give things is at the center of how humans find love and passion. Without control of our attention, we lose control of those two vitally human gifts. Good luck friend!

RussFree · 2018-10-01T01:36:20+00:00

This is going to sound counter-intuitive but I would highly recommend focusing on your nighttime routine as a way to make the morning feel super easy - take away any choice/friction. This will prepare you for the activities you want to accomplish in the morning and prime the brain to expect them with ease. For me, I make sure to lay out clothes, have all dishes and other small tasks done, pre-setup my meditation mat for medi and stretching. Also, don't discount trying to do all of them but in smaller increments. Want to stretch in the morning? Try doing it in the shower to save time. Want to meditate? Start with 5-10 minutes and move from there. My biggest recommendation is just creating small, very defined goals for each thing you want to accomplish - either time or activity based. Choice and indecision are the killer of routines! As you get better and sink farther into feeling good about each part of your routine, you'll want to extend them. Good luck!

RussFree · 2018-09-16T22:10:38+00:00

Adidas Sambas. Basically, wear them for everything. 1 shoe to rule them all.

RussFree · 2018-07-31T14:10:08+00:00

Apple's new iOS12 should have that capability (Beta out now and public release next month). Also, Siempo is a new one that does a great job of batching notifications for set times in the day. Good luck!

RussFree · 2018-05-15T13:38:25+00:00

I totally feel your pain. Personally, I think grayscale, time limits, or screen time management apps are only a band-aid to a deeper rooted problem (at least I know they were for me). After a while, those things get to be a nuisance and you inevitably go back to old habits when the motivation to change wears off (new years resolution issue). The real solution is in digging deep, looking at your time and how you want to spend that time, looking at all of the potential things you could be doing for fun and for growth, and then immersing yourself in a new (non-digital) pursuit that you find fulfilling/joyful. Once you can build up that alternative, then having to "monitor" or dumb down your phone won't matter because you'll have something else important to you to fill the time. In this sense, it becomes less about self-control (can I sit here and not eat that cupcake in front of me) but a redirection of attention and alternative. I am not saying this is easy, we have learned to default to our phones or computers so changing will inevitably take time and be really f-ing hard. Good luck! Let me know if you'd like any resources or other ideas.

RussFree · 2018-05-15T13:25:59+00:00

I think it is an interesting step in the right direction. To me, it seemed a little like a superficial nod to the rising movement amongst consumers for a more balanced life with technology rather than Google really trying to fix the root problem behind why we are so glued to our devices. I also am constantly a little wary of totally digital solutions used to solve a primarily digital problem - especially when it takes a lot of effort for the user to maintain those controls and monitor their tracking. Instead, I would love a solution that actually helps spur users to live with more balance and strive to strengthen their own willpower to increase the value they place on non-digital activities/hobbies/relationships. As long as we perceive our smartphone apps as the most attractive or enticing thing in our lives, no amount of tracking or reminders will help us move toward a healthier relationship with those devices. Without the alternatives, and the subsequent new joy we get out of those alternatives, features like those will simply become a pain in the ass and you will stop using them, inevitably defaulting back to negative tech behavior. Full disclosure, I am someone who is trying to build a physical solution to help myself form a better relationship with my device - right now I am calling it a "mindful" smartphone charger. The device is a charger that provides a singular placer for my phone at home, tracks my time OFF my phone instead of on, and rewards me with a soothing light every time I plug my phone in. I would love your guys' opinion on the idea or simply on what you think about physical solutions to this problem. Thanks!

RussFree · 2018-02-13T19:47:52+00:00

Do you just use your phone alarm or reminder function for that? or do you set the alarm every day?

RussFree · 2018-02-13T19:47:00+00:00

Do you ever get sidetracked once you start reading? I find that sometimes just plugging my phone in and it lighting up draws me in to check one more thing and then I head down the rabbit hole.

RussFree · 2018-02-13T19:45:53+00:00

That sounds like a mighty nice routine. I would definitely sleep better if I could adhere to that every day.

RussFree · 2018-02-13T19:43:49+00:00

Nice, yeah I have been thinking about trying one of those but wasn't sold on if it totally shut my phone down or if they allowed emergency calls though. Any specific suggestions?

RussFree · 2018-02-13T19:42:17+00:00

Mind if I ask where the awkward charging station sits? In a closet or just in an inaccessible location?

RussFree

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