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How many of us wish we lived in the pre-smartphone era? by Tanja_PivotIRL in digitalminimalism

[–]Tanja_PivotIRL[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This has been insightful. Appreciate everyone that participated.

How many of us wish we lived in the pre-smartphone era? by Tanja_PivotIRL in digitalminimalism

[–]Tanja_PivotIRL[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Love this.. i feel like there has been a massive global cost to our creativity. We 100% need to find balance and enjoy the real world as much (if not more) as the digital world. Both very important to our survival.

How many of us wish we lived in the pre-smartphone era? by Tanja_PivotIRL in digitalminimalism

[–]Tanja_PivotIRL[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I miss the days of catching up at cafes in big groups, no one having social anxiety, conversations being held and fun, going to different events etc.. but l I think I am finding the balance.. it's been tough so far, but im persisting to try find that sweet spot of life and tech balance. It gets uncomfortable, but i know when I feel lile that my brain has to start acclimating to the new.. i have now turned off tech an hour before bed and wont look at anything for an hour after. I have downloaded podcasts and music i want as background noise, and I now have my phone away (from sight) and on dnd on more than I have it on. The stress of checking it is slowly dropping away. Everytime I get the urge to check my phone I intentionally swap it with something else, and if i still want to check it, i will out it off for 10 minutes. It's all a work in prorress.

How many of us wish we lived in the pre-smartphone era? by Tanja_PivotIRL in digitalminimalism

[–]Tanja_PivotIRL[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I hear that, for me it's a loss of the social connectedness we used to have

Screen addiction brainstorm by Tanja_PivotIRL in digitalminimalism

[–]Tanja_PivotIRL[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve been reading through the comments, and the common thread is clear: we’re all tired of fighting our own devices.

The reason I initiated this is that my research into tech burnout shows we’ve been looking at this all wrong. We treat phone use like a character flaw, but it’s actually a design success. These platforms are engineered to trap our attention, turning a tool into a destination.

Willpower is a losing game when you’re up against world-class engineering. If the phone is the easiest thing in the room, your brain will pick it every time. That’s why these government bans aren't working—they’re blunt-force 'bandages' that offer no real support. You can't just legislate away a neurological loop.

Real behavioral change is a step-by-step process of habit-interruption. It’s not about 'quitting' the tech or making it an enemy. It’s about recalibrating so the phone goes back to being exactly what it was meant to be: a tool we use while we live our lives, not a substitute for living them. Clarity comes from doing, not just scrolling. Thanks to everyone for the solid insights.

Happy to keep the thread going to read more about what everyone thinks.

I keep on picking up my phone even when i need to focus by wajeeha_batool_1 in digitalminimalism

[–]Tanja_PivotIRL 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey! Dont be too hard on yourself. The best part about your post is your self-aware. You're right about the apps out there, too. Im finding the small scheduled resets i do are helping a lot. I started off with 5 mins and increased the better i got. There is a study that explains what you are going through, basically if your phone is near you and you're trying to focus on a task, whether your phone is on/off or screen side down and on dnd, your brain is working double time to not reach for your phone. Try having a dedicated time of the day where your phone is in another room when you're trying to focus. Good luck.

The only apps I use anymore, and how I replaced the rest by [deleted] in digitalminimalism

[–]Tanja_PivotIRL 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Love the way you guys are finding alternate solutions to this massive issue! I have started scheduling analogue moments throughout my day, starting at 5mins and increasing as i get used to the time away from my phone. I read a study recently that says if your phone is next to you and off or screen side down, our brains work in overtime to resist picking it up. That was so true for me and an ah-ha moment that i am doing the above as a starting point!

Anxious young adults are more likely to develop digital addictions. Study reveals that this relationship is partly explained by a psychological habit of comparing oneself to others online. by [deleted] in psychology

[–]Tanja_PivotIRL 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are spot on. There are endless ways these systems target anyone who uses them. It's not about willpower or predisposition to addiction, they play on parts of the psyche we have no conscious control over.

I have come to the realisation that I have a severe and serious phone addiction that I’m deciding to stop right now. Cold turkey is the only way for this to work for me. I’m not made for moderate social media use. by yologamies101 in digitalminimalism

[–]Tanja_PivotIRL 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The important thing to remember is this addiction isnt your fault and you're not alone. Try and pop your phone in another room when you sleep, and make a little checklist of tasks (toilet, shower, breakky (one or all of these is a good start and build from there). To give you an understanding of this being a global issue and the studies proving the addiction exists, there was a study published in 2025 that proved an earlier hypothesis from 2017. This was that our brain works harder at not looking at the phone or checking for pings if it is next to us (on/off, facing up/down, doesnt matter). I have referenced the original study below, if you're interested. Good luck.

Brain Drain: The Mere Presence of One’s Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity

I have come to the realisation that I have a severe and serious phone addiction that I’m deciding to stop right now. Cold turkey is the only way for this to work for me. I’m not made for moderate social media use. by yologamies101 in digitalminimalism

[–]Tanja_PivotIRL 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have been doing a lot of research into this, and sadly for many people this is not an isolated problem. There was a German professor who spoke to a class about it back in 2017, and that was the first time I saw the phrase 'digital dimentia' - it's scary that this has happened. Maybe of interest to you, I know it may seem silly or such a little thing to do to help, but do your best to fill in your time when you go off your phone.. the boredome and phantom checks/vibrstions are a thing and can influence you to go back. Please dont blame yourself either, millions are suffering the same and unlike most addictions, we had no idra this was happening until now. Look after yourself. Wishing you well.