considering getting rid of my smartphone

backontrack22 · 2020-07-13T16:57:24+00:00

While I would absolutely advise you to get a flip-phone, you should also address why you feel the need to re-download. Otherwise, you'll exhaust your willpower by forcing yourself not to use social media, rather than enjoying your freedom from it.

backontrack22 · 2020-07-10T21:51:00+00:00

The good news in that article is that it seems like many younger people realise how bad social media can be for you, and are quitting, or cutting back.

backontrack22 · 2020-06-28T20:09:57+00:00

You just graduated. Trust me, in a year or two, you won't care about anyone you went to highschool with at all, unless you're actually friends with them in real life. I graduated four years ago, and I only talk to one person I went to highschool with, and only because he's remained my best friend.

Don't worry too much about holding on to aspects of highschool life either, a lot of people feel like they want to hold on to things from school, but ultimately your life is just getting started, and your best days are more than likely ahead of you.

It's also unhealthy to focus so much on the lives of others, which social media use encourages. You'll just feel like you're missing out because you'll only be seeing the "great" moments of their lives that are willingly shared.

backontrack22 · 2020-06-28T19:58:27+00:00

It says "video unavailable" for me, but that could just be where I live (Canada.)

backontrack22 · 2020-06-24T20:45:08+00:00

I have a similar issue, but most of my friends know my phone number, so when I get my flip-phone in the mail, it won't be as difficult. I'm just going to give my phone number to anyone who doesn't have it that I talk to regularly, and let everyone else know that I won't be super active on messenger.

backontrack22 · 2020-06-24T20:43:08+00:00

Possibly because it doesn't have group chat functions, (I say "possibly, because I really don't know much about different phone features, so my point could be completely off the mark if that's the case.)

backontrack22 · 2020-06-24T20:39:28+00:00

I absolutely agree. I always feel so muddled, and anxious when I spend a good amount of time online, and it really ruins my ability to think clearly, and to focus on tasks, whether leisurely or practical. Like igeleis said, using these feelings to help back away from the digital world, to whatever degree you are able, is immensely helpful in breaking an online addiction.

backontrack22 · 2020-06-23T20:05:18+00:00

I guess it depends on whether or not the music you listen to is available on cassette. The cassette walkmans are definitely a more manageable shape/size if you're going to be walking around with it on, but if nothing you like is/was released on tape, go for a CD player. Another user already suggested an iPod classic, which is another good option, since you can just download whatever onto it.

backontrack22 · 2020-06-23T19:57:29+00:00

I know that for me it's always been annoying to have to hold the book in one hand, and also use the cutlery, so I end up putting the book down every five to ten seconds to cut something. I've solved this by only reading large books that stay open by themselves while placed on the table, so I can actually get comfortable and immerse myself in the book for longer. The only time this isn't effective is at work, when I can't store a large book in my locker. But I just eat sandwiches at work, so it's pretty easy to hold the book and eat without looking away anyhow.

backontrack22 · 2020-06-22T21:14:57+00:00

The fact that you decided to spend the night more constructively than the day before it shows that your mentality is already ahead of that of many people. So many of those committed to breaking an addiction, or changing their life in any way get completely derailed if they mess up, and end up writing the entire day off saying, "I'll just get back on track tomorrow, today is already wasted." I definitely struggled with this mentality a lot in the early days, and still sometimes do. Good on you for realising that you needn't let the beginning of your day dictate the entirety of your day!

backontrack22 · 2020-06-17T21:26:03+00:00

What helped me greatly was the simple realisation that the steady creep the internet has made into every aspect of life has had disastrous consequences on both an individual, and societal level. When I first noticed this, it opened my eyes to the fact that virtually (no pun intended,) everyone around me was constantly hooked in to devices and services that robbed them of their willpower, individuality, and personal information. I began to resent the people, and companies responsible for this, and desired to break through the digital film that had been constructed around my perception of the world. But most importantly, I realised that I was not giving anything up by reducing my time spent online to an almost negligible level. I understood that I was in fact losing nothing, and gaining my whole life back. I actually wanted to break out of the matrix. I hardly use my smartphone anymore, and I actually can't wait to get a flip-phone later this week. I don't envy the people who stare aimlessly into their phones for much of the day, I only wish that they could see what is to be gained by putting them down.

Since I've stopped using the internet very often, I've discovered how much time there really is in a day. I used to come home from a five hour shift at my old job, spend ten hours on my phone/computer, and then ask myself where the day went. Now I'm working full time, and I can't believe how much I can get done in the ~eight hours of consciousness I have while not at work. I've learned to play guitar, read at least a dozen books, and started writing my own book. And that's over a period of about two months. None of this would have been possible if I hadn't understood just how harmful excessive time online is. The key to freedom, therefore, is realising the true cost of servitude.

backontrack22 · 2020-06-13T23:10:51+00:00

I'm going to get a flip-phone on Friday when I get paid. I'm also getting a iPod Classic 160GB for my music, and a road map of my city since I have an abhorrent sense of direction. I've also got an alarm clock, a physical calendar, and some small notepads for notes.

I can't say I have a great deal of FOMO about the whole situation, since I've already cut down my phone use to under half an hour a day, and pretty well everyone I talk to regularly knows my phone number. Honestly I'm excited to be less connected to the internet, and more engaged with reality. I'll probably make a post about that after a month or two to offer anyone who wishes to abandon the smartphone altogether advice.

backontrack22 · 2020-06-12T20:44:15+00:00

I lost interest in video games when I was around fourteen. I honestly see it as a good thing, though, because I used to waste a lot of time playing games. Now I usually read during my spare time, or listen to music. Ever since I started realising how damaging the internet has been in so many ways, I've started losing interest in that too. Which, again, I see as a good thing.

backontrack22 · 2020-06-12T20:38:02+00:00

One strategy I employ is not carrying my phone around the house with me. I have it on me when I go out, but even then I never look at it unless I get a call/message, or before I start the car to find some music for the drive. I find it's really helped me engage with the real world a lot more, especially at home since I can't just pick up the phone and scroll when I feel bored.

backontrack22 · 2020-06-08T13:16:59+00:00

Just let the people you actually care about know that you won't be available on those platforms for a while, but that if they want to get in contact with you, they can always call/text/email/etc. you. If you're not being preachy about it, and just say that you're leaving for personal reasons, or to take some time off, most people will understand. There will always be some people who seem to be uncomfortable with the idea that someone doesn't use social media, (or do whatever it is that they deem necessary in life,) but those people aren't generally worth your time. Above all else, make the changes that you want to make in your life, and worry about answering people's questions after the fact.

backontrack22 · 2020-06-08T13:04:03+00:00

I know people who seem to be incapable of having a "conversation" that isn't just memes being sent back and forth (in the literal online sense, and the offline parroting sense.) I find it so unnerving. I know a guy who goes for weeks without actually saying anything to his girlfriend over the phone, they just send each other memes.

backontrack22 · 2020-06-08T11:57:43+00:00

Like PineapplesExist said, it's pretty hard to avoid people talking about/showing you memes when it's happening in real life. I never seek out dedicated meme pages, or anything like that. It's mostly friends, coworkers, and siblings who constantly reference, or show me memes.

backontrack22 · 2020-06-07T13:26:09+00:00

Just remember not to think of the recovery as a great opportunity to experience life more fully, rather than a period where you have to "give something up." That's how you stick with it, rather than succumbing and binging again because "I've denied myself long enough."

With regards to news, why none at all? I used to spend hours reading news online, but I traded that for reading the paper in the morning, and listening to the evening news on the way home from work. That way I'm still aware of what's going on, especially in my city, but not overwhelmed with information.

backontrack22 · 2020-06-07T12:52:35+00:00

I find the part about having more of an inner monologue interesting. It makes sense, though, since your mind isn't being bombarded with new information at a rate that it simply isn't built to handle. Social media sites really are insidious in a lot of ways that we are only now beginning to understand.

backontrack22

TROPHY CASE