No, I live in Austin, but if I don't see the sun for a few days (this month basically), I spiral. I also take ketamine therapeutically and it helps. But I need to go back to florida. The one year I lived in Providence I was miserable; my sympathies.
Great post, loved reading it. I have been off facebook for the last few years, and it has been helpful. I love your perspective, very practical and thanks for sharing your reading list...
I reduced social media greatly fifteen years ago when I started writing novels. There's no time to do both; and like you and so many others, I found social media feeds depressing, especially Facebook where everyone presents only their best selves, unconsciously making others feel badly about themselves because no one sees the doubts, fears, insecurities, depression, anxieties, and external problems in their world. I once made a friend feel bad because I posted photos while I was visiting Italy; my friend went on a bit of a self-pitying trip, just ranting, she wasn't trying to hurt me, but she didn't get to go anywhere because she never had enough money (ironically, the year before, I'd seen her and she'd talked about how she never made much money but she was happy with her life so it was a little weird!) But, point taken, if I went anywhere glamorous after that I'd post a warning: "I'm going to X and I'll be posting vacation photos; if that's not your jam you might want to hide my posts between this date and that date."
If you want to accomplish *anything* you *have* to get rid of or at least reduce social media. I reduced it, and don't feel compelled to be on it constantly. I miss out on a lot. A friend will be like, "My son just graduated college!" and I'm like, "OMG, when did you have a baby???" LOL. Okay I'm exaggerating but I do miss a lot not being on social media. But, it's also good for posting my writing projects and I *do* want to keep up with actual friends. I accomplish a lot. I've written several books that are on Amazon and now I write regularly for Substack. Yet I can *still* sit down and intend to scroll funny animal Instagram videos for 'just a few minutes' and get up from the couch three hours later. Not. Good.
I am really excited to try this! I've known i needed to do it for a long time. Mental health issues are only exacerbated for me online. Here's my biggest hurdle and I'm hoping you have a solution. I don't know exactly when it happened, but domestic and international political happenings crept up on me and I became half obsessed with what is going on at all times. I spend time reading the same topic from 10 different people only to find the 2 sentences that may be different overall. I do not like this version of myself, but I am so afraid I will miss something important. I have no idea why. What could I do to change it right that second? Nothing. So, how do you get your news? Do you have a time limit? I read 5 newspapers and day, twice a day. I'm so afraid of being in a bubble that I make myself nuts.
"When bored, instead of picking up the phone, have a book or notebook nearby to scratch the itch. This will help you practice focusing without effort and fill the vacuum of boredom with something good for your brain."
Agree 100%! At times when I can't motivate myself to pick up a book, I find writing a list or transcribing whatever thoughts are in my mind help alleviate boredom for a while.
Mixed feelings about this. I’m a short sleeper and wake up after 5 hours. I have an old phone at my bedside and it’s a way to make the best use of time until the sun rises.
I had a creative burst a few months ago and started a short novella story on the Notes app and wrote a third of it there before it had to be taken to a laptop to finish.
Am addicted to Instagram and it’s purely for entertainment. I have discovered some artsy, interesting people there.
Redditt can be a phenomenon source of information. I got advice for a medical problem that was not found anywhere else.
When I’m in a writing frenzy phase I pretty much ignore everything else until the passion fades. It’s all a matter of balance.
If it works for you, great. Most people will get addicted, and addiction of any kind is a drain on willpower. I’d ask you try breaking up with Instagram.
Great post Radha! I admit I stopped reading books for recreation in 2010. I moved onto books for learning about a specific subject matter for a few years then stopped altogether, with the occasional flip through book chapters for specific interests or spiritual readings. It's only in the last two years that I have read a full book to provide a book review. I substituted books for long form essays, blogs, and other text media.
What I've missed is how books illuminate things that have been running in the background. I've missed how absorbing a good book is. Making time to read a book rather than read from my phone/laptop is definitely worth doing.
Wow, just by happenstance, I have had my phone in the other room while I worked on a tedious task (year-end index of my journals) all day today. I actually made a lot of progress on the task, though.
Do you know anyone who's given up tech work on order to do something that forced them to stay off of screens for pay? Some days it feels like that's the only solution for some of us.
Thanks for sharing how you put your phone in its place. I really wish my job didn't require me to use a smartphone app for 2FA. I took a break from most of my phone activities over the holidays, and it was really nice. But last night I was doomscrolling Substack and catching up on stupid fights between people I don't know. It's easy to skip back into the bad mode. I've been a great reader ever since childhood, but I feel like the internet, social media, and the smartphone gave me ADHD (that and becoming a parent).
Those are some good book recommendations (Troubled was a favorite of mine, too)! Maybe 2025 will be the year I fully commit to breaking up with my phone and you offer some great suggestions.
Really need help with this
I don't know how to do it
And get just as addicted to the computer
Help!!!!!
This post encouraged me. Thank you.
I'm curious why are you still on meds when you're so on the ball. Meds for what?
I’m trying to get off them, but I have seasonal mood issues so it’s slow going. I’ve gotten off one so far. And planning on doing more this year
No, I live in Austin, but if I don't see the sun for a few days (this month basically), I spiral. I also take ketamine therapeutically and it helps. But I need to go back to florida. The one year I lived in Providence I was miserable; my sympathies.
Great post, loved reading it. I have been off facebook for the last few years, and it has been helpful. I love your perspective, very practical and thanks for sharing your reading list...
always love hearing from you Joyoti!
I reduced social media greatly fifteen years ago when I started writing novels. There's no time to do both; and like you and so many others, I found social media feeds depressing, especially Facebook where everyone presents only their best selves, unconsciously making others feel badly about themselves because no one sees the doubts, fears, insecurities, depression, anxieties, and external problems in their world. I once made a friend feel bad because I posted photos while I was visiting Italy; my friend went on a bit of a self-pitying trip, just ranting, she wasn't trying to hurt me, but she didn't get to go anywhere because she never had enough money (ironically, the year before, I'd seen her and she'd talked about how she never made much money but she was happy with her life so it was a little weird!) But, point taken, if I went anywhere glamorous after that I'd post a warning: "I'm going to X and I'll be posting vacation photos; if that's not your jam you might want to hide my posts between this date and that date."
If you want to accomplish *anything* you *have* to get rid of or at least reduce social media. I reduced it, and don't feel compelled to be on it constantly. I miss out on a lot. A friend will be like, "My son just graduated college!" and I'm like, "OMG, when did you have a baby???" LOL. Okay I'm exaggerating but I do miss a lot not being on social media. But, it's also good for posting my writing projects and I *do* want to keep up with actual friends. I accomplish a lot. I've written several books that are on Amazon and now I write regularly for Substack. Yet I can *still* sit down and intend to scroll funny animal Instagram videos for 'just a few minutes' and get up from the couch three hours later. Not. Good.
I am really excited to try this! I've known i needed to do it for a long time. Mental health issues are only exacerbated for me online. Here's my biggest hurdle and I'm hoping you have a solution. I don't know exactly when it happened, but domestic and international political happenings crept up on me and I became half obsessed with what is going on at all times. I spend time reading the same topic from 10 different people only to find the 2 sentences that may be different overall. I do not like this version of myself, but I am so afraid I will miss something important. I have no idea why. What could I do to change it right that second? Nothing. So, how do you get your news? Do you have a time limit? I read 5 newspapers and day, twice a day. I'm so afraid of being in a bubble that I make myself nuts.
No news :) I know it’s radical but just take a break for 30 days and let me know how it goes
"When bored, instead of picking up the phone, have a book or notebook nearby to scratch the itch. This will help you practice focusing without effort and fill the vacuum of boredom with something good for your brain."
Agree 100%! At times when I can't motivate myself to pick up a book, I find writing a list or transcribing whatever thoughts are in my mind help alleviate boredom for a while.
That’s very healthy. I’ve bought the Daily Stoic journal because I need prompts. You may like it.
Thank you for this piece and challenge. Btw Coleman Hughes (not Huges)
Corrected, thanks!
I noticed I get more done if my phone is off and in a cupboard or room away from me - just the presence alone is an atomic bomb on attention
There's this excellent video series talking about unbundling the phone (from a music POV):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou2dW4qebbw&list=PLhgVLgz7Hja5g8uZRXm3n-gu4aPjmtq1h
Atomic bomb is so apt. I consider social media an atomic bomb too.
I wonder if Substack posts can be turned into ink on paper? Bookstack anyone?
I like printing Substack pieces.
I love this essay so much. Thank you, this year will be year to break up with my phone and read/write more. Timely reminder!
Mixed feelings about this. I’m a short sleeper and wake up after 5 hours. I have an old phone at my bedside and it’s a way to make the best use of time until the sun rises.
I had a creative burst a few months ago and started a short novella story on the Notes app and wrote a third of it there before it had to be taken to a laptop to finish.
Am addicted to Instagram and it’s purely for entertainment. I have discovered some artsy, interesting people there.
Redditt can be a phenomenon source of information. I got advice for a medical problem that was not found anywhere else.
When I’m in a writing frenzy phase I pretty much ignore everything else until the passion fades. It’s all a matter of balance.
If it works for you, great. Most people will get addicted, and addiction of any kind is a drain on willpower. I’d ask you try breaking up with Instagram.
Great post Radha! I admit I stopped reading books for recreation in 2010. I moved onto books for learning about a specific subject matter for a few years then stopped altogether, with the occasional flip through book chapters for specific interests or spiritual readings. It's only in the last two years that I have read a full book to provide a book review. I substituted books for long form essays, blogs, and other text media.
What I've missed is how books illuminate things that have been running in the background. I've missed how absorbing a good book is. Making time to read a book rather than read from my phone/laptop is definitely worth doing.
I do the same mostly but only this year have added fun fiction. I always read to learn but that gets tiring. Thanks for reading!
Wow, just by happenstance, I have had my phone in the other room while I worked on a tedious task (year-end index of my journals) all day today. I actually made a lot of progress on the task, though.
Do you know anyone who's given up tech work on order to do something that forced them to stay off of screens for pay? Some days it feels like that's the only solution for some of us.
*in order to
Thanks for sharing how you put your phone in its place. I really wish my job didn't require me to use a smartphone app for 2FA. I took a break from most of my phone activities over the holidays, and it was really nice. But last night I was doomscrolling Substack and catching up on stupid fights between people I don't know. It's easy to skip back into the bad mode. I've been a great reader ever since childhood, but I feel like the internet, social media, and the smartphone gave me ADHD (that and becoming a parent).
Those are some good book recommendations (Troubled was a favorite of mine, too)! Maybe 2025 will be the year I fully commit to breaking up with my phone and you offer some great suggestions.
Do share how it goes :)
Will do! I’m hoping to invest more time into my Substack where I share book reviews and reflections so these tips will help me free up more time for a more meaningful hobby. https://open.substack.com/pub/ryanclarkself/p/my-top-10-books-of-2024?r=7y31d&utm_medium=ios