About a year ago, I gave up my smart phone. I was having a hard time keeping it out of my hand, so I took a break from it. During that break, I did some soul searching. Did I actually need a smart phone? No. Could I really live without it? Yes! But the thing is, giving up my smart phone didn't really solve my problem. I was still looking at instagram too much, but now it was on our little iPad instead. What to do? Get rid of instagram?! Heavens! I was moments away from taking just such a drastic step when I got a chatbook in the mail. Shoot. Chatbooks are our favorite. I never ever print photos, let alone put them in a photo book, so chatbooks are the best. They take photos from your instagram and automatically send you a little book every month. My kids love them. They are the only non-digital record of our life and I wasn't ready to give that up.
And then something happened. Like the flipping of a switch, my attitude about instagram changed and I am so grateful. Instead of thinking of it as something to fill the time when I had a spare moment, I started to think of it as a place to document our family life. Period. It's always mostly been about that for me, but with a good amount of time wasting added in. Now I can post a photo, but I don't have to see how many likes it gets. I can scroll through my feed to see what my close friends and family are up to, but I don't need to follow everyone in the world (like people I knew a million years ago or people I've never even met!). I can go a day or two without looking at it, and I certainly don't have to check it right before I fall asleep every night. If I can think of it just as a place to post photos for our family record, I think I'll be ok.
But I can feel my old habits creeping back in, ever so slowly. Here's the good news: because of the long break I took from my smart phone, it is easier to recognize when I need to take a step back and put the phone down and walk away.
Some rules I made for myself: Instagram isn't on my home screen. I have to search for it. And the search function and the news tab inside of the app are off limits. The sound doesn't work on my ancient iPhone, so the new instagram stories are pretty much pointless. And that's ok with me!
The new school year always feels like a fresh start. Even though I'm alone for most of the day now (!) and no one can see if I'm wasting time on my phone or not, I know that I can be better. There is a difference in my day when I spend too much time on my phone. It makes me feel frazzled and anxious. This is a good chance to get back to some good habits.
But I have to tell you, texting is SO much easier on a smart phone. And maps! I missed those maps!
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Good job doing what works for you! I have to say, ever since I discovered that you can upload a photo directly to your chatbook instead of instagramming it first, I have been able to instagram way less. (I still do, but I like not having to post everything I want in my book.) Because seriously, chatbooks are the best.
ReplyDeleteI have to say I gave up my smart phone last November when we switched phone providers after a big move. I haven't missed it except for the texting and maps, haha. I was so inspired after you posted about your experience that it gave me the courage to answer the question, "What lack I yet" that was asked in a wonderful conference talk! I had been feeling the nudge to get rid of the phone because I was too addicted and used it as a way to "tune out" when I needed a breather from my small kids. I realized though that me staring at a phone was sending my kids the wrong message. It has been so enlightening to be at the library or park or on walks and see all the moms absorbed in their phones and completely missing the moment with their precious children! It has been eye opening for me and such a blessing. I'm happier and more content. So thank you for sharing your journey with me! I really appreciate it! I'm debating getting a phone again because a new calling I have seems to have me texting a lot and I do miss the group texting with my family so we'll see what happens in a few months! You are awesome! Thanks for sharing your blog with the world!
ReplyDeletethanks for your comment, M'Lisa! i'm glad to hear that taking a break from your smart phone has helped you, too.
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