With the transition into the summer months, I know I am going to have a lot of free time on my hands. But there is no worse feeling than realizing I have wasted a beautiful day looking at my phone, my laptop, or watching TV. Keeping this in mind, I have been learning to lower my screen time.
It’s been a process for sure, but definitely worth it. I used to spend up to 5-6 hours daily looking at my phone, and even more time watching Netflix and working on my computer. Here is how I got it down to a manageable 2-3 hours daily.
Do Not Disturb
If you’re texting me, and I haven’t responded, there is a 99% chance that I turned my phone on Do Not Disturb. Honestly, when it comes to my screen time, it has been a real lifesaver. There are many nonsense notifications that I get on my phone from apps like Instagram and Snapchat that are just trying to lure me back into the app.
I check my phone eventually of course, but scrolling endlessly is a lot easier to put an end to when I don’t have the constant reminder to come back to the app.
Planning
Investing in a good planner has been beneficial for me in many aspects of my life. It can feel really fulfilling when I complete everything on my to-do list. Sticking to a busy schedule and planning my days out keeps me from forgetting about my responsibilities and losing track of time online.
Goodreads
One thing that I feel has helped me tremendously is downloading an app. Kind of ironic, isn’t it? More specifically, I’ve downloaded the Goodreads app.
A few months ago, my friend Abby suggested I download the Goodreads app because she had loved it so much, and I said I had wanted to read more in the new year. With the app, I can set goals and set books aside, in a ‘want to read’ list. I can also see what my friends are reading, it has a social aspect to it which is nice. Unlike other social media, though, I don’t sit for hours scrolling through Goodreads because the whole purpose of the app is to read books.
It also gives me a feeling of accomplishment that I don’t receive after scrolling for hours online.
Hobbies
Picking up some of my hobbies also gives me that sense of accomplishment. I’ll try to learn a new song on the guitar or journal about my week rather than staring aimlessly at my screens.
I would also recommend getting exercise, going to the gym, or even just a walk-through campus. The intensity of a good work out and some fresh air are great distractions from the incessant need to reach for my phone.
Challenging Myself
One of the most effective methods I have found is not looking at my phone when I get up. Waking up, I must make the conscious decision not to check social media. This is more difficult than I thought it would be, to simply turn off my alarm and go make breakfast. From that point on, I try to see how long I can go without checking it.
Most days I will be a little easier on myself limiting the challenge to certain apps. For example, I spend the majority of my time on TikTok. So, I’ll check the weather, my messages from family and friends, and turn on some music. I check apps where there is little to no chance that I will get distracted from my day.
It’s a process and not every day is the same. But the effort is important, and this process has left me more satisfied with life.