Easier said than done ... at first. But there are good reasons to embrace intermittent fasting with our devices. Here's a protocol I'm trying — and tips to make it work.
Love the intermittent fasting term! I just completed Jonathan haidt’s book “the anxious generation” which really dives deep on the impact smartphones and social media has on kids and it’s time I need to give your suggestion a try.
I also used that clearspace app that Michael Easter suggested a while ago and it worked really well in helping me limit app use, now I need to find an app that only allows me to make and receive phone calls and nothing else (am sure there is one out there somewhere).
You might like to listen to the interview Ezra Klein just did with writer Zadie Smith. They talk extensively about why she chooses not to have a smartphone.
Good plan. I started tapping the brakes on my cell phone use after I heard someone refer it as “the black rectangle of anxiety”, but it’ll be better to have a framework like this.
First, thanks for the thought provoking post. I love the idea of an intermittent technology fast.
Another problem I’ve discovered with my use of tech is that I struggle to hold focus. I used to engage with a book for hours. Now I’m lucky to go for a solid 15 minutes without the need to check something. Help!
Totally empathize and relate. The minute I started feeling phantom vibrations on my wrist when I wasn't wearing my Apple Watch, I knew I had to ditch the Apple Watch! I think the focus comes back when we detach. Thanks for the note.
Love the intermittent fasting term! I just completed Jonathan haidt’s book “the anxious generation” which really dives deep on the impact smartphones and social media has on kids and it’s time I need to give your suggestion a try.
I'll check out that book. Meantime, let me know how it goes here with your own device fasting.
I also used that clearspace app that Michael Easter suggested a while ago and it worked really well in helping me limit app use, now I need to find an app that only allows me to make and receive phone calls and nothing else (am sure there is one out there somewhere).
You might like to listen to the interview Ezra Klein just did with writer Zadie Smith. They talk extensively about why she chooses not to have a smartphone.
Tks! Will look for that.
Good plan. I started tapping the brakes on my cell phone use after I heard someone refer it as “the black rectangle of anxiety”, but it’ll be better to have a framework like this.
Thanks. And I'm going to actually adopt "the black rectangle of anxiety" into my discourse. Good trade! Keep us posted on how it goes.
First, thanks for the thought provoking post. I love the idea of an intermittent technology fast.
Another problem I’ve discovered with my use of tech is that I struggle to hold focus. I used to engage with a book for hours. Now I’m lucky to go for a solid 15 minutes without the need to check something. Help!
Totally empathize and relate. The minute I started feeling phantom vibrations on my wrist when I wasn't wearing my Apple Watch, I knew I had to ditch the Apple Watch! I think the focus comes back when we detach. Thanks for the note.