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.
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.
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).
I must admit I just skimmed this post when I first read it. I just went back and read it more carefully. Gwendolyn makes some excellent points here.
There’s a tool I use it might be helpful to some. I use cards from a company called ugmonk. Every morning before looking at any screens, I use the card to write what I want to accomplish this day. There’s also a card for later, for those things you need to accomplish but know you’re not going get done that day. I then mediate for 10 minutes using Sam Harris‘s Waking Up app. This is 10 minutes I spend trying to meditate but find myself thinking of other things I need to add to today’s list and the later list… At least for me, writing something down rather than in into an electronic to-do list seems to work better.
Geoffrey, no disrespect intended. I agree with your intention, but it is funny that we want an app to do everything including not using apps. I’m assuming the phone is an app on our smart devices here. We do have willpower or discipline. I live where it’s easy to head out into the wilderness well beyond the reach of cellular networks. I do admit to using an app to assist with navigation, but the freedom of being away from constant notifications calls, etc. is wonderful. I think it helps me not be so dependent on my smart phone when I am within reach. There’s lots of good reasons to go out in the wilderness, being detached from the Internet is only one of many. If you get the chance, I recommend it to anyone.
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.
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.
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.
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).
I must admit I just skimmed this post when I first read it. I just went back and read it more carefully. Gwendolyn makes some excellent points here.
There’s a tool I use it might be helpful to some. I use cards from a company called ugmonk. Every morning before looking at any screens, I use the card to write what I want to accomplish this day. There’s also a card for later, for those things you need to accomplish but know you’re not going get done that day. I then mediate for 10 minutes using Sam Harris‘s Waking Up app. This is 10 minutes I spend trying to meditate but find myself thinking of other things I need to add to today’s list and the later list… At least for me, writing something down rather than in into an electronic to-do list seems to work better.
Geoffrey, no disrespect intended. I agree with your intention, but it is funny that we want an app to do everything including not using apps. I’m assuming the phone is an app on our smart devices here. We do have willpower or discipline. I live where it’s easy to head out into the wilderness well beyond the reach of cellular networks. I do admit to using an app to assist with navigation, but the freedom of being away from constant notifications calls, etc. is wonderful. I think it helps me not be so dependent on my smart phone when I am within reach. There’s lots of good reasons to go out in the wilderness, being detached from the Internet is only one of many. If you get the chance, I recommend it to anyone.
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.
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.