I'm pretty sure it was your book How to Not Always be Working that gave me the idea to make a "ceremonial" box to put my phone in when I wanted it out of sight and out of mind. Was it? At any rate, it worked for me at the time, when I was deep into a big project and preparing for an art exhibit a few years back. I collaged a box, and though I haven't used it in a while it's still there in my studio. I think I'd better pull it out again!
I was looking at instagram when I got the notification of this post from Substack 😖 I have all the same feelings and yet I still find it so hard to deactivate, but I am moving closer to that direction thanks to you and your continued honestly about the addiction that is social media 💙 now to figure out how to turn my phone on grayscale!
One thing that is so nice to remember is you can deactivate and re-login ten minutes later if you need to. Like to me deactivating is great because you can REALLY feel what it is like to not be there, even if you only do it for an hour. It's nice to give yourself the time to feel what it's like to be gone. At least that has been true for me :)
Thank you so much for the recommendation re: the Brick app -- was looking for something like that. So curious about Are.na and Sublime so that will demand further research on my end -- already on/off Pinterest for the past thousand years (or so it feels). Also, CONGRATS ON THE BOOK omg I will be buying it for myself for my birthday (next week)! So stoked.
My hyper fixation the last couple of weeks has been Threads after barely using social media as of late and I realized how it's not filling my cup so I could definitely use a re-centering tool like this. Thanks again for sharing :)
Gosh, the same 😢 I downloaded threads last week and was thinking yesterday that I’m getting myself into another addictive app haha But honestly, these tech companies spend loads of money to get us hooked; no self-discipline in the world can help us combat this these days. I’m doing a bit of research at the moment on “attention” to write a post about it, and none of us should be harsh on ourselves for not being able to stay away from these apps. So I’m all for apps that support me in combating this.
I love not being on IG. It's been almost a year since I stepped away—only posting once in March to announce something. That's when I knew it would be a 1000% permanent thing. It felt wrong to even check for likes or comments. I wonder how I had time to keep up with it.
This Are.na thing is cool, though! Just got myself one too! Following you now. :) Seems like a nice way to add some things then step away if I want. I don't miss the social media grind and hustle and bustle and filters and facade. I have found myself in a much healthier place since having stepped away.
I logged out of Instagram after 13 years this week. When I go to it I want the connection of 2014 not the barrage of 2024. I DMed a handful of people I would miss outside the app, swapped contact info, and pointed people to my newsletter and Patreon. It feels right.
Why is it taking the world so long to make a phone that meets our needs without the stuff we don't want! We've been at this for a while you and me and everyone!
I love how you openly experiment with ways to confront phone/social media addiction. the reflection you often offer has created an opening for my own experiments in it. I appreciate you.
I'm pretty sure it was your book How to Not Always be Working that gave me the idea to make a "ceremonial" box to put my phone in when I wanted it out of sight and out of mind. Was it? At any rate, it worked for me at the time, when I was deep into a big project and preparing for an art exhibit a few years back. I collaged a box, and though I haven't used it in a while it's still there in my studio. I think I'd better pull it out again!
yesssss i love this!
I was looking at instagram when I got the notification of this post from Substack 😖 I have all the same feelings and yet I still find it so hard to deactivate, but I am moving closer to that direction thanks to you and your continued honestly about the addiction that is social media 💙 now to figure out how to turn my phone on grayscale!
One thing that is so nice to remember is you can deactivate and re-login ten minutes later if you need to. Like to me deactivating is great because you can REALLY feel what it is like to not be there, even if you only do it for an hour. It's nice to give yourself the time to feel what it's like to be gone. At least that has been true for me :)
hey I got you. you can decide what that means but you know where to find me xo
🥲
here 🤍
Thank you so much for the recommendation re: the Brick app -- was looking for something like that. So curious about Are.na and Sublime so that will demand further research on my end -- already on/off Pinterest for the past thousand years (or so it feels). Also, CONGRATS ON THE BOOK omg I will be buying it for myself for my birthday (next week)! So stoked.
I would also highly recommend this Opal app. I use it daily https://www.opal.so/
Been curious about that one! I'll check it out, thank you Tuğba!
I've been using it for a year, and it really is the best. I block messaging and social media apps in the morning to focus.
My hyper fixation the last couple of weeks has been Threads after barely using social media as of late and I realized how it's not filling my cup so I could definitely use a re-centering tool like this. Thanks again for sharing :)
Gosh, the same 😢 I downloaded threads last week and was thinking yesterday that I’m getting myself into another addictive app haha But honestly, these tech companies spend loads of money to get us hooked; no self-discipline in the world can help us combat this these days. I’m doing a bit of research at the moment on “attention” to write a post about it, and none of us should be harsh on ourselves for not being able to stay away from these apps. So I’m all for apps that support me in combating this.
That makes me feel better! Can’t wait to read that post!
I love not being on IG. It's been almost a year since I stepped away—only posting once in March to announce something. That's when I knew it would be a 1000% permanent thing. It felt wrong to even check for likes or comments. I wonder how I had time to keep up with it.
This Are.na thing is cool, though! Just got myself one too! Following you now. :) Seems like a nice way to add some things then step away if I want. I don't miss the social media grind and hustle and bustle and filters and facade. I have found myself in a much healthier place since having stepped away.
I logged out of Instagram after 13 years this week. When I go to it I want the connection of 2014 not the barrage of 2024. I DMed a handful of people I would miss outside the app, swapped contact info, and pointed people to my newsletter and Patreon. It feels right.
Hell yah
Why is it taking the world so long to make a phone that meets our needs without the stuff we don't want! We've been at this for a while you and me and everyone!
RIGHT! Like ..... I understand the Light Phone but .... give me a phone with iMessage and no apps ever :)
I just heard about Are.na yesterday and so cool to see it mentioned here. So
I simply love it :)
I love how you openly experiment with ways to confront phone/social media addiction. the reflection you often offer has created an opening for my own experiments in it. I appreciate you.
Oh that makes me so happy :) It can feel a bit chaotic sometimes but, it's real!