This is a tiny thing but I bought a CD player on eBay (the same BOSE one my grandmother had--surprisingly affordable) for my bedroom. I have a cute little basket of CDs next to it! No need for my phone to play music in my room!
Ooh, I bought a CD player at a garage sale this summer, and I love it! I love listening to the old mix CDs my friends made. My daughter and I decorated it with a bunch of stickers, and now, even when it's not on, it's just so cool to have it in the living room.
Oh my gosh, I was so surprised by the mix of genres in all of my burned CDs— it’d be hip hop, then punk rock, then something folksy acoustic, then screamo. I have no idea what I was doing, but it was hilarious!
Ohhhhh, the way I needed this right now after this past week. I spiraled... it got bad. On Friday, I felt a range of emotions, and then we attended our kids' school for a performance. It was like a breath of fresh air-- real people, happy, clapping, connecting-- like my phone had led me to this dark place where everyone hates everyone, and then just being out in the real world quickly reminded me of how untrue that is.
Enjoying real-life alternatives to my phone has always been the key to success for me. Writing down 5 things from the day that I'm grateful for also helps immensely; it reminds me of what really matters.
Newport really is one of the wisest and smartest people out there.
And YES, being with people IRL, we can extend kindness to one another. Social media isn't real life. In fact, today, I accidentally left my house without my phone (did I conjure that with this post?). After the initial panic, I continued on with errand and meeting. 😮💨
Substack is also social media in my eyes! Getting rid of the app in your phone and muting notifications has saved me hours of scrolling. I'm only allowed on deskstop!
This has been something top of mind for me for such a while now. I've tried a lot -- and found the most success when I delete all apps that have an algorithm from my phone (I did this is March and haven't looked back). I can access all of the ones I'd like from my computer, which just doesn't have the same pull for me. I use them more moderately and less compulsively on my laptop. It has really helped. I think seeing so much information our brain has to process (even video titles on YouTube and ads on Pinterest) that is involuntary is leading to our overwhelming sense of busy and mental exhaustion. I'm still working to try and minimize this!
I also make a lot of things which is very hard to do whilst scrolling! I love the idea of an activity basket! I think this would be really good for me to make and keep in the car!
You're in a better place than I am. GOALS. I agree that the clunkiness of laptop Instagram is life changing. It's just...no fun. And I want my brain back!
Agreed! The clunkiness of laptop Instagram really does snap you out of wanting to be on it! Haha! For me, it's been about taking baby steps that actually stick. So, one big time sucking app at a time, instead of a full sweep.
OK, and now I'll leave a comment to actually add something to the conversation: I use Ghostery's Free Ad Blocker on my laptop which stops tracking and ads which actually messes up a lot of algorithms which makes freeing up your attention a little bit easier AND, on some sites where you have to pay for an ad-free experience (like YouTube), you automatically get an ad-free experience for free.
Obviously this isn't the solution to a scroll-free season, but it definitely helps on the back-end side of things.
Digital Minimalism needs to be an annual reread. Or maybe quarterly, as I obviously need constant reminders to get back on track. I do own his "Slow Productivity" which I just pulled back out.
I need it for myself, and to keep me on track! It's a constant battle for all of us. We are all in this together--we want more from our lives, but the pull is strong.
So crazy to read this because Monday is my birthday and I’ve been day dreaming about going analog so much I’ve looked at iPods, pocket note books, the works! I have so much to look forward to this year like my wedding and honey moon and family reunion but I don’t wanna be scrolling! So this weekend I’m buying disposable cameras and cds and hopefully a cam recorder from a thrift shop and spending my 2026 not scrolling but living life
My phone is also slowly dying, I have been looking for a good switch to something a little "dumber."
As for watching, movies have always been one of the things that people try to completely cut out when talking about screens. This always felt unaligned for me as a huge lover of cinema, so if anyone is trying to cut their screen time but wants to watch movies I suggest buying DVD's. I get mine from thrifting or used bookstores and nothing is more rewarding than finally finding a certain DVD you are looking for!!! Cancel your subscriptions and start building your own physical media library .
I recently did a three-day detox from my phone, and the main thing it taught me was that I didn't miss it as much as I thought I would. I didn't really need it, and I quickly found alternatives for the things I thought I needed it for.
Turns out a phone is just a cold lump of steel when you remove the emotional element.
- the Opal App (I know, I know, another app) but I’ve set it to just lock me out - nothing available on my phone after 8pm (no social, no email, no browser, no news apps)
- my old phone was taking a long time to die… finally got a new one and didn’t install social on the new one. The old one stays at home for my kids to use for “learning media” (simply draw, simply piano, Duolingo, etc) and I can see socials during a 3 hour window in the evening.
I still find ways to scroll (substack is a new rabbit hole for me) but I’m smart enough to celebrate wins when I get them!
I am right there with you but I found this article by scrolling on substack, so I think we are all a little hypocritical. I think substack is getting to be more like Facebook and instagram everyday 🙁
Needed this today!
This is a tiny thing but I bought a CD player on eBay (the same BOSE one my grandmother had--surprisingly affordable) for my bedroom. I have a cute little basket of CDs next to it! No need for my phone to play music in my room!
Ooh, I bought a CD player at a garage sale this summer, and I love it! I love listening to the old mix CDs my friends made. My daughter and I decorated it with a bunch of stickers, and now, even when it's not on, it's just so cool to have it in the living room.
Strong agree. Strongly seconding this!
"Burning CDs" used to be quite a hobby of mine. My husband just found a few, and we laughed listening to some of my 2000s favorites.
Oh my gosh, I was so surprised by the mix of genres in all of my burned CDs— it’d be hip hop, then punk rock, then something folksy acoustic, then screamo. I have no idea what I was doing, but it was hilarious!
Oh I love this!!
You’ve inspired me to do the same!
I couldn't love this anymore.
I loved this! I took off social media the whole month of June and felt so free. This encouraged me to try again and live more present.
Impressive! I still lurk on my laptop. But getting it off the phone is the first big step. Yes, my mind clears!
Ohhhhh, the way I needed this right now after this past week. I spiraled... it got bad. On Friday, I felt a range of emotions, and then we attended our kids' school for a performance. It was like a breath of fresh air-- real people, happy, clapping, connecting-- like my phone had led me to this dark place where everyone hates everyone, and then just being out in the real world quickly reminded me of how untrue that is.
Enjoying real-life alternatives to my phone has always been the key to success for me. Writing down 5 things from the day that I'm grateful for also helps immensely; it reminds me of what really matters.
That Cal Newport advice-- solid gold.
Newport really is one of the wisest and smartest people out there.
And YES, being with people IRL, we can extend kindness to one another. Social media isn't real life. In fact, today, I accidentally left my house without my phone (did I conjure that with this post?). After the initial panic, I continued on with errand and meeting. 😮💨
Substack is also social media in my eyes! Getting rid of the app in your phone and muting notifications has saved me hours of scrolling. I'm only allowed on deskstop!
FREEING.
This has been something top of mind for me for such a while now. I've tried a lot -- and found the most success when I delete all apps that have an algorithm from my phone (I did this is March and haven't looked back). I can access all of the ones I'd like from my computer, which just doesn't have the same pull for me. I use them more moderately and less compulsively on my laptop. It has really helped. I think seeing so much information our brain has to process (even video titles on YouTube and ads on Pinterest) that is involuntary is leading to our overwhelming sense of busy and mental exhaustion. I'm still working to try and minimize this!
I also make a lot of things which is very hard to do whilst scrolling! I love the idea of an activity basket! I think this would be really good for me to make and keep in the car!
You're in a better place than I am. GOALS. I agree that the clunkiness of laptop Instagram is life changing. It's just...no fun. And I want my brain back!
Agreed! The clunkiness of laptop Instagram really does snap you out of wanting to be on it! Haha! For me, it's been about taking baby steps that actually stick. So, one big time sucking app at a time, instead of a full sweep.
OK, and now I'll leave a comment to actually add something to the conversation: I use Ghostery's Free Ad Blocker on my laptop which stops tracking and ads which actually messes up a lot of algorithms which makes freeing up your attention a little bit easier AND, on some sites where you have to pay for an ad-free experience (like YouTube), you automatically get an ad-free experience for free.
Obviously this isn't the solution to a scroll-free season, but it definitely helps on the back-end side of things.
I'm clueless about these tools to "fight back." This is very helpful.
Cal Newport’s “Digital Minimalism” is a good read on this topic, too!
Digital Minimalism needs to be an annual reread. Or maybe quarterly, as I obviously need constant reminders to get back on track. I do own his "Slow Productivity" which I just pulled back out.
continuing to LOVE this series. Always read and feel encouraged with ways to be away from my phone/screen longer.
I need it for myself, and to keep me on track! It's a constant battle for all of us. We are all in this together--we want more from our lives, but the pull is strong.
Check out the Light Phone for a dumb smartphone alternative that still has directions and music. I’m very intrigued by it!!
I am very interested!
So crazy to read this because Monday is my birthday and I’ve been day dreaming about going analog so much I’ve looked at iPods, pocket note books, the works! I have so much to look forward to this year like my wedding and honey moon and family reunion but I don’t wanna be scrolling! So this weekend I’m buying disposable cameras and cds and hopefully a cam recorder from a thrift shop and spending my 2026 not scrolling but living life
Happy Birthday! And what a great gift to yourself (GO ANALOG as much as possible).
My phone is also slowly dying, I have been looking for a good switch to something a little "dumber."
As for watching, movies have always been one of the things that people try to completely cut out when talking about screens. This always felt unaligned for me as a huge lover of cinema, so if anyone is trying to cut their screen time but wants to watch movies I suggest buying DVD's. I get mine from thrifting or used bookstores and nothing is more rewarding than finally finding a certain DVD you are looking for!!! Cancel your subscriptions and start building your own physical media library .
I want a phone with a blackberry keyboard and room for 5 apps. Can you design that?
I need to plug in our DVD player! It’s just sitting in the cabinet all dusty. Maybe I’ll try to pick a dvd up the library.
Thank you for this!
LOVE this. ❤️
I recently did a three-day detox from my phone, and the main thing it taught me was that I didn't miss it as much as I thought I would. I didn't really need it, and I quickly found alternatives for the things I thought I needed it for.
Turns out a phone is just a cold lump of steel when you remove the emotional element.
Yes! There is more out there. I did a walk today without my phone and I just listened to...birds and my thoughts. WOW. Why is that so novel?
Yes! I now generally only take my phone if I go out for a walk in the car, in case of emergencies.
Two things are working for me:
- the Opal App (I know, I know, another app) but I’ve set it to just lock me out - nothing available on my phone after 8pm (no social, no email, no browser, no news apps)
- my old phone was taking a long time to die… finally got a new one and didn’t install social on the new one. The old one stays at home for my kids to use for “learning media” (simply draw, simply piano, Duolingo, etc) and I can see socials during a 3 hour window in the evening.
I still find ways to scroll (substack is a new rabbit hole for me) but I’m smart enough to celebrate wins when I get them!
I am right there with you but I found this article by scrolling on substack, so I think we are all a little hypocritical. I think substack is getting to be more like Facebook and instagram everyday 🙁
It is 100 percent social media, agreed.