I have gone offline for 24 hours twice, and learned how everything is done on my phone. So I have since bought an alarm clock that plugs into the wall, a CD player, I actually got a landline phone so friends can reach me. When I was offline, I realized I had a big draw to go outside, whereas when I am online, I can hardly tear myself off the couch away from my screens. I'm so happy to find someone else wanting to be offline too.
A few years ago I decided to switch to a flip phone for a year! It’s almost like I could feel my brain’s dopamine receptors and chemistry change. You’ve inspired me to do a phone changed to the wall experiment :)
I am a professor (one of the dangerous kinds) and planning an OFFLINE class for the spring. Thanks for this resource. <3 PS I love your phone chain design.
love this blog and idea! I've done a few experiments myself (flip phone, lock box, etc.) and my favourite part is people (or me) not being able to change plans.
I am truly inspired by this. I just moved to a new state so I don’t feel safe leaving my phone as I have no idea where I am and without a printer to print directions. That being said, my family is going to purchase the bloom lock device. Not quite the same but a step in the right direction. Thank you for the inspiration
I feel a strong urge to do the same but also an overwhelming anxiety when thinking about the logistics. Uninstalled Instagram and Township in the meantime...
i felt the same when i started this! i feel like I had to be much more meticulous with my planning (give friends heads up, tell them that they absolutely cannot flake on me...) but all in all it makes me more intentional. That isn't to say that not knowing if my friends knew which part of the park i wanted to meet at isn't the most anxiety inducing thing ever !!
This is exactly the type of writing and content that I joined substack for and the type of writing I aim to create myself! Loved this so much 👏🏼 from a new subscriber ✨
I’m so happy to find your Substack! I’m also experimenting new analog ways to exist since a terrible burnout in June - I’ve started my journey buying an old Gameboy and playing it instead of using my phone while taking the bus to work. I hope to read more about your journey as it inspired me to try to write a little more about mine. Cheers!
When I moved out to the country there was no internet or phone reception for probably at least a month. One thing I noticed was that without scrolling constantly the days seem 10x longer. It felt like I could get so much more done in one day. I also felt acutely aware of my senses and internal dialogue. I almost felt PSYCHIC. Just so much more aware than normal. I miss this feeling. It's wild to think that my screen time has been up to 6 hours a day sometimes. When I could've used that time to do literally anything else.
For a little over a year now, the thought of quitting social media, deleting my accounts entirely, and getting an old phone has been echoing in my mind. My only social media presence is Twitter, and I'm a little hesitant to delete it. My year-end goal is to be social media-free. I really liked your article. It helped me with my decision-making process. :)
Just discovered you and your blog thru a reel and have taken the great pleasure of reading a few articles :))) i am a fan!!
oh thank you so much!!! so happy this resonates :)
I have gone offline for 24 hours twice, and learned how everything is done on my phone. So I have since bought an alarm clock that plugs into the wall, a CD player, I actually got a landline phone so friends can reach me. When I was offline, I realized I had a big draw to go outside, whereas when I am online, I can hardly tear myself off the couch away from my screens. I'm so happy to find someone else wanting to be offline too.
seeing clips online of children begging to be inside (having been a child who begged to go outside) is such an interesting switch up
hungarian pastry shop mention ?!
the one and only
A few years ago I decided to switch to a flip phone for a year! It’s almost like I could feel my brain’s dopamine receptors and chemistry change. You’ve inspired me to do a phone changed to the wall experiment :)
Please report back!
I will!
I am a professor (one of the dangerous kinds) and planning an OFFLINE class for the spring. Thanks for this resource. <3 PS I love your phone chain design.
thank you for the kind words!! it's actually just a belt i rarely wear... could this be considered upcycling???
def upcycling!
I’d love for you to do it a whole month and compare how you feel, your mindset and quality of life after
for sure!! i wonder if i'd get rid of my phone altogether by the end...
Yeah! We did survive once before without mobile phones and I’m sure we could do it again
I do this, too! It really helps!
love this blog and idea! I've done a few experiments myself (flip phone, lock box, etc.) and my favourite part is people (or me) not being able to change plans.
I love the weight of social commitments without technology
I am truly inspired by this. I just moved to a new state so I don’t feel safe leaving my phone as I have no idea where I am and without a printer to print directions. That being said, my family is going to purchase the bloom lock device. Not quite the same but a step in the right direction. Thank you for the inspiration
Thank you for the kind words!!! If anything - after chaining my phone I started consciously leaving it in separate rooms (kind of did the job)
I feel a strong urge to do the same but also an overwhelming anxiety when thinking about the logistics. Uninstalled Instagram and Township in the meantime...
i felt the same when i started this! i feel like I had to be much more meticulous with my planning (give friends heads up, tell them that they absolutely cannot flake on me...) but all in all it makes me more intentional. That isn't to say that not knowing if my friends knew which part of the park i wanted to meet at isn't the most anxiety inducing thing ever !!
This is exactly the type of writing and content that I joined substack for and the type of writing I aim to create myself! Loved this so much 👏🏼 from a new subscriber ✨
thank you for the kind words :') this really means so much!!! excited to see what you write
Thank you! I would love for you to check out any of my past and writing and let me know what you think :') Im so new to substack and i LOVE it here
Omg ofc!
I’m so happy to find your Substack! I’m also experimenting new analog ways to exist since a terrible burnout in June - I’ve started my journey buying an old Gameboy and playing it instead of using my phone while taking the bus to work. I hope to read more about your journey as it inspired me to try to write a little more about mine. Cheers!
that's wonderful! all this (for me) came from a long streak of burnout as well — maybe I'll scour ebay for a gameboy...
this is a great idea - I also decided to try switching to another device instead of looking at my phone...my kindle! I've read so many more books!
Can you say more about how you attached the chain to your phone? I love this idea and the visual of the physical chain
Um very cool concept... but also, where did get that chain?
When I moved out to the country there was no internet or phone reception for probably at least a month. One thing I noticed was that without scrolling constantly the days seem 10x longer. It felt like I could get so much more done in one day. I also felt acutely aware of my senses and internal dialogue. I almost felt PSYCHIC. Just so much more aware than normal. I miss this feeling. It's wild to think that my screen time has been up to 6 hours a day sometimes. When I could've used that time to do literally anything else.
For a little over a year now, the thought of quitting social media, deleting my accounts entirely, and getting an old phone has been echoing in my mind. My only social media presence is Twitter, and I'm a little hesitant to delete it. My year-end goal is to be social media-free. I really liked your article. It helped me with my decision-making process. :)