Breaking Up With Your Cell Phone: Take Two

Posted July 31, 2017 by Prairie Wife - 4 comments

Raise your hand if you spend too much time on your cell phone.

It’s OK, you don’t have to put your phone down to do it.

Last year I admitted to spending too much time immersed in the time suck that is my phone.

I even offered some tips that helped me to put it down, ones that didn’t hurt too much but had great results.

Yet here I am, honestly telling you, that lately I’ve been paying more attention to what’s on my phone than what’s going on in the real world.

Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are all a part of my work life. I HAVE to spend a certain amount of time on them promoting this blog and completing other side jobs.

Plus, I LOVE using Facebook to catch up with old friends and as a way to stay in touch with family.

Trouble is, when I head to Facebook to check on friends or post about the blog, I get sidetracked. There are so many sweet videos of children and old people playing, quizzes that I just know will help me to find out my personality strengths, and don’t get me started on all the hilarious mom videos and parodies…

The same thing happens on Instagram (I get so inspired by all the fashion #OOTD posts) and Twitter (oh the trashy celebrity gossip).

Also, I’m a pro at subconsciously avoiding tasks I don’t want to complete…some may call it procrastinating.

Our relaxed Summer schedule, which actually means I’m spending a ton more time out and about rather than at home getting stuff done, means I’ve been really noticing that I need to breakup with my phone.

Over the last two weeks I’ve been trying a few new techniques to keep focused, in addition to making a renewed commitment to what I wrote about in my last post.

Here’s what I’ve found has helped.

I keep my phone on silence and have notifications turned off.
- I still know when I get a call or text with my Fitbit Alta and decided if I need to take care of it immediately.
I’ve been looking at my to do lists and making myself cross off at least two things before I allow myself to pick up my phone.
I sit down at the table and eat each meal (no phone) instead of floating around or eating standing up.
I’ve been plugging my phone in the back bedroom and leaving it there from dinnertime to bedtime.
- I DO take a quick peek after the kids are in bed but no more multi tasking (phone, TV and working on computer).
Once I’m tucked in bed it’s one last look at my phone, and then it’s face down and on sleep mode while I pray and read until lights out.

I think the most important step is admitting I have a problem.

But, I’ve already seen that these tips above have been helping me to be more engaged AND productive.

What helps you to break up with your cell phone?

4 thoughts on "Breaking Up With Your Cell Phone: Take Two"

Bennie says:

July 31, 2017 at 8:11 am

I do some similar things. I tend to keep my phone in my purse other than when it’s charging. This way it’s in there ready to head out and not someplace right next to me. Since I’m crashing at my friend’s place until I can close on my new place I’ve been using my phone as my alarm clock. Other wise I never keep it next to my bed.

Good ideas to get off the addiction of the cell.

Reply
1. Prairie Wife says:
  
  July 31, 2017 at 12:02 pm
  
  Good idea to keep it away from the bedroom! Keep me posted on the new house 😉
  
  Reply