I thought about dumbphones for a while, but found that simply deleting all the apps on my phone that were toys / sources of stress was enough. Now the phone feels like a boring tool. I get to check my texts and make calls, but I'm not using it to track anything really.
Try telling this to r/dumbphones though. That sub used to be more friendly to qualms or any methods like yours. Now they're a cult. Sadly, cult like and dismissive behavior has been infesting almost every
"digital detox" community and blog. Not here though, thank goodness.
Sad to hear. But it seems like that's what happens when people find "The Way". If you have to cling to your answer, you're probably still stuck somewhere else.
A lot of subreddits/digital communities around very niche things like this seem to strike me the wrong way, too. Like that you have to need it seems like you're just replacing one addiction with another. The underlying issue is not actually getting resolved. Getting a dumbphone making someone inadvertently more online by pinning them into a digital community is not any better than having a smartphone imo.
So I won't tell it to r/dumbphones. It can be our little secret.
Always good to have a rational and balanced discussion about this. Some say that dumbphones are the “be all end all” and it’s just not true. We need our phones for positive and practical and reasons (or for work/business).
The problem is not everyone in this worldview feel the same way. As I said to Benji, try sharing this to r/dumbphones. That sub used to be more friendly to qualms/methods/considerations like yours. Now they're a cult. Sadly, cult like and dismissive behavior has been infesting almost every "digital detox" community and blog. They become out of touch with reality. They are alarmingly anti-social. They become like wolves whenever they find someone using a phone.
Behavior and rhetoric like I’m describing are counterproductive. I can safely say that it will never be found here, thank goodness.
basically, we can make life good with tech, by following methods and resources like this blog.
Thanks Ryan. You're right, as with any subreddit, it can always get dicey. I like the detailed reviews folks share of the different dumbphones, but there's definitely the notion that having one is the "only way," when of course, it will look different for everyone.
I agree with you. Before making the decision to replace our smartphone to a dumbphone, the people need to understand and make decisions about some of the things that smartphones provide us, because smartphones have made our lives much easier and saved us time on many of our daily tasks. Just the fact that you don't have to go to the bank to pay your bill is a huge help. I also believe that if a person really wants to use a smartphone but cuts out bad habits, they can do so without having to replace their smartphone, just by re-educating themselves on how to use the tools it provides.
Would be interested to see if others are using the 'clearspace app' as an option as well.
It helps me a good bit and is assisting to 'break free from the internet' but it is not perfect by any means and occasionally has the opposite intended effect of mindfulness, as the social media controls can be overridden.
As people smarter than myself say- progress not perfection but would be great to hear from others how they are using it.
Yeah, I think that app blockers can be a really good tool for people! I use ScreenZen and it has helped me immensely. You're right, they aren't perfect, but I think combined with willpower, a positive mindset, and some powerful intention, they can be a really good way to coexist with your smartphone.
I thought about dumbphones for a while, but found that simply deleting all the apps on my phone that were toys / sources of stress was enough. Now the phone feels like a boring tool. I get to check my texts and make calls, but I'm not using it to track anything really.
Try telling this to r/dumbphones though. That sub used to be more friendly to qualms or any methods like yours. Now they're a cult. Sadly, cult like and dismissive behavior has been infesting almost every
"digital detox" community and blog. Not here though, thank goodness.
Sad to hear. But it seems like that's what happens when people find "The Way". If you have to cling to your answer, you're probably still stuck somewhere else.
A lot of subreddits/digital communities around very niche things like this seem to strike me the wrong way, too. Like that you have to need it seems like you're just replacing one addiction with another. The underlying issue is not actually getting resolved. Getting a dumbphone making someone inadvertently more online by pinning them into a digital community is not any better than having a smartphone imo.
So I won't tell it to r/dumbphones. It can be our little secret.
🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
Always good to have a rational and balanced discussion about this. Some say that dumbphones are the “be all end all” and it’s just not true. We need our phones for positive and practical and reasons (or for work/business).
The problem is not everyone in this worldview feel the same way. As I said to Benji, try sharing this to r/dumbphones. That sub used to be more friendly to qualms/methods/considerations like yours. Now they're a cult. Sadly, cult like and dismissive behavior has been infesting almost every "digital detox" community and blog. They become out of touch with reality. They are alarmingly anti-social. They become like wolves whenever they find someone using a phone.
Behavior and rhetoric like I’m describing are counterproductive. I can safely say that it will never be found here, thank goodness.
basically, we can make life good with tech, by following methods and resources like this blog.
Thanks Ryan. You're right, as with any subreddit, it can always get dicey. I like the detailed reviews folks share of the different dumbphones, but there's definitely the notion that having one is the "only way," when of course, it will look different for everyone.
I agree with you. Before making the decision to replace our smartphone to a dumbphone, the people need to understand and make decisions about some of the things that smartphones provide us, because smartphones have made our lives much easier and saved us time on many of our daily tasks. Just the fact that you don't have to go to the bank to pay your bill is a huge help. I also believe that if a person really wants to use a smartphone but cuts out bad habits, they can do so without having to replace their smartphone, just by re-educating themselves on how to use the tools it provides.
I can’t imagine all the bank trips I’d have to make without my phone!
You’re so right, the mindset is huge.
telephone banking exists 😉
too inconvenient for my business sadly.
that most certainly makes sense! for those not doing business, an option 😌
Would be interested to see if others are using the 'clearspace app' as an option as well.
It helps me a good bit and is assisting to 'break free from the internet' but it is not perfect by any means and occasionally has the opposite intended effect of mindfulness, as the social media controls can be overridden.
As people smarter than myself say- progress not perfection but would be great to hear from others how they are using it.
Yeah, I think that app blockers can be a really good tool for people! I use ScreenZen and it has helped me immensely. You're right, they aren't perfect, but I think combined with willpower, a positive mindset, and some powerful intention, they can be a really good way to coexist with your smartphone.