Quick Question with Francesca Phillips

Introducing a new interview series from Break Free from the Internet

Today, I’m introducing a new series called “Quick Question” where I interview different people from all types of backgrounds on their own relationship with technology, social media, and their smartphones (or lack thereof). We are all on our own unique journey, it’s so valuable to hear how others navigate the sometimes murky waters we’re swimming in. I hope you enjoy!

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One incredible perk of the internet? The ease with which you can create your own business on your own terms. The opportunities are truly endless. You have all the tools at your fingertips. Entrepreneurs and creatives are more empowered than ever before.

On the flip side — creating your own thing can feel overwhelming, it can be isolating, and staying focused can feel insurmountable. Enter Francesca Phillips of The Good Space. Francesca helps entrepreneurs and creatives who are feeling “stuck” get out of their rut and stay inspired. She’s immensely inspiring, incredibly positive, and she provides insights that work.

What I especially love about Francesca is she doesn’t prescribe to the “Girlboss” mantra of the 2010’s. It’s often about doing less, which is how she first came on my radar.

Without further ado, welcome to Quick Question with Francesca Phillips.

You write a lot about productivity, about how we have been taught that we need to be busy to be successful, yet the reality is that our bodies require rest and grace. Is there a simple mindset shift to tap into this idea?

Yes! The biggest mindset shift is remembering there are two sides to productivity. We forget because the world only celebrates one: growth, output, and doing. In a culture built on capitalism, productivity is treated like a means to an end—more work, more profit.

But when you peel that away, there’s this whole other side to productivity that’s equally powerful: rest, recovery, and regeneration. And when you include that side, something magical happens. Your capacity expands. Your creativity sharpens. Ideas flow more easily. Ironically, it makes you better at the work our culture values most.

But honestly? There’s value in creating and existing just for yourself, your family, or your joy no output required. That’s its own kind of success. A piece of your life no one else can own or commodify.

This is a definition I’m still learning to live into. Capitalism is in my bones, like it is for most of us, so I still feel guilt or anxiety when I rest. But in those moments, I remind myself: there are two sides. Regeneration is productive. And usually? Resting makes everything else easier. Things get done faster. Ideas come effortlessly. It always evens out.

You’ve made a lot of strides in your own personal phone use – you recently shared that your goal is to stay under 3 hours of daily screentime. Yet, your business is largely online. You have a TikTok, an Instagram, a Podcast, a Substack. How do you balance the work that requires your phone without slipping into bad habits?

Such a great question! I actually see boundaries as the way we create balance — especially in a world that’s always pulling at our attention.

When people talk about balance, I often picture someone juggling a hundred spinning plates, trying not to let any of them crash. But boundaries are what allow us to set some of those plates down completely. They’re the practical, tangible way we protect what matters most.

For me, the wake-up call was realizing how much of my attention — my most valuable resource — was being spent on my phone. And not just spent, but given away to platforms designed to profit off of it. Even more alarming was noticing how hard it became to hear my own thoughts after too much scrolling.

That’s when I got really clear: What actually matters to me right now? What kind of life do I want to live — online and offline?

I realized social media wasn’t aligned with my current priorities. So I paused TikTok, Instagram, and even my podcast. I started experimenting with SEO and email — methods that allow me to create without being tethered to my phone all day.

When I am online, I create as much as possible on my laptop — writing posts, planning content, drafting captions. And I have a pretty hard rule for myself: no scrolling. I only open social apps to post or engage intentionally.

Of course, I slip sometimes (we all do). But because my boundaries are so clear and rooted in what I care about, I’ve taken back something really precious: my attention, my creativity, and my peace of mind.

What do you think is the biggest challenge for new creators who want to get their voice out, but they don’t want to be overly immersed in social media?

I think the biggest challenge is trusting yourself enough to build your creative life differently.

It’s so easy to believe there’s only one right way — especially online. For a long time, I forced myself to show up on social media even though every part of me knew it wasn’t the best fit. Meanwhile, SEO and long-form writing (like on Medium at the time) were quietly working in the background.

But social media was shinier. Louder. It felt like the way to grow — so I doubted myself.

My advice? Pay attention to the breadcrumbs. What’s working without force? What feels like you? Follow that — even if no one else around you is. Even if it’s quieter. Even if it’s slower. It might be exactly what sets you apart.

Do you think you’ll always have a relationship with social media or do you see a world where you ever let it all go?

Oof — such a layered question. I’ve typed, deleted, and re-typed this answer a few times already (classic overthinker energy).

I think I’ll always have some relationship with social media — but I want it to be on my terms.

A dream version of my business looks like writing, speaking, connecting in person, and escaping to a quiet beach house for a week every quarter to think and create offline.

But if social media ever becomes the best or clearest way to reach the women I’m meant to serve — I’d want to show up. Not out of obligation, but because I care about them.

I also think about my daughter. She’ll never know a world without social media, and part of me wants to stay aware of it so I can guide her through it when the time comes.

Still, there’s a rebellious part of me that would love to see social media go the way of smoking — once wildly popular, now increasingly questioned. We’ll see.

I’ve seen a big shift in people’s attitudes towards social media and in general, our screentime. Have you noticed the same? Do you think this is just a trend or do you expect this is the beginning of a new era?

I hope this is the beginning of a new era.

The more of us who model a different way of living — one where our attention belongs to us — the more permission others will feel to do the same. That’s how real change happens. Quietly. Personally. Collectively.

But I’ll be honest: while I’ve noticed people’s attitudes shifting, I haven’t seen their habits shift as much. That part’s harder. And sometimes I wonder if I’m in a tiny bubble of people who care about this.

If enough of us keep living it — showing what’s possible — that’s how new eras begin.

Anything to add?

Just this: your attention is your greatest power. It’s what every platform, every brand, every algorithm wants from you. But you get to decide where it goes.

If you want to change the world — or even just your own life — start there.

Place your attention where it matters most. Protect it fiercely. Regeneration and rest are acts of rebellion in a world that measures worth by output.

Rebel anyway. Take back your thoughts. Your creativity. Your energy.

You’re not here to be a cog in someone else’s machine. You’re here to be wildly, wonderfully human.

You can find Francesca on Substack, Instagram, and TikTok.

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An extra big thank you to Francesca for being the first guest on Quick Question. I’ve love to hear from you in the comment section what you think or if you have any suggestions for future guests!