More specifically, how much technology is too much?
Answer: the amount I use.
I am completely guilty of having been that person that has their phone out on the table at dinner time. I’ve definitely scrolled through Instagram and Twitter whilst watching a film on the sofa. Whilst watching a film! Writing that makes me feel like a bit of an idiot. However it’s something we’re all increasingly guilty of.
Now I didn’t set resolutions as such for this year but one thing I did do (in my beloved bullet journal) was to make a list of things I want to do less and more of in 2018.
Almost at the very top of the ‘less’ list was screen time. Whether that be on my phone or iPad I need to seriously rein myself in. I downloaded an app at the start of the year to see how much time a day I was spending on my phone and, honestly, I was disgusted. I was clocking up almost 4 hours a day dicking around on social media, scrolling Pinterest or reading utter rubbish on Buzzfeed.
4 hours is definitely too much.
I’m now planning on leaving my phone downstairs at night, then I can’t reach for a lazy scroll through my various feeds before I drag myself out of bed in the morning. I want to start my day in a way that is more beneficial to my mental health; practising yoga or meditation, or reading a chapter of my current book. Wasting the first 40 minutes of my day staring at a phone screen is not the way forward.
Now I’m not saying I’m going to stop using social media completely or that I’m going to sacrifice my iPhone in favour of one that can’t do anything more than text or call (remember those good old days?) I am, instead, going to be more mindful of how much I use it.
No more mindless scrolling mid film or book.
No more reaching for my phone as soon as I’ve woken up.
I’m hoping it’ll bring me a bit more focus and that I’ll have more time to do the hobbies that I love, and really get back into knitting and sewing (yay for all the Nana hobbies!)
Now I just need an alarm clock to replace my phone in our bedroom. Ideally one that doesn’t tick as Jonny cannot bear ticking clocks. Any ideas where to start looking for one that isn’t hideous? Or any tips on how to regulate my screen time better?
halfway-home.co.uk 
Oh I hear you, I’m dreadful for mindlessly browsing my phone all the time! I’m intrigued by the thought of the app that will tell me just how much I do it…I’m not sure I’m ready for that information! I think putting your phone out of reach is a good first start, weaning yourself off the hobby. Let us know how you get on? Also, I’ve heard so many good things about ‘Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine’, I must pick it up!
C x
http://happygoluckycat.blogspot.co.uk/
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I’ll definitely report back on how I get on using it less. I’m really enjoying the book so far, I’m only two chapters in but I’m already hooked. x
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Hi Rebecca.
I too am terrible at constantly looking at my phone and checking social media.
But hopefully I am not quite as bad as I used to be!
I have been leaving my phone downstairs at night for about 2 years now and reading a book before sleep instead. Its much easier on the eyes and the brain. I have bought myself a little alarm clock that is quite cute and doesn’t tick very loudly. A radio alarm clock would do just as well.
If I am on holiday I try to keep my phone off and just check it periodically.
Ha though here I am at work…and I am reading blogs instead of prepping cheese!
Must get back to the wensleydale. 🙂
Ps. I too am reading Eleanor Oliphant. Just started it. Its definitely drawing me in. X
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Haha, Sharon! I hope the Wensleydale wasn’t too neglected!
I’m hoping that leaving it downstairs really helps. The fact that I’m also hooked on this book should help provide me with a distraction! x
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Hello lovely Rebecca! 🙂
You’re totally right..I’m as guilty as you are of constantly checking my phone, expecially Instagram!
Sometimes even If I can sleep at nightI I spend time on bloglovin, instead of reading some pages of a book that could be more helpful to relax myself! But there’s always the problem of the alarm clock..I’ve tried to find a nice one for ages, but I failed..they were super super noisy and ugly!!!
Good luck!:)
xxx
Martina
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That’s the problem I’m having finding the perfect clock! The ones that look nice tend to be the ones that tick which isn’t exactly relaxing 😂 x
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I am TERRIBLE when it comes to phone addiction. I haven’t yet found a failsafe way to avoid looking at social media constantly but two that have worked ok are turning the wifi off for the evening (obviously you also need to turn your mobile data off!) and putting my phone upstairs before sitting down with Thomas in the living room. Otherwise I will also sit ‘watching’ a film but actually scrolling.
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I like the idea of turning the kids WiFi and mobile data off to force me to stop faffing with my phone. I really do need to curb how much time I waste on it.
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