Oh that's a good one too! I remember quite a few people in rehab saying the thing that finally gave them the push to get clean was watching themselves really drunk on video. Nothing like a bit of self-clarity to push you along...
I've been creating a habit of leaving my apartment all day on the weekends without my phone. It's been difficult, but it's slowly rewiring my reflex to grab for my phone every time I'm bored or have a random question pop up in my head.
Amazing! It's so good to notice your impulses changing right? I love noticing how different my thoughts are when I go a few days with no reception or wifi. Thanks for sharing.
I love this! Reminds me of an experiment I did years ago, where I wanted to figure out just how much time I was wasting, so I logged everything I did in a time tracking app. As a result, I immediately started wasting less time on nonsense, because having to make an active commitment to doing something (I'd have to add a time log entry for "doomscrolling twitter" for example) just made it clear how silly it is and how many more attractive alternatives there actually are.
Yes! That's it, something to take you outside the frame of yourself, and really look at what it is you've been doing. I also find phones worse for this than desktop/laptop because of the way the tech becomes almost an extension of yourself.
That was so fabulous! The reinforcement of speaking the truth out loud over and over is enough to cure me of most bad habits. I too find work arounds for issues I face. Add a bit of self deprecating humor, and it makes things easier for me. Thank for writing this piece. I can attest that your approach does work for me!
I'm so glad to hear that! Anything that helps you see yourself from the outside while keeping a sense of humour about it tends to be pretty handy. Thanks for stopping by.
This is brilliant, I can't wait to give it a try. I had the same goal of not being on my phone in front of my son but it's been a challenge to try and break the habit/addiction. Thank you for sharing!
You're quite right, rationalisation throws a spanner into the works at a particular level! Notes is a tricky point at the moment, because I can lie to myself that I'm "engaging with the community" and it's not a complete falsehood. But the trick works for me to at least get rid spending time on the truly ridiculous brain crack stuff.
You're so welcome! Thanks for your words, and all the very best resisting this particular collective opiate. I find that spending a day walking around observing everyone else transfixed to their glass boxes in public helps, too.
This is some great advice! The note about ADHD and internal talk really struck me. Like, I talk to myself a lot, but I didn't know it was unusual. Things to think about. Overall, though, your advice seems good, I'll try it out over this next week and see where it leads me. Thank you!
I still smoke cigarettes, but for one of my quit attempts, I told myself "You may smoke as many cigarettes as you like--in front of the mirror."
It didn't work (my heart wasn't in it at the time) but boy oh boy did that hit different.
Oh that's a good one too! I remember quite a few people in rehab saying the thing that finally gave them the push to get clean was watching themselves really drunk on video. Nothing like a bit of self-clarity to push you along...
Excellent post! Thank you 💜
You're very welcome Jai, thank you and appreciate you stopping by!
I've been creating a habit of leaving my apartment all day on the weekends without my phone. It's been difficult, but it's slowly rewiring my reflex to grab for my phone every time I'm bored or have a random question pop up in my head.
Amazing! It's so good to notice your impulses changing right? I love noticing how different my thoughts are when I go a few days with no reception or wifi. Thanks for sharing.
I love this! Reminds me of an experiment I did years ago, where I wanted to figure out just how much time I was wasting, so I logged everything I did in a time tracking app. As a result, I immediately started wasting less time on nonsense, because having to make an active commitment to doing something (I'd have to add a time log entry for "doomscrolling twitter" for example) just made it clear how silly it is and how many more attractive alternatives there actually are.
Yes! That's it, something to take you outside the frame of yourself, and really look at what it is you've been doing. I also find phones worse for this than desktop/laptop because of the way the tech becomes almost an extension of yourself.
That was so fabulous! The reinforcement of speaking the truth out loud over and over is enough to cure me of most bad habits. I too find work arounds for issues I face. Add a bit of self deprecating humor, and it makes things easier for me. Thank for writing this piece. I can attest that your approach does work for me!
I'm so glad to hear that! Anything that helps you see yourself from the outside while keeping a sense of humour about it tends to be pretty handy. Thanks for stopping by.
It was my pleasure!
This is brilliant, I can't wait to give it a try. I had the same goal of not being on my phone in front of my son but it's been a challenge to try and break the habit/addiction. Thank you for sharing!
You're very welcome! It takes a bit of time to make it an automatic habit, but it's worth the effort. All the best
If this works for you, maybe you're not great at rationalising things (which is probably a positive).
You're quite right, rationalisation throws a spanner into the works at a particular level! Notes is a tricky point at the moment, because I can lie to myself that I'm "engaging with the community" and it's not a complete falsehood. But the trick works for me to at least get rid spending time on the truly ridiculous brain crack stuff.
Goodness this HIT. I’ve successfully quit alcohol, smoking and don’t want to be a carpal-wristed junkie staring at a glass box.
Thank you for this!
You're so welcome! Thanks for your words, and all the very best resisting this particular collective opiate. I find that spending a day walking around observing everyone else transfixed to their glass boxes in public helps, too.
I do this!!! Great post.
Thank you Amber! Glad to hear I am in good company ... the funny things you learn as you're winging it along in the parenting game, right?
This is some great advice! The note about ADHD and internal talk really struck me. Like, I talk to myself a lot, but I didn't know it was unusual. Things to think about. Overall, though, your advice seems good, I'll try it out over this next week and see where it leads me. Thank you!