I LOVE this Caoilainn - I totally know that euphoric emotional feeling you got too. Being without the old phone really does allow some raw emotions to come through. I think this is why I always have my deepest thoughts and clarifying moments on flights!
Thank you so much Claudia - so glad that you also relate to the raw emotions ❤️🔥 it felt a little embarrassing to write that but it is genuinely how I felt! And OMG, so true about the flights, I couldn't agree me. Flights do really force us into a meditative state (given that the on board wifi never actually works!)
I love this article Caoilainn! I read Johnathan Haidt's "The Anxious Generation" and that was enough to convince myself I needed to try to take a full social media break 1 day each week. I've only been able to do that twice, but I experienced exactly what you described. So much more mental clarity, happiness, and presentness. I did find myself more lonely, I do not usually have plans with others to entertain myself with, but otherwise it is a great experience. I am able to get so much more done as well, and spend more time doing other things I enjoy, like knitting, reading, taking pictures with my actual camera, and watching TV.
Ah thank you so much Paige 🫶🏻 It is amazing to see how time for all your other hobbies magically appear once the phone and laptop are put away. They are the biggest thefts of our time!
"I’m happy because life is beautiful and I can really feel the chaotic beauty of it vibrating around me." this is such a great outcome!! !! Also, I am SO CURIOUS about the top-secret project! I think using the ipad is not cheating, if it's for recipe purposes. The phone itself is not evil, as you said, you also missed a few things that you needed digitally. They just so happen to be bunched up into one device that ALSO distracts you from life but all the things you mentioned ARE life. ~back in my day~ we had several things with us at all times: debit cards/ tickets / cd player or ipod / a book / paper maps or a tomtom / an alarm clock/ a recipe book / a dumb phone for emergencies... I am glad you tried but some things deserve to be accessed, all other notifications can be muted and apps hidden in a folder. You inspired me to set a time limit of 15 min on instagram and 25 on fb !!
Top secret project will be revealed soon ;) Thanks so much for reading! I think time limits are absolutely vital, though I am always shocked at how fast they are used up 🥲 its crazy how much time we can sink into these things.
I really loved reading your experience. I ditched all social media, bar Substack, this year and even that has been a big weight lifted. I feel like I'm able to actively engage and be present in whatever I choose to do because I'm not preoccupied in think I should share some of it on Instagram and taking pictures are just for me to enjoy. I'd definitely like to spend less time on my phone, I too feel the need to seek out information I don't particularly need to know. I think my only fear is that, being single and living alone, I might miss the option to reach out to people as and when I want but it's certainly something I'll try more of since reading this :)
The urge to take photos just for Instagram is real! I also really enjoy photography but it feels so blended with social media at this point, it's sometimes hard to grasp where each begins and ends. I also really relate to you saying it feels like a big weight has been lifted - life just feels calmer and quieter. Hope you have fun trying out more phone or social media free days :) Thanks so much for reading 🩷
What a fun experiment :) I should give this a go esp since I know have a highly addictive shiny new iPhone. How much did you find yourself having to rely on other devices (laptop and iPad) on those days as substitutes for the phone?
Definitely give it a go!! I didn't rely on them too often to be honest - I was super strict with the iPad and only used it for recipes, for example I didn't use it to google things coming into my head etc. I used my laptop once or twice because I had to finish a Substack post that I couldn't get done during the week, but then too I was quite strict with myself and didn't use it for anything else that that purpose. It's for sure a challenge! What I was thinking would be even more challenging is *screenless* Sundays - as I still watched some movies, played video games, etc.
This was so inspiring Caoilainn - I want to practice this now too. I’ve been telling myself for too long that I need to purchase both another watch (analogue) and a damn alarm clock so my phone isn’t my primary timekeeper! I just resonate with this so much - how handy a tools on this piece of technology is, yet how much it’s become another limb of mine has me unsettled.
I particularly loved this:
“I start to experience what I can only describe as a feeling of serene yet balanced detachment. Without my phone, I don’t think about other people too much, nor do I obsess about myself. Spending a lot of time online allows mini daggers to pierce your soul all day long. Social media and the internet somehow reinforce the negative stories you tell yourself about what you don’t have yet, what you haven’t achieved yet and who you can’t help. It feels like living for years in a haunted house, only realising that things can be different when you finally step outside the front door.”
Thank you so much Laura 🥺🫶🏻 I am so happy this resonated with you. Ditto on the analogue watch - I only have an Apple Watch right now and I really want to get myself a different one. Plus - watches can be so timeless and classy!
I tried this one day in November when I was not feeling my best and I had the best and most refreshing day. Physically I felt more in touch with my actions and life around me. I travelled home on the train with a physical ticket too, scared my family though because I hadn’t told anyone. I might take this up as a habit actually.
This definitely inspires me to follow suit. I did this for roughly four weeks as well but just fell out of the habit. It really is freeing. I love that you were able to compose a poem because your mind was free to wander where it may, that is huge!
This is an amazing share. I’ve also started recently trying a no phone Saturday and find myself craving that time throughout the week. Your words skillfully captured some of the same experiences I had - for example the random poetry pop ups!
Love this. I always think about pre-2010, before I had a phone in my pocket. Those times seem more simple. Just me and my thoughts. I couldn't connect with friends unless I went on the family desktop and loaded up MSN messenger!
Now it feels like we are always available. And I don't like it. With the perks of tech, this is certainly a draw back. Being present is a rare thing these days. And it makes me sad that many from younger generations will never know what it feels like to randomly stroll down to the park in the evening and hope to bump into friends there. It was a awesome feeling - you hadn't spoken to them all day, you just turned up and had so much to talk about.
Leaving your phone at home whilst you go out now feels unthinkable. It's quite amazing how things have changed so quickly.
I still keep my phone on me all of the time but I just take a mindful pause before looking to grab it when I'm bored and ask myself; "Do I really need to do that?"
The answer is usually no.
San Andreas GTA also reminds me of simpler times 😍
I often think about that exact thing - how spontaneous life was before phones (you would randomly meet your friends somewhere) VS now where we are hyper connected but everything is pre-planned to death. I think it is really good to ask yourself these questions: "Why am I reaching for my phone right now?" or "Do I really need to do that?" - otherwise you can waste hours on something that doesn't really give you any benefit. Love that you also picked up on what I said about GTA!!! Thanks for reading, Sean 💚
I LOVE this Caoilainn - I totally know that euphoric emotional feeling you got too. Being without the old phone really does allow some raw emotions to come through. I think this is why I always have my deepest thoughts and clarifying moments on flights!
Thank you so much Claudia - so glad that you also relate to the raw emotions ❤️🔥 it felt a little embarrassing to write that but it is genuinely how I felt! And OMG, so true about the flights, I couldn't agree me. Flights do really force us into a meditative state (given that the on board wifi never actually works!)
I love this article Caoilainn! I read Johnathan Haidt's "The Anxious Generation" and that was enough to convince myself I needed to try to take a full social media break 1 day each week. I've only been able to do that twice, but I experienced exactly what you described. So much more mental clarity, happiness, and presentness. I did find myself more lonely, I do not usually have plans with others to entertain myself with, but otherwise it is a great experience. I am able to get so much more done as well, and spend more time doing other things I enjoy, like knitting, reading, taking pictures with my actual camera, and watching TV.
Ah thank you so much Paige 🫶🏻 It is amazing to see how time for all your other hobbies magically appear once the phone and laptop are put away. They are the biggest thefts of our time!
"I’m happy because life is beautiful and I can really feel the chaotic beauty of it vibrating around me." this is such a great outcome!! !! Also, I am SO CURIOUS about the top-secret project! I think using the ipad is not cheating, if it's for recipe purposes. The phone itself is not evil, as you said, you also missed a few things that you needed digitally. They just so happen to be bunched up into one device that ALSO distracts you from life but all the things you mentioned ARE life. ~back in my day~ we had several things with us at all times: debit cards/ tickets / cd player or ipod / a book / paper maps or a tomtom / an alarm clock/ a recipe book / a dumb phone for emergencies... I am glad you tried but some things deserve to be accessed, all other notifications can be muted and apps hidden in a folder. You inspired me to set a time limit of 15 min on instagram and 25 on fb !!
Top secret project will be revealed soon ;) Thanks so much for reading! I think time limits are absolutely vital, though I am always shocked at how fast they are used up 🥲 its crazy how much time we can sink into these things.
Right?? Your article was really helpful though, I'm looking those alerts!!
Ohhhhhh can't wait!!!! :)
Made me lol a couple of times
I really loved reading your experience. I ditched all social media, bar Substack, this year and even that has been a big weight lifted. I feel like I'm able to actively engage and be present in whatever I choose to do because I'm not preoccupied in think I should share some of it on Instagram and taking pictures are just for me to enjoy. I'd definitely like to spend less time on my phone, I too feel the need to seek out information I don't particularly need to know. I think my only fear is that, being single and living alone, I might miss the option to reach out to people as and when I want but it's certainly something I'll try more of since reading this :)
The urge to take photos just for Instagram is real! I also really enjoy photography but it feels so blended with social media at this point, it's sometimes hard to grasp where each begins and ends. I also really relate to you saying it feels like a big weight has been lifted - life just feels calmer and quieter. Hope you have fun trying out more phone or social media free days :) Thanks so much for reading 🩷
What a fun experiment :) I should give this a go esp since I know have a highly addictive shiny new iPhone. How much did you find yourself having to rely on other devices (laptop and iPad) on those days as substitutes for the phone?
Definitely give it a go!! I didn't rely on them too often to be honest - I was super strict with the iPad and only used it for recipes, for example I didn't use it to google things coming into my head etc. I used my laptop once or twice because I had to finish a Substack post that I couldn't get done during the week, but then too I was quite strict with myself and didn't use it for anything else that that purpose. It's for sure a challenge! What I was thinking would be even more challenging is *screenless* Sundays - as I still watched some movies, played video games, etc.
this is amazing I loved it! and this poem wow!! I think I’ll give this a try now 🪅
yayyyyy gracias 💛✨
This was so inspiring Caoilainn - I want to practice this now too. I’ve been telling myself for too long that I need to purchase both another watch (analogue) and a damn alarm clock so my phone isn’t my primary timekeeper! I just resonate with this so much - how handy a tools on this piece of technology is, yet how much it’s become another limb of mine has me unsettled.
I particularly loved this:
“I start to experience what I can only describe as a feeling of serene yet balanced detachment. Without my phone, I don’t think about other people too much, nor do I obsess about myself. Spending a lot of time online allows mini daggers to pierce your soul all day long. Social media and the internet somehow reinforce the negative stories you tell yourself about what you don’t have yet, what you haven’t achieved yet and who you can’t help. It feels like living for years in a haunted house, only realising that things can be different when you finally step outside the front door.”
Thank you so much Laura 🥺🫶🏻 I am so happy this resonated with you. Ditto on the analogue watch - I only have an Apple Watch right now and I really want to get myself a different one. Plus - watches can be so timeless and classy!
I tried this one day in November when I was not feeling my best and I had the best and most refreshing day. Physically I felt more in touch with my actions and life around me. I travelled home on the train with a physical ticket too, scared my family though because I hadn’t told anyone. I might take this up as a habit actually.
I totally encourage it! I'm going to turn my phone off during the Christmas holidays for a while :)
This definitely inspires me to follow suit. I did this for roughly four weeks as well but just fell out of the habit. It really is freeing. I love that you were able to compose a poem because your mind was free to wander where it may, that is huge!
Thank you so much for reading, Adora 💗
This is an amazing share. I’ve also started recently trying a no phone Saturday and find myself craving that time throughout the week. Your words skillfully captured some of the same experiences I had - for example the random poetry pop ups!
LOVE that you also experienced the poetry thing! That was so strange for me. Creativity really does flow when our minds get the downtime.
Love this. I always think about pre-2010, before I had a phone in my pocket. Those times seem more simple. Just me and my thoughts. I couldn't connect with friends unless I went on the family desktop and loaded up MSN messenger!
Now it feels like we are always available. And I don't like it. With the perks of tech, this is certainly a draw back. Being present is a rare thing these days. And it makes me sad that many from younger generations will never know what it feels like to randomly stroll down to the park in the evening and hope to bump into friends there. It was a awesome feeling - you hadn't spoken to them all day, you just turned up and had so much to talk about.
Leaving your phone at home whilst you go out now feels unthinkable. It's quite amazing how things have changed so quickly.
I still keep my phone on me all of the time but I just take a mindful pause before looking to grab it when I'm bored and ask myself; "Do I really need to do that?"
The answer is usually no.
San Andreas GTA also reminds me of simpler times 😍
I often think about that exact thing - how spontaneous life was before phones (you would randomly meet your friends somewhere) VS now where we are hyper connected but everything is pre-planned to death. I think it is really good to ask yourself these questions: "Why am I reaching for my phone right now?" or "Do I really need to do that?" - otherwise you can waste hours on something that doesn't really give you any benefit. Love that you also picked up on what I said about GTA!!! Thanks for reading, Sean 💚
No problem and thanks for the post. Perhaps I will revisit GTA SA. It might put me back in a present, flow state like old times :)