Phone
It’s been two months without any form of social media.
No Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitter, etc. All platforms deleted. Not deactivated, deleted. My digital presence solely found on the BELAY EXPEDITIONS website.
So, how’s it going?
Well, I take a lot pride in being social media-less, which is a simple reminder that I made the right decision for myself. I don’t miss posting nor the mindless scrolling, and my friendships and connections - still here. The biggest unknown regarding my grand exit from social media was if BE would be negatively affected. So far, it hasn’t.
Cold Hard Truth
But here’s the cold hard truth. One week ago, I was sauntering through the Maroon Bells wilderness with a friend and she asked how life without social media was going. I mentioned that originally I thought if I deleted social media, I would inevitably spend less time on my phone. But that is simply not the case.
Hiking toward the Maroon Bells while talking about phone addiction.Now, when bored or with a second of free time, instead of checking social media, I check my email, website analytics, and…bank accounts.
/// NEWS FLASH ///
*** NONE OF THOSE CHANGE OFTEN ***
Which helped me realize that I have a nasty phone habit, caused by social media. And I know it’s a phone habit and not a technology habit because I certainly don’t check my laptop every few minutes. My laptop and I have an outstanding working relationship. The habit rests with the phone.
I must give myself a touch of grace because it’s worth noting that I do not use my phone in the presence of others nor in The Great Outdoors. This habit is an indoor, by myself, kind of thing.
A distinction also needs to be made between habit and addiction. To me, a habit is something we do automatically without much thinking. While addiction implies a need and when the need is unfulfilled, withdrawal symptoms occur.
Well, I certainly do not experience withdrawal symptoms when away from my phone (although many people do) but I do pick up my phone automatically and without thinking. It appears I have a bad habit and…I’m not alone. According to minimalist Joshua Becker:
The typical cell phone user touches his or her phone 2,617 times per day. 2,617 is not a typo!
Most people, on average, spend 3 hours and 15 minutes on their phones each day. I’m surprised it’s not more.
Half of all phone pickups happen within 3 minutes of the previous one. I easily resonate with this.
And the negative consequences are weighty. Becker lists several but the consequences I personally notice:
Reducing quality of conversations
Negatively affecting sleep patterns
An alarming positive correlation between smartphone addiction and depression.
There is no point in talking about problems if you’re not going to talk about the solutions so what are my solutions to this nasty phone habit?
I’ve deleted the Gmail app from my phone and have implemented responding to emails only from my laptop.
I’ve deleted the Squarespace app from my phone, thus, I must check analytics from my laptop.
I do not take my phone to bed! When sleeping in my office, the phone stays downstairs at night. When sleeping in my car, the phone stays in the front seat. When in Louisiana, it stays on the dining room table, and if sleeping in a tent, I probably don’t have service anyway!
I turned off notifications on my phone. And lastly,
I’m heavily considering a dumb phone.
Me, Leigh, and Jess on Mount Antero discussing Outrage Machine and our virtual book club.While on a Colorado journey in July, my friend Jess spoke of the newly released book Outrage Machine. A book about the negative impacts of technology. Jess uses BE journeys as personal “misogis” but inevitably we spend many hours discussing our latest and future reads.
On this particular journey, Leigh joined us and in on our book nerd convos. By the end of the journey, we decided to start a virtual book club with Outrage Machine being our first book. The irony that we are having a VIRTUAL book club about the CONSEQUENCES of TECHNOLOGY is not lost on me! We haven’t began yet, but when we do I‘ll be sure to share my insights. Additionally, if our virtual book club appeals to you, let me know! I can add you in.
Many people will read this blog and defend my phone habit. With good intentions, they’ll attempt to minimize the problems I’ve ascribed to my phone by saying things like “Everyone does this,” “Phones do good, too,” or “Everything in moderation.” All of which are true but I do have to wonder,
Are they defending my problem, or theirs?
The heart of the matter is that I am a goal-driven individual who practices simplicity. I believe through simplicity we achieve our goals. Through ridding the unnecessary, you can focus on the necessary. I am my best self when I live simply and productively.
#BESimple #BEinPursuit
Thus, when I waste hours on my phone due to an unnecessary bad habit, not only do I feel unproductive, I feel that I’m not actualizing my best self. To say this doesn’t affect my happiness would contradict the research that suggests an alarming positive correlation between phone usage and depression. In conclusion, excess phone usage bothers me and my solutions are just me, trying to be me, better.
BE You. Better
~Belay
Me living “car life” a few years back, right before down-sizing to “bike life.” Living happily with meaning in a tech-centered and materialistic society has been (and I imagine always be will be) a life-long quest. 