You're probably aware of the fact that phones and apps are built to make us addicted by now. I mean, heck, you're on a neocities site! Hating regular social media seems to be a pretty unifying stance in these parts of the web.
I personally realised that social media was making me (even more) miserable a few years ago (I used Instagram back then). I was spending too much time on it, the recommendations are inevitably riddled with stuff that irritates us and I hated how automated opening the app had become.
It's not just that though, is it? Even after deleting the account, setting screentime restrictions, etc. I still caught myself reaching for the phone subconsciously all the time. (There are many good resources out there about how bad some of this stuff is, but unraveling the sickening inner workings of tech companies is a topic for another day.)
Anyways...with phones being so integrated into our lives, the question is: Am I okay with the way I use my phone? And how do I regain control if not? Just something to reflect on.
I recently started to leave my phone at home if I'm just running errands or going for a walk and it feels fucking liberating. I have a small notebook and pen with me instead sometimes. Started doing sketches of things I see. Also, bonus points: the sketchbook isn't annoying in the pocket because it's not rock solid like a phone, haha. Softcover for the win!
I will also try out a feature phone towards the end of the year. Small phone with a keypad, runs only the essential stuff like signal or maps, can take a few photos. I think for me it's the right step. Because being able to look things up and always having a smartphone with me became such a necessity somehow, especially since sorta growing up with this stuff. I feel like it could be a very liberating feeling to ditch that.
Even now the observations without a phone are kinda interesting and serene. Trying to get away from that perpetual escapism somehow.
(I'm not trying to condemn anything here by the way. I also use media as a form of escapism a lot. If it works as a relatively unharmful coping mechanism, great! We all need a fucking break sometimes. Just maybe shift from brainrot TikTok to more intentional stuff on YouTube or something. You are what you consume! But who am I to say...)
If you relate to wanting-to-regain-control but don't want to ditch your smartphone, there are many cool resources and tools out there as well. (Screen Zen, Minimal Launcher, This Zine, etc.)
Don't let the evil tech overlords make you miserable!