How to move away from the phone

@optimisticAvocado8964  I feel the same way. My time is so limited, but I still spend lots of time scrolling on my phone and leaving the most important things behind. I'm still practicing how to better use my phone. I'm trying to make a plan. Trying... not sure whether it works. I believe there are lots of ways, but we need to find a way that suits us best. Hope you can find a way that suits you most. 💚

@optimisticAvocado8964

I recommend installing apps that you can find which will prevent you from opening apps on your phone. This way you can manage time better and feel less stress 

@optimisticAvocado8964I am sailing on the same ship dear! Let's hope to get some good remedies here, hehe!

@optimisticAvocado8964

Hey there, I know how you feel. It has been so hard to stay offline lately, and especially when you don’t have a lot of friends and feel alone. I find loneliness can make me interact online more, wanting that connection and to feel included. It really is a battle. What helps me detox, is deleting apps, like *** which has felt the most addictive for me personally. Or setting app timers, but sadly, it is easy to override these. I also get myself to consume slower content again, like YouTube videos, or series, getting into a series can help, and then getting back into movies – to build that attention span again.

But what also helps is when I sit with and address the heavy emotions inside, because sometimes that becomes a main reason to distract myself, what kind of keeps the habit alive. And social media being so accessible makes it too easy to use as a distraction. I find that when I can face my heavier emotions again, I can be present more and allow myself to be bored because sitting with my thoughts are not as intense as when I did not face them for so long.

Being online also really impacts motivation, I think it has to do with dopamine, it’s like we need to ‘re-program’ ourselves again. And I think starting to live with more intention* can help. Intentionally facing emotions, with writing, journalling, speaking to someone, intentionally reading instead of scrolling or putting a series or movie on instead AND getting through that initial discomfort. Once getting through that first discomforts, it gets easier with time.  And I find my quality of life improves a lot. I can think clearer, I feel more connected to myself and my own voice. I feel stronger as a person again.

I find I go into cycles though, cycles of bad social media use and cycles where I do a lot better. I hope you are not too hard on yourself; it’s honestly a battle most of us are facing these days. Life is so hard and sadly social media has become a replacement to emotional regulation to some degree, and it helps being able to find other ways to emotionally regulate that does not take away our attention spans, energy, motivation and time! I said A LOT here haha, but maybe start with awareness of the why, intentional changing, with self-kindness as you go, allowing for ups and downs, and finding a way to stay more present and regulated within yourself. I hope this helps you! 

@ooptimisticAvocado8964 I can totally relate, thank you for making this thread 💗

@optimisticAvocado8964

Hi there! I struggle with the same thing as you to be honest, but here are some things you can try:

Use apps that prevent you from scrolling. This might be a little silly but I use Duolingo, and I have it set so that I can’t go on social media apps unless I learn a lesson. It’s been working lately!

Put your phone somewhere you can’t see it, whether it’s in another room or hidden in a drawer. Out of sight, out of mind.

Remember, your phone is a tool! Try deleting apps that distract you and drain your energy.

I still definitely struggle with scrolling on my phone as well. You’re not alone. I hope we can all overcome this!!

@optimisticAvocado8964 Here's an event I am sure you will like https://www.7cups.com/forum/teens/General_2465/JointheScreenTimeChallenge_388158/

Well, hobbies was going to be my idea for you. Clearly you are a good writer. Have you ever tried writing by hand as a hobby??

Hey, I really felt this post. Honestly, it’s so valid—you’re definitely not alone in feeling this way.

​When you live alone, the phone naturally becomes a safety net against silence, so please don't be too hard on yourself about the screen time. That feeling of boredom when you put it down is actually super common; our brains get so used to constant dopamine that reality suddenly feels slow and empty.

​Since jumping straight into schoolwork when you’re already feeling down is really hard, maybe try starting super small? Instead of trying to "be productive," just pick one tiny, low-pressure thing that has nothing to do with a screen. Like making a warm drink, taking a short walk without headphones, or listening to an album or podcast while cooking.

​Those 80s/90s vibes you mentioned felt more real because people allowed themselves to just be without constantly consuming content. You can bring a little piece of that back for yourself, bit by bit.

​Take it easy on yourself today. Here if you ever want to chat or just vent!

@optimisticAvocado8964

Truly truly this is valid 

Although most genz will say I can't do without my phone for some minutes or hours but have seen people from older generations that can go many days without it , just that they just need to like make calls which won't even take time at all 

And I think someone posted about how to manage your screen  time and with one challenge like that  recently but I can't remember the person 

so if anyone sees the thread or know the person please tag the link to the thread here 

Thanks