Some thoughts after a month of a dumbphone
Date
4/18/2025
1.
✦ Where ever you go, there you are.
Nothing is magic. No matter what you do, it won't erase or replace your existing tendencies. That's okay, but it's definitely something to look out for. I got a dumbphone largely because I have an absolutely wicked screen addiction, and getting one has absolutely helped, but getting one doesn't get rid of those root issues. I have to exert effort to make sure that my laptop doesn't become the major time suck in my life and I still had to add app timers and browser extensions for YouTube on the dumbphone!
2.
✦ Inconvenience you can't get rid of is vital.
Even if it's not perfect, the results speak for themselves. My biggest issues with productivity hacks on regular smartphones is that you can just delete them if you want. I know the jackass that put them there! That person is an idiot! My personality is such that I will wriggle my way through any possible loophole. I want to subvert the rules as soon as I make them. Getting this dumbphone is great because I literally can't increase the memory storage, the size of the screen, the speed that websites load at, or how quickly the battery gets hot and uncomfortable to hold. I am trapped. Thank fucking god.
3.
✦ It's not enough to remove things from your life.
You need to come up with things that fill the space. You can feel pretty stupid, staring out into the middle distance with no fucking clue what to do with your day. You're a smart person, right? Nope. You will forget every single thing you enjoy doing if you're not careful. Make lists of things to do - playing guitar, developing various projects, reading, exercising, making art or good food or whatever else - this will save you. There's a reason why I got a dumbphone - to live more life. But I didn't realize how separate of a step figuring out how to live was.
Additionally, figure out why you do the things you do. For many people - and I can definitely relate to this - a mindless scroll slots very well as the intersection between something that is entertaining, not effortful but more engaging than literally sleeping. You don't even need to be upright - scrolling only requires eyes and a thumb. Reading requires focus. Many tasks need effort to initiate. So, in the times that I really need nothing to do... what can I do? For me, I think the combination of listening to a podcast while crocheting might hit that balance.
4.
✦ People are gonna comment on it.
It's honestly very fun. Get ready to have many silly conversations with people about your phone and if that's the same company that makes backhoes. It is. So dumb.
5.
✦ You might not even notice what you get back.
Honestly, even though my screen time is a tiny fraction of what it was, my days don't feel too much longer. Everything in this world are related skills, but seperate steps. I try my best to stay aware of my time and what I do with it, because regardless of what you're doing and on what device, it can all slip away if you're not careful. I think my next step in this ongoing quest is daily journalling. Keeping a log has always helped - an entry on my sketchbook is absolutely coming soon.
In Summary...
Nothing is magic, and that's okay. I think the most important part of getting a dumbphone for me was actually getting it. Not just talking about it, thinking or strategizing. Doing it. Any step towards improvement, towards a better existence that is more in line with how you'd like to be spending your life is worth it. Every single day is trial and error. It's a process worth doing, and as long as I'm learning, I can't really complain.
✦✦✦
