The relief and space after I deleted TikTok!! And then’ hid’ a few others- turned off all notifications (sigh of relief). I am finding Substack notes almost as addictive tbh! 🥺
I feel equally seen and attacked, how dare you, sir! 😂 I long ago deleted to Facebook app from my phone (haven’t posted since 2019 but still need to access it occasionally for clients and also for groups we need here in Asia). I haven’t posted on IG for almost 3 months (even though I was doing quite a lot of IG work with hotels). And never use X/Twitter. Not a big YT watcher. So hey, pat on the back, I’m not a slave to socials. But…I have replaced those scrolling habits with almost obsessively checking the news apps. I feel as though ‘keeping up with what’s going on in the world’ is probably slightly better for my head than the hellscapes of social media apps. But still, it’s worrying. And exactly what you’ve said here about YT - it’s the constant ‘quest for knowledge I might otherwise be missing out on.’ Nowadays, I try to pull out my little sudoku books and spend some time outdoors (the pollution and heat in Hanoi make this a little tricky sometimes). Anything to not be staring at my phone. (Unless I’m reading on my Kindle app, which I do spend an hour or two doing each day.) It’s an ongoing battle.
yes, indeed the battle is ongoing and we all fight it and push through in our own way! I really like that you mentioned sudoku! That’s a great strategy.
How long have you lived in Hanoi? I just did a quick check and it looks like the air quality is unfortunately on par with Guadalajara, where I currently live. Got take advantage of these clean air days right? Thanks for the comment and reading, appreciate it.
The "app" for me isn't on the phone. My daily average phone use is under an hour,
which includes Uber time. It's the computer that gets me. I don't like the small size of a phone, but I can be on the computer all day. Email, Substack, news sites, ChatGPT. I address this by leaving my computer at work throughout the week.
I successfully deleted Facebook and Twitter but have a more difficult time deleting YouTube and Instagram. But I definitely felt a bigger disconnect with Facebook and Twitter. I also found myself scrolling on those apps with no intention. One day I will be able to delete all of the apps.😅
Right now it’s Substack I’ve been diving into. . But if I delete it, how will I read your writing?! 😂 That dopamine loop though - is real! This is a great piece, Ian!
I was a on MySpace first, then Facebook, met some nice people online and many I still am in touch with in various countries. It's been eye-opening.
I don't like notifications. I don't like Smartphones. My phone is old and has a $16 a month plan. Mostly for signing up for online platforms and two-factor authentication that only do text and no landlines.
I'm okay with it. I'm a tough kind of person though; I can take heat from hotheads without making my reply personal, and sometimes I just let the hothead's words roll off me or I reply with something self-deprecating, and I can joke around easily to ward off negative stuff. I think that in order to be online and not get sucked in, I have to be that way.
I know we're not going back to pre-smartphones so adaptation is key.
The relief and space after I deleted TikTok!! And then’ hid’ a few others- turned off all notifications (sigh of relief). I am finding Substack notes almost as addictive tbh! 🥺
Yes, I agree with you. It’s all about moderation right!
Haha true!
I feel equally seen and attacked, how dare you, sir! 😂 I long ago deleted to Facebook app from my phone (haven’t posted since 2019 but still need to access it occasionally for clients and also for groups we need here in Asia). I haven’t posted on IG for almost 3 months (even though I was doing quite a lot of IG work with hotels). And never use X/Twitter. Not a big YT watcher. So hey, pat on the back, I’m not a slave to socials. But…I have replaced those scrolling habits with almost obsessively checking the news apps. I feel as though ‘keeping up with what’s going on in the world’ is probably slightly better for my head than the hellscapes of social media apps. But still, it’s worrying. And exactly what you’ve said here about YT - it’s the constant ‘quest for knowledge I might otherwise be missing out on.’ Nowadays, I try to pull out my little sudoku books and spend some time outdoors (the pollution and heat in Hanoi make this a little tricky sometimes). Anything to not be staring at my phone. (Unless I’m reading on my Kindle app, which I do spend an hour or two doing each day.) It’s an ongoing battle.
yes, indeed the battle is ongoing and we all fight it and push through in our own way! I really like that you mentioned sudoku! That’s a great strategy.
How long have you lived in Hanoi? I just did a quick check and it looks like the air quality is unfortunately on par with Guadalajara, where I currently live. Got take advantage of these clean air days right? Thanks for the comment and reading, appreciate it.
The "app" for me isn't on the phone. My daily average phone use is under an hour,
which includes Uber time. It's the computer that gets me. I don't like the small size of a phone, but I can be on the computer all day. Email, Substack, news sites, ChatGPT. I address this by leaving my computer at work throughout the week.
I successfully deleted Facebook and Twitter but have a more difficult time deleting YouTube and Instagram. But I definitely felt a bigger disconnect with Facebook and Twitter. I also found myself scrolling on those apps with no intention. One day I will be able to delete all of the apps.😅
Yes, I agree with you. It's a day by day process. Thank you for reading!
Right on. Yes it seems that simply restricting access is the easiest solution!
Right now it’s Substack I’ve been diving into. . But if I delete it, how will I read your writing?! 😂 That dopamine loop though - is real! This is a great piece, Ian!
Thanks for reading! Substack does seem to be a calmer place to spend time, but everything in moderation right?
I was a on MySpace first, then Facebook, met some nice people online and many I still am in touch with in various countries. It's been eye-opening.
I don't like notifications. I don't like Smartphones. My phone is old and has a $16 a month plan. Mostly for signing up for online platforms and two-factor authentication that only do text and no landlines.
I'm okay with it. I'm a tough kind of person though; I can take heat from hotheads without making my reply personal, and sometimes I just let the hothead's words roll off me or I reply with something self-deprecating, and I can joke around easily to ward off negative stuff. I think that in order to be online and not get sucked in, I have to be that way.
I know we're not going back to pre-smartphones so adaptation is key.
great perspective, thank you for reading!