Low-Tech Life:Taking back your time

Okay, yeah, that title sounds super pretentious, I'm sorry. But I also know that a lot of us are on here because mainstream social medias are just too hectic and invasive, and also because of how they are built to steal our time.

I see the dumbphone posts here, and I talk with people over on SH about the same sort of stuff (slower media, alternative search engines/browsers/OS) and it inspired me to take my own steps to reclaiming my life from the dopamine slot machine of Meta. (My neurodivergence is SOL when it comes to that crap.) I still have a long way to go, but I am finding out what works for me. I desire to no longer betray myself for Phone In Bed.

Has anyone else wanted --or started-- to take steps in going low/slow/dumb tech? Maybe you've been doing it for a while and want to share what works for you, and help inspire someone along the way?

@Erah Mar What I mean is that they still can now, I learned that the hard way. 😘

Go back to having different devices for different needs or as much as you can! Cameras, mp3, DVDs, hard drive, flip phones!!!

A major step for me was putting News Feed Eradicator on all my browsers. It's a free add-on/plug in that makes you intentionally choose to use these services. There's even ways to add additional friction. 

I use a very small phone called the Unihertz Jelly Max. It's the smallest available 5G smartphone which makes it kind of tough to spend a long time scrolling. On that phone I've installed a blocker called Speed Bump. It allows me to make certain apps "shut down" after a certain chosen time. 

I really feel like choosing tools that give me the ability to add constraints when I'm thinking clearly (eg. Before I start scrolling) is more useful than pure restriction. 

For me it's not about cutting out technology entirely. Rather, I'm more interested in using technology for the things I think it should be used for rather than what large companies want me to use it for.

I did quit instagram, I dont have Twitter or tiktok or anything on my phone, so thats a big step I think >__< i used Instagram a lot and quitting it brought me so much peace. Now I just use this and piffy basically. Im drawing more, im playing more slow paced video games which I love, and its been so good ^_^ 

Here's some of the things I have swapped out in an attempt to break myself out of the need to look at my phone. Now, these are for me, they might not be for everyone else, but it might give you some ideas.

FIRST OFF:

I put clocks up everywhere in my home, so I don't have to look at my phone as often. I'm also a little time-blind, so this helps me stay on track. Win-win.

Digital camera and an extra battery. Less chances of getting distracted by notifications. A little cumbersome, NGL.

Sure. It doesn't offer the variety that streaming does, but man, having no ads really makes up for that. Also, that thing is also huge, and has and expansion slot so you can have pretty much every song you want. Also a little cumbersome.

Okay, this one is a little more niche. I don't mind radio, and I don't mind local ads. I mainly just want background noise, and this keeps me from getting lost on Youtube, as well as cuts down on the choice fatigue/paralysis.

This is my newest acquisition: a non-smart alarm clock with 4 fully customizable alarms. Like most people, I use my phone as my alarm clock, so it has to be next to the bed (and within easy reach until the wee hours.) With this I can set my weird work schedule, charge my phone across the room, and not have to wake my partner up with a screaming alarm.

This is probably the most niche and unnecessary things I've ever done, but it's my favorite. That beautiful monstrosity is hooked up to my smartphone via bluetooth. Since the transmitter works best if the smartphone is close by, I have to leave my phone with my... phone. I leave the notifs volume up all the way so I can hear texts, but less scrolling! Definitely not perfect. I don't get a lot of calls.

COMING SOON: an analog watch with a calendar setting.

Have you made any analog swaps? What's working for you? Let us know!

I'm currently trying to detox social media and excessive digital media usage (again!) and I hope this time I won't go crawling back to doomscrolling on TT after a month. First thing I noticed is that it's helpful to replace the doomscrolling with something else that keeps your mind and hands busy. I decided to get back into reading via handheld ereader and alternating with a physical book. It also helps to leave whatever device you're trying to detox from in another room or hiding it someplace that isn't immediately at hand's reach. Hell, I even got into gardening to do something outside and started learning about growing produce at home. I hope some of these things help!