Oh the irony that I woke up, looked immediately at my phone, saw your email and then came here to watch this. 😉 I now set timers (on my phone) and I’m not allowed to look at it until the timer goes off (usually an hour) so I can work in “sprints” that are uninterrupted. It’s getting me back on track very quickly. I talk about it in what will be my video this week too, so clearly the collective unconscious wants us to get this message out.
I have massive fondness for the Do Not Disturb setting on my phone. That way, I don't get all the dings, but I still know my family can reach me in an emergency.
I have learned this the hard way. When my daughter was younger (toddler) she said "mommy, no phone". I then realized I had been looking at my phone that day more than playing with her. I now make sure I put away my phone more than I take it out. Thank you so much Cathy, your little videos of wisdom (or just any video of yours) always brighten my day.
I was at breakfast the other day and a little girl was like "Look Mama, Train! Look choo choo train!". I stopped and looked at the train running around the ceiling. But her mom was to into her phone. I'm a 38y old woman who was memorized by the train on the ceiling.
"Your phone is a tool" and for myself I add 'NOT a pacifier' The best thing I did for my mental health was get my phone off my night stand. I hug my dog more now instead.
I find it extremely difficult not to have my phone with me. I'm not big into social media but I have a pain disorder and I use videos, podcasts, audiobooks, music, etc. To distract me from the pain. I also use it to log symptoms and set alarms for eating and medication, etc. When I'm physically able to move around, I do. I long to be up and moving but the reality of my situation is that I need to metre out time spent doing to stave off flares, and try to be content with that. I have a laptop for digital art that I can do in bed and I love to cross stitch but again, my physical capacity to do those things is for long periods of time isn't very high. I completely agree with your message for the masses as I have noticed my friends and family not being present when I come out to spend what little time I can with them. I'm just letting people know my story and that for those like me, don't feel guilty that you need external stimuli to stay sane but maybe try to spend more of that time spent on your phone on videos like Cathy's that are inspiring and less time on Facebook and Instagram comparing yourself to how others present their lives to be. ❤️
Now that's an example of using your phone as a tool for positive reinforcement. I'm all for that, because you are the boss of your phone and it is your servant. It's when the balance of power seems to subtly switch that there's a problem.
The irony of me watching this on my phone is not lost on me. Lol but in my defence, I was eating breakfast. But now I am inspired to put the phone down and go and work on my sewing project.
This year, I have taken to switching off both my phone and my internet router entirely first thing Sunday morning and not switching them back on until at least midday, if not later. I find it helpful to encourage myself to do an analog entertainment thing, or go for a walk, or put away the laundry that's been sitting in a partially-folded pile on the end of my bed. Of course, I have nobody who ever needs to get in touch with me on a... I was going to say Sunday, but it's really any time I don't happen to be in the office. As an overly-nostalgic 90's kid, I often miss the time of landlines and pagers. When the world didn't demand constant engagement, and boundaries were implicit in that the universal understanding was 'leave a message and I'll get back to you when I can'. Having the white noise of the whole world in one's pocket - or, more frequently, getting beamed directly into one's eyeballs and eardrums - makes it easy to forget how relaxing the quiet is.
Yes, I agree with the "overly-nostalgic 90's kid" description. I too have been wishing we could go back to landlines; if someone called we would all race to get the phone :)) And if we weren't home, they left a message and we (someone in my family) called back when we were available. I don't remember anyone then being as busy as people are now!
This vlog made me think of all the things I use to accomplish, especially artistically, before modern technology came into my life. I resisted all of it for a very long time, but my boyfriend wanted me to have a cell phone for emergencies, etc. etc. etc. !sigh!
This reminds me of some of my vintage housekeeping books, where they recommend certain hours of the day/certain amounts of time, in which letter writing or phonecalls were the focus. What if we did the same with our phones? Great video, I shall endeavour to get my homework done!
Yes!! Fascinating to hear that this is not new! Similarly, I hear that when Samuel Johnson got his first watch, he was obsessed with checking "the infernal thing"! I wish I could find the reference to confirm that hearsay!
@@citycrusher9308 I don't think that's the reason people don't read/respond to the comments on their videos. It can be overwhelming putting yourself out there. It's a truly strange position to be in, and if you have a big channel, it can even become frightening. It's a vulnerable role to have in the world.
It's helpful to be old. Though I have a software background (I live in the silicon forest), I was already in my 40's when the Smart phones became a necessity. It is easier for me to put it down or in fact Lose the phone in my house. But I will say I am addicted to the research I can do on the computer (phone screen is too small and awkward for heavy research). It is lovely to have a world library at your fingertips. And thankfully because I am old I had typewriter training in high school so I type Very fast on keyboards. not so much on phones. Thank you Cathy for bringing this up to the younger folks. I hate our family gatherings because of this issue. of the 10 grandkids 8 of them have phones and they never look up and talk. But then again, their parents (all 10 of them) don't look up either.
Ruth d'hoore I’m the same and it’s true that when I start watching my phone i can really be sucked in an endless stream of distraction. Thoughts follow each other and I check this and that and it can take me... a LOT of time to emerge and be back in the present. With other stuff I feel I start zing distracted but I’m finished with the distraction quicker ? 🤷♀️
I've taken to the following weekend routine: 1) wake up and have a cuppa, stare out the window and watch people do things (cities are like another world at 8am on a Sunday/Saturday morning, they're so still you can feel their age) 2) set the oven timer for an hour 3) let myself check my phone - I watch the youtubes I've saved for the weekend and have a good dedicated scroll through Insta and Facebook and the group chats to get it out of my system 4) panic when the oven dinger goes off and rush to shush it so I don't wake up the partner (if he's not working) 5) realise I'm stood up and should probably Go Do Things 6) the phone goes in the bedroom on charge, full volume ringing as I usually phone family on weekends 7) get changes into People Clothes and then get a bunch of chores done listening to the iPod and things I want to do Also - may I direct everyone to their beloved music players of choice? It's so weird listening to your old favourite albums and songs and being transported back to that time but it's great for ideas and letting your mind wander 👌
Anna-May Moon I usually have music on when I’m doing the dishes either radio or CD. Most of my cds are favourite albums I missed it’s nice to listen and remember.
I totally agree...I got breakfast ,washed up the kitchen,took out the trash,washed myself,moisturized my face ,put up my hair and then listened to you,I'm going out in the sun. Have a lovely day!!!
Oh, I didn't notice it til I read your comment! I hate ticking like that! It feels like someone tapping the base of my skull! Isn't it weird how people react differently to such stuff?
When you said that you're phone is a tool, I really resonated with me. I use my mobile device as a tool to "destress" from a (for me) busy day spent talking with my parents getting enthusiastic about anything the day requires and it helps me like that (usually when I have my drawing tool on hand). Thank you for the advice, I really needed this. Even if it's not my immediate goal to step away from this device, it's still useful for me, because there are a lot of worries in my life that I am currently slowly taking control from. So, thank you. Love: an unusually curious individual
turning my notifications off was the best thing I've ever done. Especially when I started my art Instagram, I became obsessed with numbers and my analytics. It was becoming more important to me than the art. Now I only check when I want to, and I feel free from it! Free from the stress and the self-imposed pressure of numbers and engagement.
‘Have you noticed how distracted we are?’ Why yes miss Cathy. I’m watching this at 3:37am after doing bubs nappy change instead of going back to sleep.
I did that yesterday. I did have my phone with me while weeding the garden, because I needed music, but when I came inside, I plugged it in to charge, turned on an audio book and made 3 pillow covers, 2 masks, a canopy for my garden, printed address labels for the letter box I made for my grandchildren, and got 4 items ready to ship out today. The more items I checked off my list, the more stress I felt leaving my body. Lol
Switch my phone off for an hour? pff, easy. Turn my laptop off for an hour... oi! That's a bit more relevant to me. I think this is general good baby steps advice for any distractions-based addiction. Will try it... later.
Go feed yourself...as in actually preparing something. Then take it to the table and sit and look at it while you eat. For you, I'd daresay it's the step in breaking your addiction.
@@KB-nm5rp Indeed! That's my point. No one EVER said that cooking is not a creative endeavor. In your case, it combines practicality with creativity...and certainly shuts down the computer for at least an hour. The very act of eating with proper place settings ect., is also a creative experience...one that can be relived over and over again as you experiment.
whenever i'm in public regardless if it's on the buss, in the mall, at the doctor or something else i always observe other people and one thing i've noticed is that almost everyone is sitting and staring down at their phone, from young too old. Even when I go to parties or gatherings with friends or family, it's the same picture, it's sad and it's getting harder to communicate with people.
Growing up before cell phones, it just amazes me how attached I get to mine. I don't need my phone for work, didn't need it through graduate school, and hardly use the "phone" part of my phone. The other day my battery died. I let it on purpose, so I had to wait for it to fully charge before turning it on. Yes, I found myself reaching for it to get information for a doctor's visit but it wasn't until 3pm or so before I remembered I needed to charge it. I felt, free. My life was my own. Saying this, I love the convenience of my phone and the easy access it provided. To everyone, enjoy the hour.
For me it is making miniature rooms. Like a dollhouse only a wee bit smaller. I love the concentration that it takes. I work on it before I go to bed and sometimes it lasts for about 3-4 hours. Thank you for the great video!
Might have to adopt Cathy Hay as my surrogate mother, if she would accept such a proposition, lol. I love her supportive and encouraging nature, her soothing and gentle manner. She is so informative without being condescending or patronising.
I have to admit, since getting Bluetooth ear buds, I've been leaving my phone on the charger while listing to my podcasts/audiobooks/music more and more, instead of walking around with it in my hand or pocket while stealing glances at my notifications.
Actually, as an introvert, I love being on my phone at new and public places.... it makes me feel like I’m at home and surrounded by people and humor of my choice... that’s what makes me feel at home everywhere... :)
I really needed to hear this today. I have been very unfocused lately and it's stagnating my progress more than I've been able to admit to myself until now. Thank you for the pep talk, Cathy! Even if it is from a year ago, it's relevant to me in this moment and I am thankful the video is here. Also, I think more people need to realize that this actually is the best way to motivate and encourage people to change something that is possibly detrimental to them. Being condescending, yelling at people, insulting people . . . none of that actually works to inspire long term change.
Really interesting what you said. I am Jewish, and in Judaism the purpose of the Sabbath is to take a break from the race of life. To get together at home with friends and family. A religious Jew will not touch electrical appliances (you can of course leave them on or off but not touch them - such as light, heating, fan ..) including no traveling. The Sabbath is an integral part of my week and always when the Sabbath comes in (Friday night through Saturday night), the house is tidy and the food is ready, we sit on the couch and feel the soul free from all the things that keep us busy all week. It wasn't until I was older that I realized what a gift I was given. The ability to stop, turn off cell phones and computers and all the noises from outside and simply gather strength for the next week. What you said is so true, that turning off the phone can give us so much- from experience:) Such a little thing that gives so much
Every Wednesday morning I have breakfast in my little town in Western Australia with a couple friends at a regular cafe from 8am to 9am where we do not bring out our phones out and we talk face to face. It has become a ritual and I love it.
Today I am hermiting in my sewing room and garden. A whole day without my phone. Only RU-vid videos I’m watching are related to the theme of my projects because they help me stay focused. I’m ADD so immersive environments help me stay on track. It’s so relaxing.
I realised this past week that I hadn't finished a book in months and it actually really upset me. There's my lunch breaks, my time on the train & bus, my hours in my evening after work - all this time that I could read, sew, do anything. And I was on my phone and computer, doing NOTHING. So I actually made a rule for myself that I keep my phone buried in my bag more, that I reach for my book, my embroidery project first. And guess what happened? I read 2 whole novels, started a third, and finished a project within a week, when it usually takes several! I'm definitely going to keep up with this, and this video has encouraged me all the more :)
I came to a similar conclusion when I realized that when I'd look at my phone every 1/2 hour or so, and if there was something new (FB message, a new news article on one of my frequented sites, etc), I was content. But I eventually realized that when I'd get to the point where there wasn't anything new, I'd actually get grumpy. It would actually seriously affect my day; I'd get short with coworkers, the quality of my work would suffer. When I got home I wouldn't do much of anything, and get right back online. Interestingly, my mood would come back up when there was new content to consume, and if that's not a conditioned response to an addictive behavior I don't know what is. But stepping away from technology for certain periods of the day has helped immensely. I've gotten more done, and I've started reading again like I used to ~15 years ago (I was an extremely avid reader, I'd go through book after book after book. The local city library staff knew me by name. All of them. And I'm not in a small town.) I'm much happier these days, and on the theme of winning at life; book recommendation. The Happiness Advantage, by Shawn Achor. My boss recently turned us all on to it, and it's a great read. Sounds kinda like a self-help book from the name, but can heartily recommend; it's solid content that's based more on research and cognitive psychology than it is some dud just telling you to 'be happier'.
I have never felt this with my phone, I have left my phone at home before and not noticed until I got home from work. I have a problem with staying off my computer in my free time.
*working on her illustration of her favourite character and "watching videos for background noise"* I have 5 close friends and a partner. That's all I need.
I forgot my phone at home yesterday. I went the whole day without it. I was asked how I felt about it, and the word that came to my mind was, "free!". You are absolutely right - it's wonderful!
Having a good phone/work balance really helps. I am a full time artist and I normally do 'work sprints'. So I will set a 4-5 hour timer, work my way through it and then do social media work/photos/say hi to friends/emails, and then do it all over again. I am a little bit of a workaholic so this helps me remember to do health conscious things too. I cant tell you how many times I forget to eat when I am so wrapped up in work.
I came in from working in the garden on a beautiful day to watch RU-vid and this is the message! As soon as it is done I am going back outside for the entire day!
My Dear Madame Hay, I completely agree that our modern technology is frequently overshadows more interactive opportunities in life! I think this is why I am so enjoying this history bounding/historical sewing community I have stumbled across on RU-vid (all while making quilts or tying fishing flies). I enjoy gardening, fly fishing, quilting and reading....and am currently going down the rabbit whole of historical sewing. I am planning some Regency wardrobe items for a Jane Austen event. Thank you for inspiring me and also thanks to Noelle, Morgan, Bernadette & Co. You have all been very inspirational.
My 23 yr. old daughter has given up technology for lent. She said she had a very difficult time for the first few days. She still has to resist the temptation but she is having an easier time of it. She finds she is doing more creative things with her time. You always make sense. Thank you for sharing your insights.
This video really resonated with me. About three weeks ago I burnt out and suffered major health issues. In the beginning I could barely leave the bed for 5 minutes, I had so little energy. And while I have recovered and gained more energy in those three weeks since, I wouldn't say I've recovered more than about 40%. When you only have 40% energy (or less) you really have to start prioritizing what to do with your time. I found myself spending less and less time on my phone, and instead focusing more on my efforts on doing what I could to make life more enjoyable for me. I've focused on journaling, making my environment one I enjoy being in (i.e cleaning my room) and learning to have quiet moments with myself, nature, and a cup of coffee. While burning out was quite sudden, I'm actually glad it happened because it gave me the perspective of how much more I feel like myself when I don't get caught up in all these distractions. My physical health may not reflect it yet, but I genuinely feel like right now, I'm winning at life. I can't wait to see how much more I can achieve when my health is okay enough to manage personal projects in addition to the tasks I genuinely need to prioritize first. The greatest nugget of wisdom I've learned these past few weeks is that you don't have to do the entire Thing™️ in one sitting. It's okay to make gradual advancements over time. In the wee beginning it took me three days to fold my clean laundry. It took a while, but the task got done, and I was so proud of myself when I managed to do it all. I look forward to seeing how this mindset will affect all those other projects I never got around to before the burnout! Wonderful video Cathy! Thank you for bringing attention to this seemingly tiny thing that can massively change our lives. 💛
I have never had internet on my phone - just for calls /text... (archaic personality.) I have my pc plugged into my big telly and sew happily as I listen to your pearls of wisdom. When out and about, I daydream A LOT - Ideas bubble up and eventually find their way to my fingertips to be translated into magnificent dance costumes ... (even if I do say so myself :)
I've discovered that playing audiobooks and podcasts from my phone means I have nothing to engage my eyes or hands and so I can do tasks while listening and I work far better and for longer than I do otherwise
For the 40 days of Lent (Not 46 - I won't stress about those days), I decided to take one hour - hand write a letter to someone I care about and not have any mechanical noise at all - no phone, no Alexa, no washing machine, no mechanical noise. Period. I've written 8 letters. Out of those 8 letters, I have received 2 phone calls from people I hadn't heard from in a long time.
Thing 1: Your voice is healing. You started this video with your voice pitched at a whisper, but as you got more and more passionate I could hear the REAL Cathy talking to me. You have a wonderful 'real' voice. Thing 2: Sing it, my dear Sister. A while ago I had a revelation. I had a day off. I had no obligations. I had no plans. Nobody and nothing had any claim to my time. So I decided that day was to be spent catching up on things I enjoyed doing. I had a pattern to lay out, I had a bit of sewing to finish. There was a piece of jewelry to be made into something else, it was a series of pleasant little tasks to do. I even made a list. So, I decided to check my email (just in case) and then get on with it. By the time I had checked the email, looked into facebook, glanced at Instagram, etc., etc. my beautiful, golden day was GONE. Not one single thing on my list had a check mark next to it. Changes had to be made. So I posted that I wasn't going to be around as much any more. and if I missed something important on someone's page all they had to do was message me about it. NOT ONE SINGLE PERSON RESPONDED. They were all getting on with their lives on and offline just fine without me. Weaning oneself off the electronic world is a process. I've been actively at it for a year and I do backslide (Bless you, Cathy; you, Bernadette, Zack, and a small army of costume geniuses, history buffs, film critics, and literature aficionados still command huge blocks of my time. I've deiced you're all necessary because you stimulate and inspire me for my offline time. Have you seen Zack's first video yet?) I am always in the process of weaning myself from both my phone and my computer, and it IS a process. You don't suddenly decide that you're cutting the non-cord and that's that. Cold turkey doesn't work here. These days I set specific times when I will check emails and messages but most of the day LIVING. I do need my notifications owing to certain personal obligations, but I do not check everything all the time any more. Hearts to you.
None of my friends understand why I don't have any games on my phone, but I have a very addicting personality (as in I get addicted to things/behaviours very easily) and through so much trial and error I learned how to manage my phone hours. I don't have notifications and my phone has been on silent for 10 years. Even if you don't succeed 100% now you make it so much easier for future you not to fall into new bad habits. Try your best and make a true effort and I promise it will be enough!
I do this every morning while I am home schooling my children! I leave it on charge in my bedroom and don't think about it unless it rings. And it stays there until we are finished with our lessons, and are about to have lunch.
I live a life that usually only requires a cell phone for emergencies or grocery texts. My people know that I turn off my phone as soon as I get home from work, and it stays off until I arrive at work. We have a landline for emergencies. It's magnificent!
I'm "borrowing" my nephews this weekend. I notice that when they are around I have no idea where my phone is because we are living, doing things, creating memories. I need to do that when I'm home without them. Thanks for the challenge and inspiration.
The battery died in my phone and it took me 3 weeks to get it repaired and oh my lordy the things I got done without a phone in my life! I read books, I knitted, I painted, I drew, I went to the gym more, I looked out the window at the rain with a coffee, I sat in cafe's and watched the world go by with a real paper book, I got on top of all my house work and so much more! I was loving this but I had to get my phone repaired because my boys complained that they couldn't message me so last week I got it repaired which was much cheaper than a new whizz bang phone! So now my newly repaired phone lives in the depths of darkness that is the bottom of my hand bag so it's not in easy reach to look at and I love this but I do have a dreaded computer that I'm now only using when I have work to do (or to catch up with you and Bernadette :) ) and then turn off when as soon as I'm done so I can get up and do something else. Cheer's and thank you Cathy for all of your wonderful video's! k.
This is why I don’t have notifications for my social media or Messenger. I’m not addicted to my phone but I can get into rabbit holes when I’m on my desktop... there’s certainly room for improvement! Thank you, kind lady.
As someone who has been down the rabbit hole of the amazing projects of Bernadette Banner, Morgan Donner, Costuming Drama, Enchanted Rose Costumes (many others) and your lovely self, thanks for the timely reminder I really need to be writing my Masters essay!
I needed this video so badly! I have been working on my first ever hand sewn dress(well first garment I’ve ever sewn for that matter) and I’ve been struggling the past few days with the hem. Tomorrow is my day off so I’ll take your challenge and raise you one! I will not allow myself to look at my phone until I finish that damn hem! Thank you Cathy! You are a wonderful human being and your words empower me!
Cathy, once again you have hit the nail on the head! I was talking to a friend about this today. My friends all complain that they don't get the projects done and that they don't have time, but I then see them scrolling through mindless things on their phones and then wonder why I have made progress on a number of my goals already this year. Chipping away at the projects for a set amount of time each day, uninterrupted, is the only way in which I find progress. My goal this week.... to finish a quilt. I know exactly what I need to do and in total, I have about 10 hours of work to get it there.
I try to save as much of my weekends as possible for sewing/crafting/etc, and I can't tell you how many times I realize I've wasted the day allowing my phone or the internet to distract me. I innocently want to look up a technique or an answer and an hour or so later realize that I've fallen down a rabbit hole of quizzes, lists, and "research." It's made it harder to finish a project, when I've already found the next 20 I can't wait to start. I really do need to work on my self-discipline.
I've had ALL my notifications switched off for about two or three years now and it's truly a blessing! If there is something really urgent, people can still call me and this will go through and make a noise but everything else? I'll see it when I look at my phone, at the time *I* decide to do so.
We have always had the rule no tv at meal times because when the children were small their dinner would go cold while they sat watching whatever it was that caught their eyes on the screen. Then when phone became a thing it was no phones at the table. And we all stay at the table until everyone is finished. Sometimes we would still be at the table 2 hours later just chatting about our day. Now my children are grown they have carried this on into their own homes. I am so glad of this because it's good to interact with your family face to face at meal times. It seems to be happening less and less generally
I switched off notifications a few months ago and it really has made a difference. Now I am more aware of when I check my phone and I feel like I have more control over distractions.
I fully admit that my ideal day is video games :p to counteract that, I haven't had push notifications on any app since they were created, unless it's specific to an event ai am running, it is all "when I see it" :) this week my goal is to research how to restore 2 vintage singer machines :)
I accidentaly started your challenge today: i just don't know where I put it. And I was so shocked: in one hour i made french toast, one load of landury, i cleaned dishes i prepared another round of landury, and everything with toddler!
I accept your challenge Cathy! I read 50+ books a year and I don't have social media apps installed on my phone. Not sure how much of that is correlation or causation! I used to switch my phone off on Saturday night and not turn it on again until after lunch on Sunday, which was most pleasant. Unfortunately my medication has changed since then so I need alarms and set waking up times now and it isn't an option. I do however have an app that blocks university/work emails outside of office hours. You've inspired me to take back up my habit though of not using my phone at night lying down in bed. If it's important enough that it cannot wait until morning, it is important enough that I have to sit up and get unsnuggly! Thank you for always inspiring me to be my best self. I hope you don't read this because you're busy having phone detox time and winning at life instead!
I'm making my project finishing this book I've been working on for the better part of a month! my ADHD has gotten worse as I've gotten older, but it's nice to just sit down and read for an hour without the phone or laptop distracting me. Having all notifications turned off except phone calls and text messages is really helpful, too.
I put time limits on devices. I disabled messenger, I keep my video watching for a bit before bed. I refuse to be a slave to any type of media. I get nothing done and my life suffers. Unplug and get out and enjoy life!! Go for a walk, cook delish dishes, clean up the yard, get those projects done!! In spring and summer we garden up a storm and it's very therapeutic.
I spend seven days without touching a computer or going on the internet last year. It was a very relaxing experience, I managed to do a lot of things. It is surprising how few people actually missed me, and how few of them I missed.
I have come off facebook. I realised how addictive technology is and how peoples concentration is impacted. Using a computer, watching tv and listening to something else is not multitasking. It's spreading your brain power thinly. I love you tube it's taught me a lot. Now I have to work on my other distractions, get my time back and use it to create. I do like my phone as a camera though. Love the free hour. I have loads of things turned off on my phone. Now to concentrate on important things in my life.
I'm not usually a big fan of people saying hey get off your phone ( even if i'm not someone who is on my phone that much and completely agree that we should cut down our time on it, because it's usually said in a condescending way) but your video and the way you explained it all made me smile so much, and i feel like i know this big secret now
I started doing this about 6 months ago and got rid of a lot of social media; and I feel like the amount of anxiety and distraction goes drastically down.Lately I haven’t been good about it, and this was just the reminder I needed to give me a push to step away again💕 This coming week my goal is to do this homework of switching my phone off for an hour, and during that, I am going to work on my ufos (the things I got distracted from).
Fantastic! Thank you, Cathy. I've taught myself to leave my phone in my work bag or on the charger on mute until I go to work the next morning. My phone is for my safety whilst traveling or for me to make calls. I never wanted to be a slave to the phone. All my friends know to ring me during the work day. They're all used to it now. My big problem re UFOs is procrastination! I am so fearful of making a mistake that I end up not finishing the project. Oh to have the confidence to cut into that fabric or keep going and fix whatever it may be. It feels like stumbling in the dark so I leave the project unfinished. Still, I love this fabulous piece of advice. Thank you! Hugs and warm wishes from Down Under 🇦🇺😄
This is why I still have a flip phone. I miss out on a lot of apps, features, and fun, but.. I know I tend to go down rabbit holes, so limit my exposure to that temptation to time at my PC, where it has to fight against more serious stuff. Today, this video won ! Thank you.
When I go camping, I use that time as a 'cell phone holiday' where I just switch it off or go to places with no reception so I can't even be tempted to be distracted while enjoying nature. It's surprisingly hard to find friends that are willing to do the same so I haven't been able to go in awhile sadly so this little hour of freedom thing is a nice substitute.
It's funny you released this video today as I just happened to accidentally leave my phone at home when I went to work this morning. Disconnecting is kind of glorious, I often leave my phone on silent in the other room when I'm working on projects.
I was reading an article about the intentional addiction strategies corporations are using to keep us as occupied as much as possible with online shopping and social media. I always keep notifications off, but you’ve encouraged me to be even more mindful. Step away from the phone...
Great idea! Since I'm older than dirt, I've never fully embraced the phone or internet habit, so disengaging is pretty easy for me. But, you're right: social media, etc. is designed to keep us scrolling and checking -- feeding into our "fear of missing out" (FOMO) and making virtual life too important -- and causing us to miss out on actual life. As Ram Dass said, "Be. Here. Now."
I love the idea that that’s all it takes to win at life - it’s probably a little sad that it’s so true, but being conscious of what I am consuming through my phone and deciding how much is a good thing has been a challenge enough as an adult - I love having the world at my fingertips and being able to deep dive down the good rabbit holes - it’s when the phone is suggesting rabbit holes that aren’t actually giving me any benefit that it’s time to turn it off!!
Absolutely love this. I purposely left my phone home for an outing I had that took me away from home for 3 hours. BEST 3 HOURS EVER! I was soooooo focused and in the present! Highly recommended!
I have found recently that deleting social media apps for a few days has been really helpful for my well being... I haven't necessarily been productive with my projects but its helped with the guilt of not working on them. These projects aren't for social media the are for me.
Thanks for this! I have for years now, turned off all notifications for any social media on my phone. The anticipation of getting likes and comments was SO stressful. Boom, what a life changer!
If I hadn’t gone down the rabbit hole, I wouldn’t have found you. I understand what you’re saying. My husband and I like to go on cruises. When we board the ship phones go off and into the safe. It is so freeing. Thanks for sharing. Be safe & stay well.❤️
I have done a phone and internet detox a few times. I did it for 7 days straight, and then for a month i did have my phone switched off from 6pm to 10 or 11am. It was so liberating. Not only did i sleep better, my posture improved, i read more, did more art, was more present, and had a clear mind. And then something switched and i forgot how good it felt to be right here in the present moment and real world and i became tired, unproductive.... So yep, I could definitely see the huge difference it makes.
Hi Cathy, thank you for sharing your kind advice, it rang very true for me as someone who feels we spend too much time glued to our tech and worrying about fomo (which I don't get because I can leave my phone in another room much to the annoyance of someone trying to get in touch with me as if there is some major emergency lol). As for sewing, I've been in and out of love with it since I was a kid, wanting to be a designer, repairing a vintage shuttle bobbin hand turned Singer, at 11 and giving up on it. Later years borrowing old machines from a friend until I eventually got now 3 machines which have sat gathering dust, although intermittently doing bits of costume/dressmaking/alterations. I get discouraged easily with the craft, but when it goes well I get so much joy. There's a reason I still drift back to it, my room is stuffed with boxes of accumulated fabrics, haberdashery, books and more recently lots of youtube views on how to make sustainable clothing from charity shop finds. There's work to be done here, I have to get some small "wins", this sewing affair won't go away! Again, thanks for the timely encouragement to keep going, be gentle on ourselves, allow the solutions to be learnt through trial and error and celebrate the joy of the craft however it turns out .
Being in a place with really terrible/no internet has definitely been affecting me, and this video feels really timely. It’s just now I’m in Paris where there are very few places with WiFi in that aren’t school, and the WiFi in the house I’m inhabiting isn’t good enough to support Instagram to a non-frustrating capacity, which means I’ve ceased the hour(s) I could spend on it. It’s really made me reassess the way I use my phone in daily life, what it means to my life, and how I can best spend my time. Thank you for this video crystallising to this effect.
A few years ago my lady wife and I did a week with no screens. No phones, laptops, TV, ipad, nothing. We got 30 minutes a day to check our email and make sure nothing was burning down - no bills going unpaid or friends or fam having emergencies, etc. Cathy, I can't tell you how much we got done that week. We sat on the deck and drank beer while the sun when down, we walked the dog, we tended our garden, cleaned our house, decluttered, cooked, (had sex!) -- It was divine. Also, it brought up SO MUCH -- I started journaling again - mostly writing down the ideas I was having (instead of going immediately to Pinterest) and the things I wanted to "Google" - I was THINKING about things, rather than just following impulses into their corresponding app. This sounds -- whatever -- but I had the feeling of having woken up, like "oh! THIS is my actual life! Hello!" Thanks for sharing the challenge. I always get to the end of your videos and write out my adoring comment to tell you how special you are to me and how much I appreciate you and your insights. But I always end up erasing my comments because there's really no way (that I have found yet) to tell a perfect stranger those things without sounding like an internet psycho. Like, really, is there any way to SQUEEE about someone TO that someone and not be alarming? If so, please insert that sentiment and appropriate order of words here. Because you and your approach to yourself are so inspiring and PRODUCTIVE at lovingly challenging my approach to myself, and it has been tremendously valuable. Thanks for that. :)
I'd already put my phone on silent. It started out as a dodge to avoid someone who I am no longer friends with (which was a blessing) but it's morphed into a way of life for me (which is also a blessing). The only notification dings I hear are if I set a timer for something or an alarm. I do need to get started on writing more this year as I'd promised myself and I think your idea of keeping the phone in my bedroom while I write for an hour (or longer) is truly brilliant. I can't wait to see the results!
Yes! I’ve been noticing more and more people not even looking up as they walk and I’ve been worrying about my daughter turning into a person that, like me, has created a sort of odd co-dependency with their phones. So, we made a phone docking station at our house. Nothing fancy, just a hole drilled in the back top of an old bookcase. We pull our chargers through the hole and challenge ourselves to not touch the phones unless we get a call or text. It’s been really eye opening! Thank you for your videos, I appreciate them so much, they always bring an amazing sense of calm and confidence. ❤️
I'm a musician and I'm attending a college where we have practice rooms. When I was actually a music major I seem to remember practicing involved an awful lot of phone use.... but now that I'm not, I usually head to a practice room for the odd hour between class and lunch, etc. For that hour, I sometimes never open my phone. I can't lie and say I don't touch it, because I do keep it on the piano to check the time. But it wouldn't be a stretch for me to turn it off entirely. I do tend to use it for referencing lyrics or notes on a piece I'm working on or the occasional lead sheet, but I find that I spend a lot more time practicing now than I ever did when I actually had things to practice!
I love having my notifications off. Not because it's less distracting, but because when I do get on my phone I have like 30 and it's more fun to go through them all at once rather than every 10 seconds. Only my ringer and my "someone is trying to deliberately talk to me" is activated.
Such a lovely reminder, thank you, dear Lady Hay! That was exactly what I needed to hear today. I've broken free of the need to constantly check my phone, so my next challenge is to go one day a week without it. What I do struggle with is going down those rabbit holes when I AM using it. Even if it started out as something productive, it's so easy for me to get distracted and lose track of my focus. So I do my best to practice mindfulness when on my phone. Asking myself "Why am I opening this app? Do I have a specific reason to do so?" Or when compelled to click on another RU-vid video I'll ask "Do I actually want to watch this? Will this enrich my life? Is it useful?" Because so often the answer to all those is a big NO. Another way I avoid the rabbit holes is that when I am in the middle of a project and I think of a thing I need to do or look up on my phone, I will instead make a note of it on paper to get back to later. That eliminates the interruption to my work flow and alleviates the anxiety that I might forget to do the thing later.
