The life-changing gadget that broke my phone addiction. 

I was thinking of creating my own version of a lock box just by putting my phone in a pencil box from the dollar tree with a label on top that lists relaxing activities to do instead like take a bath, stretch, read a book, etc. that redirects me to better choices 😃

we've come to a point that the newest phone is "simple" phone - we've come full circle

I went to a professional baseball game last summer. The camera on the big screen takes random shots of the audience. I don't know if it was intentional but during this one break it highlighted moms sitting on their phones while their kids are trying to get their mom's attention because the were excited to see their pictures on the big screen at the ball park. Exciting right?!! None of the dozen or so moms even looked up. I was embarrassed for them. I can't imagine spending the money for the tickets and not making the most of that family time.

I basically never comment, but feel compelled to simply because of the negative noise here. Great video, I appreciate what you brought to the table here. The internet can be a wild place, not that you need a strangers validation, but here's a gold star from me ⭐

It's GREAT to hear a younger person (than me 60) talking about this phone addiction and giving practical things to help manage phone time. I'm not addicted to my phone. I can have it sitting next to me and not pick it up all day, even to answer it. But, I do feel concern about the many people I see who can't seem to put it down. Parents ignoring their children, couples sitting opposite each other not talking; I just went out for coffee with friends and their phones were ringing and bleeping every few minutes and we had to constantly stop talking until whatever it was got attention. I don't think people realise how damaging it can be. Thanks for this very helpful video.

I just forwarded this to all my family members. I am so guilty of this. I use my phone to decompress after work but find being on it, it’s suddenly 10:00 and I’ve got nothing done and my husband and I have just sat on the sofa scrolling mindlessly. Best video! Thank you so much! I’m going to get us a box!!!!

Ten minutes into this video, I opened my phone and started deleting apps. Thanks for the reminder.

The analogy that it's like a slot machine is brilliant! It's super sad to go out to eat and see everyone at a table on their phones and not talking. Anytime I see people together and all on their phones, I imagine each on a 1990s desktop computer sitting in front of each person. It would look so ridiculous and would never happen, but bc the phone or "mini computer" is small it can go unnoticed. My friend has a basket at her house that she asks everyone to put their phones in when we come over. If someone ends up on their phone scrolling, then she asks why they came over if they weren't going to be with those there. She'll even ask if she needs to leave when she's somewhere else with someone who is constantly on their phone somewhere else. Super bold but honest when it's apparent the phone is more "important" to the person than being truly present with those they're around.

I did a phone/social media detox for six months earlier this year, essentially for the same reasons like I felt distracted and/or crappy on days when I was working and researching around my kids most of the day, wanted to be more present around my kids, husband, and myself, and IT WAS AMAZING. Now I just leave my phone on the counter or in my bedroom. I set alarms like 10 minutes before a meeting or a minute before I'm expecting a call so that I have reminders. Also deleted a bunch of social media apps from my phone unless I use it for work or school; PRO TIP leave a notepad nearby or in your pocket w/a small pen so when you think of groceries or things that you need to check LATER, just write it down and then do those tasks when you have allotted that time (I'll check during naps or when I'm on a call or when the kids are in bed). It's so satisfying to check off those tasks all at once during less hectic parts of the day and not feel guilty or that I missed anything because I chose to be present with my family or organized time for work in block times of the day.

I’ve started this thing where if I am spending time with someone and we’re talking… if I’m speaking and they go in their phone I stop speaking until they give me their attention back. I’ve had some people act like I’m the rude one… but they’re the ones scrolling while we were trying to have a conversation…

I love this idea! My issue isn’t the phone, irony alert!, it’s RU-vid! Total rabbit hole for me. I’ll need a bigger box….

This is true for me. I quit wearing a watch cause my phone told me the time. Well I've gone back to wearing a watch. It keeps me from picking up the phone to see the time, then getting completely completely distracted.

I am Sabbath Observant and we don't use phones, TV, or any other devices on Saturdays. It seems like so limited, but it is the best day of the week for me. Also, we see more friends on Sabbath than we do the other 6 days of the week combined because we make plans in advance with people and actually are present. I think the principle of having a day a week without the phone is a really mentally healthy one, regardless of what religion someone is, but i am really grateful for the religious structure of the Sabbath.

Thank you for saying this out loud ! I think it’s so rude when I hang out with people and instead of trying to talk to me they are on their phones ! Definitely doesn’t make me want to hang out with them. So many of us are addicted! I have also been guilty of this. I want to work on this for myself

The thing that I notice when I'm trying not to use my phone, is how often I go to pick it up. It's like a little sting each time saying...ohhh, this makes sense now. You can check how much time you spend on apps in your settings. That was a REAL eye opener. Thanks for the suggestions!

I haven't been on social media since 2009! only RU-vid on a laptop, i use my phone as a phone for calls and texts, people in my family think i'm weird but i notice how stressed they are compared to me, strange that is!

Good reminder. I take Sabbaths away from social media and i always enjoy them. Scrolling just fills in all the empty spots in a way that feels good in the moment but somehow takes up way more time then i would have guessed. Getting bored is so useful for remembering all the other stuff i like to do.

This is a very timely video! My husband and I just started leaving our phones on top of the fridge once we were together and I've been trying my best to do it when I'm at home with my son. Its embarrassing how addicted we've become to our phones, but it just takes recognizing that and making small steps to breaking the tech dependence!

If you're bored and stuck waiting somewhere, being glued to your phone is perfect for killing time. But unless you're truly just relaxing with nothing else to do it really robs your attention and makes you procrastinate like crazy.

Kellie, thank you for this video. I'm 67 yrs old, and I feel the same way as you do at the end of the day. I have been addicted to my phone now since June 2022 when we moved with our daughter and her family and I had, what I thought, no purpose since all of my sewing, quilting, and craft supplies were packed and stored in her garage. They are still there! I now volunteer 2 days a week, and on those days, I feel much better at the end of the day. Thank you so much again for this video, I have shared it with my daughter in hopes she will be able to spend more time with her children.

The fact that you're talking about using our phones less as we sit here on our phones watching you! 😂 Love your vids! ❤️

I’m gonna use mine every minute I want to. It’s everything: phone, text, encyclopedia, dictionary, weather, contacts, games, shopping, bill payer, camera, news, movies, videos…

This is what I do with this monster: I leave it home when I go out. When people have heard this (they're accustomed to it now) I've had them say "What if you're attacked and knocked unconscious or killed? You can't call anyone for help...." Uh....well unconscious or dead...phone's not much help. The other thing is people cannot manage for themselves so someone not available forces other people to resolve their non problems by themselves. Great video.

This is the best video you’ve made! The feeling of SHIT is appropriate.

Smart watch helped me for sure. I wanted to stay connected for safety and family needs, and having one helps me put my phone away but remain available if necessary.

I read How to Breakup With Your Phone earlier this year when I started realizing how much it distracts me, and I haven’t acted on it other than installing the ScreenZen app and blocking social media and Amazon for most of the day. Might be a good 2024 resolution for me to go through the 30 day process in that book. Thanks for reminding me lol

I actually really love this. I’m trying to work on my screen time. To the point that I have set limits on social media apps. Mostly to combat the mindless scrolling. The main thing I’m working on now is my mobile game obsession. I get sucked in so easily to them. It’s so tough sometimes.

I love this and am so glad you shared! I have 4 children and was tired of them having to compete with me for my phone. I was also tired of the distractions and things I would see that would make me absent from my family for the day because it was a mentally/emotionally exhausting post or content. I got rid of all social media over a year ago and it’s been one of the best decisions I made last year for myself and my family! Mentally freeing and time better spent has been just a portion of the rewards gained! Just enjoy a few creators on RU-vid now!

I deliberately put off getting a smartphone for this very reason. I have ADHD, which means my brain tends to seek stimulation by default, and it makes me (and other ADHD-ers) really susceptible to addictive behaviors. I know that aspect of myself too well to treat this lightly. When I finally was more or less forced to get a smartphone, due to upgrades in technology, I made a point not to install any apps. I talk and text on my phone, and that is pretty much it. I make it clear to people I communicate with that I don't always respond immediately when contacted, if I am busy doing something else, and they're all fine with that. I truly don't feel I've lost any degree of quality of life from making this decision, and when I see videos like this one, it just reaffirms that I made the right choice. I'm glad there are items out there that help people with this particular challenge, and I hope people will take it seriously. We shouldn't have our lives ruled by a device. Life is meant to be lived, not glanced at out of the corner of our eye as we scroll through a feed.

I've followed you for some tone and never commented any video. Now I feel this one video can be lifechanging. You describe exactly what happens to me when I am around my kids with the phone. What happens to our family. And the solutions you offer on that video - This is something that actually can work. Thank you! This brings so much hope!

This is a double thumbs up for this video!😊

So true! I think our kids appreciate the actual undivided attention they get when parents aren’t staring at our screens all the time. Even my cat wants me to look at her when she crawls up on my lap wanting to be loved on. Eye contact is huge! I’m addicted to a few games I have on my phone.

There are some blessings to being older. I hardly ever even know where my phone is when I’m at home. It drives my kids crazy, but we have a land line, so they can still find me if they need to. My two year old granddaughter actually told her mom the other day ,”put your phone on the shelf, please, mommy”. Great video. I plan on sharing with my kids.

I've already started plugging my phone in across the room at night and I feel like that has helped my sleep so much so next step is putting my phone away during the day as well to be mindful on how I am spending my time. Great video with ideas on how to accomplish this.

I just bought that first lockbox you mentioned when I saw your last video that youeed it in. Things have been pretty busy since I got it, so I haven't been able to ise it beyond checking out how it works. I don't think there's a way to jailbreak it, though. Nothing in the directions said, anyway. 😅 Don't you worry about the people who are upset about your swearing. I don't know what it is about being mothers that makes some of us more prudish. I think it was fine. It was effective enough to tell us how you were feeling about it without coming up with a flowery euphamism. You don't swear in your other videos because there's no need to swear in them. You wanted to prove a point. So you're fine. You're just a regular mom like most of us.

Daily you need your phone for all reason like watching the news ,log in into your bank account,look at what time is it,youtube and more

I heard about light phone back in 2015. My husband thought it, and I was crazy. I think he’s now changed his mind (to be fair) at the time the light phone was still a kickstarter type item so he was skeptical. And there were still kinda some dumb phones being sold (10 years ago was already a different time🤯😳). And I heard about Aro a couple months back on the 1,000 hours outside podcast. I’m pretty sure we going to get one. I just love that it has tracking of the time in the box and it’s not a lock box. I started detoxing myself from my phone in fall of 2020. I just used my stats, one of my proudest days I was only on my phone for like 1 hour.

Great Video! Believe it or not my New Years resolution for the past 3 years was to use my phone less and I have been unsuccessful. I think I'm going to go back to a flip phone, I'm embarrassed at the amount of time I spend on my phone. It really is ridiculous. Thanks for this video.

Yes ma'am! I'm in the same boat with you. I've recently been on the phone detox mission. It's gradual but I have un-installed most social media off my phone and I feel so much better. I only subscribed to a select few youtubers (including your channel) so I'm only watching things that add actual value to my life and don't make me feel shitty.

Thank you for this video, it was encouraging. I’ve went phoneless before and it was such a relief to not be connected 24/7. There’s really freedom in distancing somewhat from the convenience and “comfort” of a device.

Thank you! Since I am kinda 'on call' for a lot of family and animal rescue it would be tough for me to use the lock box. However, I just deleted the three apps from my phone I use the most that drain my time. Everyone can find a solution to help reduce 'bad' screen time. Thanks for the kick in the pants! I needed it.

Consumerism is as problematic as phone addiction. I agree with you, I feel worse when I mindlessly scroll. It's a sick addiction. To me, it's more satisfying to not buy a $100 box, but instead just use willpower and put the phone away. It is empowering to be free from the phone and to stop buying useless crap.

I learned to use my phone a lot during the pandemic. I had never texted before that disaster. I found most of my Catholic prayers on RU-vid. And I enjoy people like you; I am subscribed to several channels I enjoy, but not all. As a single person since my husband's passing it gets lonely at night, so I will watch a video or two because it's like the person is talking to me and it cuts the loneliness. I enjoy seeing you and your children; it brightens my day.

This is my favorite so far of your videos. I'm so inspired. Thank you

Thank you for making this. It’s so needed today.

Thank you for covering this and discussing the alternatives to phone addiction!

LOVE THIS! JUST LOVE THIS! THANK YOU. Blessings to you and your beautiful family. Thank you for all that you share. YOU are appreciated.

Wow thanks for sharing all of this information and being honest and vulnerable! This is what I needed!! 😘

Thank you so much! This is so true! I'm never happy when I realized I've fallen down the rabbit hole of videos! Love the box strategy! Hope you have a great day!

This really spoke to me. Thank you for INSIGHTFUL content.

This is the best video I had seen in a long while. Love your sincere thoughts. ❤

Yes.....I agree....it is scary......we spend to much time looking at stupid silly things then in real life. I have been telling my husband that he does not realize how much time he spends on the phone playing games, watching silly videos etc....

Love this ❤. So important to figure out self control with phones. I hate what phones cause people to do.

This was brilliant Kallie, so insightful. I will definitely be making some changes regarding my phone usage.

This is so important!!! It makes me sick whenever we are out doing something or at an event and I see everyone constantly taking pictures/ videos. Put the phone away and just enjoy the moment. Your present memories are far more important!

I love it!!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing :). Love from Ania from Poland

Most relatable video you’ve ever done! I’m going to try this!

I’ve been very aware of my addiction to my phone and iPad for a while now. When I was still teaching (I recently retired) it was a battle to get the students to put their phones down and it was really frustrating. I think it has shortened my attention span as well, bc I used to be able to stay focused on something for really long periods of time, but now I find that more difficult. I need more frequent “breaks.” Very helpful video!

GREAT suggestions! Thank you so much!!!

“Keeping myself entertained to get to the bedtime routine” yes. I relate to this and it’s not how I want to be at all!

Yes! I do a lot of photo and video editing, so I'm already staring at a screen a lot. I've done so many things to help me stay off my phone...including trying a dumb phone. That just made me realize how much I use my phone for really helpful things. So I love the lockbox to keep me from reaching from the phone habitually. I like doing one or two full days without my phone. I'm pretty good about staying off my phone when others are around (unless I'm already on it when they walk in), but I love your idea of locking it up for a few hours each day, especially when I'm trying to focus on being productive! Thank you for your videos!

Love this. Will pass this on. May be giving the box as a present!!!

Love this video, we all need to work on this, family time is becoming a thing of the past. Congrats on your success staying away from the phone. ❤❤❤❤❤

Really a Great message! Thank you!

Thank you for this recommendation!!

I saw this and couldn't remember where. I'm glad I found this again. Thanks for sharing this info.

Thank you for this!!

This is such a good idea! Thanks!

This video is such a blessing. I really needed this information. Thank you! May God bless you!😊

110% love this. Thank you.

Thanks! You put in words something I was feeling.

You can change whether or not you get notifications in individual apps. On iPhones there's "do not disturb" mode and "downtime" that you don't get any notifications at all while it's on. You can also set limitations on apps. Deleting Facebook, RU-vid, and Amazon off my phone helped me.

I needed this. Thank you! I have noticed I spend a lot of time on it

This video just encouraged me to remove 10 apps from my phone. It's a start. Thank you. 💙

I watched lot of your videos and helped me a lot to point out my struggles you speak right exactly what I have I say to myself, but I kept going back to the bad habit just because it's so easy. I'm learning a lot from you. I'm looking forward to watch more of videos its very helpful especially in my daily life.

Very helpful video new subbie thanks for sharing luv much love always 💕💕💕

I have bought a phone lock box recently and I've definitely seen a reduction in my usage.

I love this video! I’ve been thinking about how much I’m on my phone and how addicted I feel to social media. This was very helpful. I want to break the habit and you answered my question on why I need to do something else as I’m watching tv for example. And it’s because I want that extra dopamine. I’ll keep my phone in the room in a drawer and see how that helps. Thank you !

I think it is sad to see families in restaurants all on their phones and not interacting with each other 😢

Great video! You put lots of thought into a hot topic that needs shouted to most of the world. At one point I had a personal phone and a work phone which often felt like a ball and chain. Retired now and so happy to have freedom from any phone! I keep it close in case of emergencies (older moms). I am guilty of watching videos on RU-vid! LOL

This video is very informative for most of us! Thank you!

Love this. I put a time limit on my favorite apps and also use the focus mode so it blocks all the distractions but I can still use to work.

This is fantastic! Thank you for sharing.

Thanks for another great video!

I have been struggling with phone addiction....thank you for this video....as for the cussing, TOTALLY useful for this video!

This is absolutely wonderful ❤ I use my phone a lot during the day to get through work (listening to podcasts/videos) and of course with two kids in school, gotta make sure I’m not missing something from school. But I do my absolute best to keep it up when my kids are home and my work day is done. I don’t keep social media on my phone though either. I know I could do much better.

The comment that we can’t just watch a movie anymore but have to look at phones too hit home. I have to make a conscious effort not to look at mine and try to keep a craft in my hand or solely focus on the tv. I’ve noticed older shows and movies are slower and harder to hold attention these days. Sometimes I get so consumed by the need to consume content - listen to podcasts/audiobooks when I do boring tasks, have RU-vid on while knitting, etc that it seems I can’t just do one thing anymore and my brain feels all jumbled up . I do put my phone on work focus and sleep focus but when I’m at work I need my phone on me at all times because I’m always worried about the kids’ school calling. But I like the lockbox for evening times to set it aside and be present. Or to do other activities that are relaxing.

I really appreciated this video. I have a desk job so I’m on screens 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. So when I get home, the LAST thing I want to do is stare at my phone. I simply put it down and don’t look at it unless I absolutely need to. I have also been slowly working on unfollowing things on Facebook so I can eventually not be on it anymore.

So glad this is something people are sharing. I have gotten so much flack because I leave my phone in my garage when I go into my house. I go in because there are things to do and doing normal everyday things has always been done without some form of phone-tainment. I go check it every so often but it's just kind of a hassel to shlep it every single place. When I'm with someone, typically my phone never comes out unless someone is calling me. It's great to snap pictures with from time to time but even then it makes the world more self absorbed - the new generations are now called the "selfie gen" its true. I don't know if any other generation of people who are all about themselves like the selfie/social media types. Was a big risk for you to post this being that you kind of depend on people getting a "hit" from watching your channel. RU-vid is a big one for me. It's tempting to scroll until I find something interesting. Yet I see it's a real time thief. It's really weird when my daughter started texting and it was a relatively new thing, I said, "why don't you just call? It's faster" and swore I'd never text to say what my mouth was made for. Lol, famous last words, and now my husband and I were just talking about how we both hate the thought of making calls now. The depersonalzatiin of these things is frightening. Most people say they are "more social" because of their phone but it's not true. There's something about the physical world that makes life - alive. Cyber world came and everyone started decorating in greys, blacks, and whites...neutral colors. Color has been relegated to the world of entertainment. There's so much of it, those neutral colors feel comfortable compared but it's the chaos of illusions that we really need a break from. There ONLY thing that's white is my walls. (Ceiling) I have blue in my laundry closet to cheer me up as I hate both the location and the chore. Otherwise my furniture it popping with blue and my rugs compliment that calm. There's colorful sparkle, real life sparkle in my home and outside. My phone may offer fake spectrum but I prefer what God made and how He made it. We're meant to use our mouths to talk and see body language and be in people's physical presence. Social media is lame compared. I remember thinking how sad it is when we'd see a whole family eating out at a restaurant and they would all be on their phones. If it's that way outside it's that way at home. Everyone should have a no TV, no phone rule for dinner time. Great post, thanks! Smiles and blessings

I used the accessibility settings to turn my phone and tablet screens to grayscale. I find it helps reduce the attraction to the devices and makes it easier to disengage.

This was an eye opener. Thank you ❤

Thank you for the reminder. We can be robbed of time with others.

Great recommendations! I’m due for a phone detox, too.

🥂 cheers to you!!! This needed to be said. It’s a crying shame and I am guilty of it as well.

I bought a fancy pixel watch for this exact reason! I can turn my phone off and still be reachable if there is an emergency at my kids' school.

Thank you! I need to do this!

Yes I too feel like SHIT when I realize that I was on my phone too long! 🫣

This popped up randomly in my feed, but I needed to hear it. I recently set screen time limits for social media on my phone and it gives me weekly summaries with average screen time. I was shocked at how much time I was spending online, even with limits. Pre-pandemic I wasn'ta big phone user. Friends would message me and it might be a day before I'd even see it. Now it seems to have taken the place of social interaction and hobbies.

Word girl. We all need to disconnect more. Realize lot of people got rid of landlines. I still have one. Easier to walk away from cell phone. My family knows if I dont answer cell phone, call my landline🙏

I have been putting my phone in my ealk in closet to charge and many days i forget i havent checked my phone. I agree with you about feeling like shit and having it directly linked to being on the phone too much. Google sends me weekly updates on my phone usages and i love when it keeps going down and down. Anyways! Love your video! Thanks for posting it!