Apps to tame digital addiction
Fighting fire with fire
Hi there,
I turned a year older on Friday: “Don’t misuse your life” is good advice. Is this a good use of my life? Yes, yes, yes. Is this a good use of your life?
Five things to share:
Before there were more days spent offline and outdoors, there were the apps that helped me tame my digital addiction: SelfControl, DF Tube, and iOS Restrictions. Okay, DF Tube and iOS Restrictions are not apps but they work! Anyway, these “apps” have been monumental in radically transforming my relationship with technology. When the addictive sites are blocked and inaccessible, I magically find more rewarding and satisfying things to do, from the little things like doing the dishes to big things like writing more.
If you have any doubt about the benefits of nature for our wellbeing, read The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative by Florence Williams. It investigates the science behind nature’s positive effects on our brain and its restorative benefits. Funny how much money and research goes into trying to scientifically prove that nature is good for us. All the prove we need is right outside.
Thanks to SelfControl, I have blocked YouTube for the rest of the week, oops, so here’s a wonderful podcast episode from Hidden Brain instead: This is Your Brain on Ads. It explores how media, tech, and entertainment companies hijack our attention. I mean, how can you not click on How Many Rubber Bands Does It Take To Explode A Watermelon? (I hope it’s the right link— going off Google preview here).
A quote I want to share with you:
Calvin: Look at all the starts! The universe just goes out forever and ever!
Hobbes: It kind of makes you wonder why man considers himself such a big screaming deal.
— Bill Watterson
Distractions have become so pervasive in the digital age that we have come to accept them as normal, but we can escape their grip and free our minds. Read how in The Attention Diet.
That’s all for this week!
Thank you for reading, and please share with anyone you think may benefit.
time spent offline is now a monthly analog publication you can get delivered straight to your mailbox with 20 ideas every month.
Until next time,
Mehret
"Dear Apple, I know you were thinking about the children and parental control when you released Screen Time, but this grown-ass woman thanks you from the depth of her being. Thank you." From your larger piece, but still. Absolutely wonderful. I had to switch back to the MP02 because I still found the "allure" of the iPhone distracting, but yes. My screentime was minimal when I locked it all down. Crazy the lengths we have to go to get our time back!