This was such an interesting book to read, especially as someone who relies on their smart-phone a lot. There were lots of practical tips, and even a challenge to try a digital detox over 30 days. The key message is not around technology being bad, but how we can use it to have a more fulfilling life rather than constantly feeling like we need to be connected.
Step 1 set rules
Step 2 spend 30 days detoxing
Step 3 decide which apps to return to
Smart phone usage is a huge driver of anxiety, especially in this “always on” culture, as we experience ‘solitude deprivation’.
Social Media and Texting
- Stop using the like button
- Make more time for real conversations, not mere social media connections
- Batch your texting time – use DND [do not disturb] and access your messages at designated times
- Texting is great but shouldn’t replace real conversation
- Conversation “office hours” – set designated times that your family and friends know you are available
What to do in your leisure time
- Prioritise demanding activity (crafting) over passive consumption (Netflix)
- Craft eg computer programming, guitar, renovation
- Derive meaning from higher value work
- Need for inclusion, being part of a team
- Cross fit model – cheering each other on to surpass natural limits
- Mouse book club – mission: high quality leisure time to replace digital
- Fix or build something every week
Seasonal leisure time! Change up how you spend your free time depending on the season.
Create new habits eg 1 cultural event per week
“You can’t build a billion dollar empire like Facebook if you spend all your time on Facebook”
Their goal is to get you to use the app as long as possible!
If Facebook charged by the minute, how much time would you spend on it?
Your time is their money!
Tip: Have a goal for how you use social media. Dunbar limit = humans can only interact with 150 people socially
“Using social media for entertainment is a trap”
Digital *attention* economy
Social media companies are fighting for our attention. Think about how you manage your time: attention management, focus management, energy management. You can train yourself to be more focused.
The “dumb phone movement”, or switching over to old school phones for calling and texting only – it’s not as hard as you think, and not as hard as it used to be.
Important to remember
- Invest your time in things of higher value to you
- Use tech to support your values, not as a source of value in and of itself
- Think about the quality of your life
- A rejection of the way we use the Internet is not a rejection of the Internet itself – we can decide how and when we want to use those tools
