Earlier this year I choose SIMPLE as my word for 2014. Another good word is “SIMPLIFY” because that’s really what I am trying to do.
You can read the original post here. It was about going back to the days when life was simpler. A life that had a slower pace, less cell phone and emails. Since we are a third into the year I decided to do an update.
I have yet to move into a cave and go off the grid (although there are many days when that sounds lovely) but I have succeeded in setting stricter boundaries when it comes to my iPhone, email and social media.
I often leave my phone at home while I go on a hike or walk. I also don’t answer my phone while in the grocery store or while talking to someone. Those are practices and etiquette rules I have always used.
However, I got into the bad habit of checking emails and Facebook first thing in the morning (and we all know we tend to get stuck on there and then a half hour will pass by) and then almost obsessively throughout the day. I realized I spent way too much time on my phone. Hence, the longing for the good ol’ days before smart phones, emails and the internet.
What changed? I implemented 3 changes.
1. I don’t check my phone in the morning. There are times when I know I’m expecting an email but once I have checked that email my phone is off limits again. I ignore it. It took some discipline at first but now I can easily ignore the phone knowing I have notifications, texts and emails. I enjoy my mornings reading, writing and exercising instead of being sucked into my phone.
We somehow survived before smart phones. We can definitely survive an hour or two without it. Ignore the phone and go exercise instead. Read. Play with your kids. Engage in human conversations. Set phone use boundaries.
2. I unsubscribed to all emails that I would immediately delete. Instead of being lazy and just delete the email I took the thirty seconds it took to unsubscribe. I don’t have kids but somewhere along the way I signed up for Toys r’ Us. I had too many of those kind of emails.
What emails do you receive that you no longer even open? Reduce your inbox by unsubscribing and not getting those emails in the first place.
3. I set time limits for social media when I’m on a computer. Now this one is hard when it comes to your smart phone because it’s so easy to check. When I’m trying to focus on something I turn my phone to Airplane mode.
The Airplane mode is a great way to block emails, text, phone calls and not have access to social media. The great thing about Airplane mode is that you still have access to the camera, calendar and notes.
For now that’s all I have changed and my life already feels so much simpler. I’m being more productive too. Next I’m working on becoming a ‘zero inbox’ person, implementing computer free days and planning for a digital detox to reduce the digital noise and simplify my life even more.
What tips do you use (or think of trying) for reducing digital noise in your life?
I love this! The time suck that is Facebook has thrown me off kilter more than one morning. Airplane Mode is a great solution (I need my calendar and then I’m into messages and texts and….). I don’t allow myself to look at FB in the afternoon until I have written my daily post…. at least, that’s the plan. Implementation is a whole ‘nother story 🙂
a/b
Thanks! It’s not always easy to implement but for me setting boundaries in the morning made a huge difference. Great idea to not be allowed on until that post is written…
These are brilliant ideas! I love them, and need to practice them more.
I listened to Michael Hyatt’s podcast about making ourselves unavailable, and I loved that as well – you should listen to it!
Thanks! Still work in progress. I love the idea that Michael Hyatt has about being unavailable. It’s so easy to be stretched thin if we don’t set certain boundaries in place, and learn how to say no.
I need to work on unsubscribing from sooo many emails! Really like this list!
It’s amazing how many email lists we end up on throughout the years. Glad you like the list!
Great job, Camilla! I do the first 2 but definitely need to get better at limiting my social media time when I’m on the computer!
Corie Clark recently posted…Are You Complicating Your Health & Fitness?
Thanks Corie! Love the Simplicity Project you are doing. Inspiring! Social media is hard as it’s also part of how we stay connected now. Always a feeling of FOMO.
This is a great list! I hate how I’m “checking FB for a couple minutes” and it turns in to an hour. EECCK! I may have to implement your list in my own life!
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Thanks! It’s so easy to lose an hour checking FB. Setting a timer is a great way to limit your time. I set mine usually for 15 minutes and when it rings, I log off. Try it out!
I’m bad about the phone being the first thing I check in the morning as it’s plugged in and stays next to my pillow playing a fan noise at night. I can’t turn the app off without seeing notifications. Then…20min later I finally get out of bed. It’s so difficult to see them and not check!
Oh, that would be hard as it functions as your fan noise too and it’s right there. Sometimes those apps work while in Airplane mode but not always. At least you get the notifications out of the way first thing in the morning 🙂
I love the idea of using airplane mode more often, I always want to take pictures but then email/social media suck me. And I use unroll.me where it hides all my junky mail into a separate folder, I need to add more subscriptions to it.
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The airplane mode is my favorite since it still gives access to the camera. Great too when traveling to block the texts, emails etc. I’ve heard of unroll.me but never looked into it. Thanks! Sounds like a nice way to reduce incoming junk.
I love these! I utilize the do not disturb feature on my phone a lot for this, but know I could benefit from not checking it in the morning and at bedtime!
Jennifer Kaufman recently posted…Find your place.