Every Addiction Can Be Cured and So Is The Smartphone One

Not just once have I found myself unlocking my smartphone and randomly opening apps, from twitter to internet browser, shopping apps and of course Steem with no purpose at all, just because... Sometimes that starts from a notification but sometimes is just something unconsciously. It's like my smartphone is in control of my mind and not vice versa.

I have acknowledged the addiction a smartphone can trigger for years but haven't really done anything about it. I have had my attempts over the years of loosing up a bit my connection with the phone but with no success at all. I was still using Instagram and Facebook and that was practically impossible because they're designed to "enslave one's mind" for hours. Now I'm "clean" of these so why not go further.

Being part of Steem is much more than blogging, commenting, upvoting and getting upvoted. Sometimes you get inspired to do much more than this and this inspiration may change something outside the platform as well. About a week ago @mariusfebruary wrote about his experience of living offline for a weekend, which is perfectly doable in my opinion, but not an option for me right now. However, reading his post and looking a bit at my smartphone that almost always is at a hand length away from me I created my own challenge. Something I should have done for years.

It's not really a challenge but more a change in behavior. I decided to transform my smartphone in just a communication and useful tool rather than a media oriented one dedicated to waste my time. Thus I simply rejected the instinct of opening all sort of apps and wasting time on them like I rejected the instinct to eat meat when I was vegetarian. You just have to decide for yourself and not let a piece of tech do that instead. Is that simple and totally in our control.

I am answering calls, whatsapp messages, Steem comments or replies, I am searching on google any piece of info that I need but I do that consciously. I don't become a smartphone zombie anymore when the screen is unlocked and it's not hard at all. I haven't used any app to "cure this" and probably never will, although I know they exist. It's just a strong will power to take back control over my time. Moreover my smartphone's battery benefits from this behavior as well.

Feel free and try it for yourself and you should see the difference, or at least try to witness how many hours you can waste in one day "doing nothing on a smartphone". Don't get me wrong, I am not denying tech and its use cases and neither I would give up on my smartphone. I love it. I just deny it controlling my hands, brain and attention. There are things much more worthy to give your attention in one day than your smartphone. As shinny and inviting as it may be.

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Thanks for attention and have a great day!
Adrian