Need some help cutting down on screen time.
I'm really trying to cut down on my screen time but I have a pretty tough problem on my hands. I've tried tons of apps and workarounds. I've gone from actual screen time limits, to various screen time apps, all of which block the app from being used and allow…
I'm really trying to cut down on my screen time but I have a pretty tough problem on my hands. I've tried tons of apps and workarounds. I've gone from actual screen time limits, to various screen time apps, all of which block the app from being used and allow me to be in control. I've found one that I really like, as it does exactly what I want it do, which is that it allows me to set a timer, and when the timer is done, it blocks the apps. However, the problem with all of these apps (which is really a problem with IOS screen time software) is that when the apps are blocked, I don't get notifications. This is a big issue for me because while my biggest vice is Instagram reels (I don't even notice when it happens but I frequently end up scrolling), Instagram DMs is also my main communication with most of my friends, and most importantly, my girlfriend. I would like to know when she is trying to reach out to me while the app is blocked. Obviously we could just move to something like iMessage, but neither of us really want that, so ideally I want to find another way. I've also tried certain workarounds like setting up automations in the shortcuts app, both of my own design and from an app called ScreenZen. The problem with this is that they are not effective enough to block me from scrolling. The ScreenZen automation just sends me a notification that I usually don't even notice while I'm scrolling rather than actually closing the app. And I found that my own automation, which is one that sets a timer every time I open the app, ended up just being pretty annoying and ineffective and keeping me from scrolling, since I would just shut off the timer every time I opened the app by muscle memory. But I also like the idea of intentionally giving myself a certain amount of time to use the app, especially when I just want to text my girlfriend for a couple of hours in the evening. If anyone has any tips or suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Collected discussion
Instagram DMs is also my main communication with most of my friends, and most importantly, my girlfriend. Does Instagram have a separate app that is just for messages? For example, Facebook has Messenger that is just for messages. On my phone, I just use FB's Messenger app. I very barely use Facebook app on my phone. It's similar on pc, I just have a tab on fb/messages and rarely have to visit a FB page.
Unfortunately not :/
Yeah it's seeming as if I might have to continue to improve my willpower... thanks for the strategy! I'll try this out.
Yes I hope you try it. I don't always remember but when I do it cuts out screens quite effectively for me.
Great idea!!
Awesome!!! Great tips, I'm gonna check this out. Thank you!
No worries, hope something in there helps! :)
What works for me (after trying every imaginable app/journal idea to stop) is just looking at a clock and telling myself I'm not going to pick up the phone for the next hour unless it's a call. Then when the hour is up I can do what I want. If I then find I'm wasting time again it's my choice if I give up another hour or not.
I used to track all my time, and I mean ALL, in a spreadsheet with highlights for green (time I was happy with) and red (time I wasn’t), and simply the idea of knowing I had to enter the time in the spreadsheet helped me cut down on “time wasting” activities
Hey! I've felt the same about trying to reduce my screen time (so much so I'm now writing my dissertation on it lol) so totally get you. If you don't want to move to a separate messaging app / it would take too much admin to message all your friends your number (understandable), try something like the Dumbify app. It's like a fiver, so not free but honestly one of the best things I downloaded. It took about 30 mins to set everything up as it's all via the Shortcuts app, so set some time aside to do it. https://dumbifyapp.com/ I set it up so all of my apps that are essential (music, maps, calc, clock) are on the front page. Then all of the 'social' apps or apps I don't want to use often are on the second + third homepage etc. so it's not the first thing I see. I found that because the widget directs you to the shortcuts first, it took a microsecond longer to open apps. Sometimes that's all it took for me to realise like...why am I going on this app rn if I'm just looking to scroll? If you don't want to go down this route, an immediate step that might help is taking IG off your homescreen (still keep the app + notifications, but it's hidden from view) and also removing it from recommendations if you swipe down on your phone to search for smth. I found this made it less tempting to go on the apps :) Caveat: I went a bit nuclear in the end and deleted all apps that I found myself trying to scroll on (socials, reddit, even the news app and linkedin 😂) but that's because I moved everyone to Whatsapp a couple years ago so it was a bit easier and I am anti-social. Do what works for you though and don't be afraid to set boundaries with people if you find that they expect instant responses etc. (obvs might be different for a partner) I always tell new friends that it will take a few working days for me to respond and it's nothing personal. Ring me if it's an emergency etc. Hope this helps! good luck with it