Badass Britt 

Anyone else occasionally have the urge to stop using a smartphone entirely?

My brain has been yelling it more loudly lately. I’m unsure why. It’s a tad confusing, but I’m listening to my nervous system on this one…

I’m sure others can relate, and I welcome discussion. :) I’ve always been a techy. I love new tech! I love trying out various ecosystems/software/operating systems/platforms, etc. But lately I just want none of it - I’m in a funk.

#Tech #Minimalism

Nov 7, 2024 at 4:16pmWeb
Show threadirne jaweNov 7, 2024
@britt I’ve been feeling this way for a couple years. It just seems too much, and for too little benefit.
Show threadBadass Britt Nov 7, 2024
@pewterbaw very well said, I agree. What do we do about it though? I keep asking myself this. I need to find a healthy middle ground.
Show threadirne jaweNov 7, 2024
@britt I have removed many apps from my phone, increased “healthy” uses like reading ebooks, ise “do not disturb” mode liberally, started wearing a wristwatch…
Show threadirne jaweNov 7, 2024
@britt also unfollowed many many accounts on social media
Show threadEty, Ringer of Bells ^GNov 7, 2024

@britt I want a small, dumb, phone with a good camera. It doesn't need to be a Hasselblad, just 'good.'

Or... at least be able to set up phone twinning so that I can _choose_ to only take the small dumb phone with me when I don't need/want anything else.

That shouldn't feel like the monumental ask that it does.

Show threadBadass Britt Nov 7, 2024

@ety yes!! This.

I don’t want to have to spend so much money to have a decent camera on my phone … when the other ‘smart’ features don’t really add anything to my life except stress and hustle vibes.

Just give me a dumb phone with the sickest camera. 📸

Show threadloptaNov 7, 2024
@britt I've done it in the past and would do it again.
Show threadAlexander BochmannNov 7, 2024

@britt The more smartphones are being pushed into a mandatory role (payments, authentication, "use our app"), the less I'm interested in carrying one.

Most of the new mainstream tech I see enables people and structures that I despise.

Show threadBadass Britt Nov 7, 2024

@galaxis such a wonderful way to express the feeling… I absolutely agree.

It feels kinda like a loss of autonomy for me.

Show threadwephNov 7, 2024
@britt Yep. Happens to me all the time. When it does, I reactivate my app blocker and basically turn it into a dumbphone... and then I start feeling better, and I'm like, this is great. I don't need to constantly engage with my phone. But usually, after a couple of weeks or months, I slip and deactivate my app blocker for some stupid reason and spiral back. It's a vicious cycle, and it makes me feel like I'm stupid.
Show thread✨buff dog himbo✨Nov 18, 2024

@weph @britt I'm currently in a period of more seriously trying to replace my smart phone with a dumb phone daily driver. Trying some popular options like the TCL Flip Go or Flip 2. Tough dealing with carrier lock situations when buying secondhand. 🙄

I'm just very jaded by technology & don't feel a need to carry a device that so thoroughly leaks my location & usage & which is designed to suck up as much of my time and attention as possible. Just wanna call & occasionally text, the end.

Show threadDr. Figuring-things-autNov 7, 2024
@britt I get it. Is it that the smart phone gives you access to too many things and or gives others too much access to you? For me it's mostly the latter, a bit of the former. I have turned off essentially all notifications (aside from priority contacts) and put Olauncher which keeps me from looking at enticing colorful logos. Still if I absolutely want to use an app I need to find it by its name. I disabled voicemail and it's on silent 24/7.
Show threadvae Nov 7, 2024
@britt I'm thinking a dumb phone and a decent tablet would be a good compromise. Still need something for bank-related stuff, would be a pain to do without..
Show threadUncannyKyleNov 7, 2024
@britt I've tried to focus on using more specialized devices and just getting away from things that use algorithms. Smartphones are terrible time wasters when you're swimming through stuff designed to either piss you off or serve you ads.
Show threadOdinNov 7, 2024
@britt Honestly no, but I am also very careful about what apps go on my phone. I think it’s completely fair to try reducing what you use your phone for or taking a break entirely if you feel it might be worth it or even just to find out
Show threadCliffNov 7, 2024

@britt I strongly suggest focus mode or anything similar. Limit your time to your phone via the phone itself. Limit your time to a specific platform, let's say TikTok, to 10 minutes per hour or something similar.

I personally rarely use my phone, but that's because I'm always at my PC for work stuff. So yes, I still see social platforms while at PC, but it's very limited to what a mobile device can provide as we all know.

Show threadHarryNov 8, 2024
@britt Keep an eye on the Light Phone 3. I think it’s probably the one that strikes the best balance out of all them