three ways to reduce screen time and become more mindful

fine print journaling: three ways to reduce screen time and become more mindful

As 2016 started, I thought about the goals I wanted to achieve this year. I wanted to be more present, I wanted to work out more, and I wanted to get outside more. As I sat on my couch watching Netflix on the TV, looking at Pinterest on my laptop, and intermittently checking Instagram on my phone, I realized that maaaaaybe cutting down on my screen time would help me achieve these goals.

It has become so easy to be attached to a screen. Most of us carry little computers around with us 24/7, granting us access to information and society at a glance. While this is great and has a lot of benefits, I do believe that there’s a point where we forget to be in whatever moment we are in because we’re focused on fact-checking something, or we’re watching it through the picture we’re taking on our phones, or we want to avoid feeling awkward when standing in a long line.

I wanted to cut back on screen time because I found myself using it to get out of being active or to hide from seemingly awkward situations. Also, I stare at a computer all day at work, so I figured that any screens I cut out on my own time would benefit me.

There are a TON of articles out there about why we should reduce our screen time and people’s experiences doing so. Here, I’m going to give you three ways I cut out screen time when I’m at home.

  1. Music
    I don’t like being in a quiet house.  I have WAY too vivid of an imagination and every little noise is a monster coming to get me. My general solution for this is to turn on the TV, switch to Netflix, and throw on a show I know and love while I wander around and clean up or work out or do some work from home. However, what usually ends up happening is that something exciting happens on the show, and I sit to watch it. I then watch all the episode, and then the next episode, and then the next episode, and nothing I wanted to get done actually does. So, to avoid this, I started turning on music. Such a simple and obvious solution, right? I splurged and paid for Spotify, but you can listen to it for free. fine print journaling: three ways to reduce screen time and be more mindfulI turn on one of my playlists on my phone, plug my phone into my little Crosley radio, and walk away to do the dishes or exercise or work on a spreadsheet. This solution works in two ways. First, I get the noise I need to feel comfortable. Second, my phone is on the other side of the room, NOT in my pocket or right next to me on my desk. I can still hear any texts or calls that come through, but I’m not distracting myself by constantly checking Instagram or Facebook or Pinterest. It has worked amazingly well.
  1. Books
    This one is so obvious that I’m embarrassed to even admit it. Read instead of watch TV. You would think that with a Masters in English that I would have already been doing this, but no. In school, I was reading so much that I used TV and movies as an escape from reading, when the reason I love reading is because of the escape it provides. Now that I’m out of school, the TV habit stuck and my hundreds of books sit on the shelves getting dusty. So, to counteract this, I just started reading. That’s all. I picked up an old favorite, and away I went.
    fine print journaling: three ways to reduce screen time and be more mindful fine print journaling: three ways to reduce screen time and be more mindful fine print journaling: three ways to reduce screen time and be more mindful
    I then dusted off my library card that I haven’t used in years and ordered a ton of books to be reserved for me. I also recently discovered an amazing book sale in my neighborhood, so I am now never without new reading material. I definitely recommend getting a library card if you don’t have one. As for book sales, check with local libraries to see if they do monthly used book sales or hit up a thrift store or used book store to pad your collection. There is always something you’ll enjoy reading, and always some interesting things to see. If you are not a book reader, rather than using online news sources, try picking up an actual magazine or newspaper and starting with that. Just remember to recycle them when you’re done!
  1. Puzzles
     When I’m not reading or cleaning or working out, I still need something to do. Before, I would spend a LOT of time playing games on my phone and checking Pinterest. But I didn’t want to do that anymore, so I looked for something else to do with my time at home. The answer came to me one afternoon as I was helping my 3 year old nephew with a dinosaur puzzle. Do you guys remember doing puzzles as kids? Puzzles are awesome. You have to switch your brain into thinking spatially and it’s super fun and rewarding every time you find that one piece you were looking for to complete a section. After my nephew schooled me in building T-Rex, I thought, “I can do this!” While I was pretty savvy with piecing together dinosaurs and Snoopy, I hadn’t done “grown-up” puzzles in years, so I started small to make sure that I could still do it. I got a couple 300 piece puzzles and finished them in one sitting each. I then upped my game and borrowed a 750 piece puzzle from Cindy. This one took me much longer. I took breaks. I had to repair it a couple times from my Godzilla cats. But I finished it!
    fine print journaling: three ways to reduce screen time and be more mindful fine print journaling: three ways to reduce screen time and be more mindful
    Now, I currently have a 1000 piece one going, and it’s again taking me awhile. But that’s okay! I do puzzles so that I don’t spend hours playing games on my phone. My brain is super stimulated, I feel very proud and accomplished when I finish one, and I have an excuse buy something beautiful. Have you looked at puzzles recently? There are some gorgeous ones out there. I love getting the ones that are depictions of my favorite movies. It’s so fun to piece together Rhett Butler’s face or Cinderella’s dress!

You’ll have noticed that all of the things I listed are things that I do while alone in my house. There are, of course, times when I am out with friends or hanging with family. During these times, I just keep my phone in my purse or in a different room, only taking it out when I want to take a picture of something. I very rarely just leave my phone at home; I always like to be prepared in case of an emergency, but I do my best to keep my phone put away in social situations.

I still watch Netflix and my favorite movies and I still play around on Pinterest and Instagram, but I do it so much less. Since I’ve been cutting back on screen time, I find it easier to be present and practice mindfulness. It no longer feels strange to let something funny happen without documenting it immediately. It’s easier to appreciate life as it lays in front of me.

Have you ever reduced your screen time? Did you stick with it? What are some ways you cut back? Let us know in the comments!

fine print journaling: three ways to reduce screen time and be more mindful

xxoo
R