how to spend less time on your phone and more time actually doing stuff you should be doing
swap social media apps for educational apps
a common problem we all have is using our social media as an excuse to procrastinate. you’re bored - you open your favorite social media app and before you know it 30 minutes have passed. you’re studying and you’re stressed - you pick up your phone and do the exact same thing. you’re waiting for class to start - you check instagram. you’re taking the underground or any other public transport - you check your tumblr.
social media is not a sin, damn I’m posting this on tumblr ok, BUT there are so many apps that can help you grow out there! for example, I love languages but I spend little to no time learning them in my free time. solution? Last week I deleted the instagram icon from my app folder and put duo in its place. since then I’ve opened ig thrice - I’ve scored 600 points on duo though. (no duo is not the ultimate app for language learning, but it’s a useful addition)
delate apps that steal your time.
so you spend hours browsing through cat pictures on pinterest? I have a folder with 400 cat pics, I know how tempting they are. BUT deleting the app from your phone will keep you from doing that when you should be doing something else, like studying, or starting on that book you really want to read but can never find the time! the world will not crumble if you delete an app. seriously.
your account it still there, if you really want to use it, you can open it on your computer but that takes longer so there’s less of a chance you’ll do it while revising your notes or when you’re spending time with your friends.
charge your phone by the foot of your bead, not on your bedside
this is really important. first of all, keeping your phone close to your head 24/7 is really bad for you. but I know when it comes to it and you’re lying in bed you don't give a damn about that, so - second reason - Y o u w i l l a c t u a l l y g o t h e f u c k t o s l e e p, ok? Seriously, it works because not only will you sleep longer, you’ll also have to get up to snooze your alarm in the morning, whereas when it’s next to your head you probably do what I always did - lift you hand automatically and then oversleep and have to rush to get to class on time.
What are the cons of doing it? absolutely none, unless you need something to scream bloody murder right into your ear to wake you up - then I suggest spending a few euros, pounds or what-have-you on a really loud but also actually usable alarm clock.
the phone stays off the table
do this for me ok? whether you’re studying, spending time with your family or friends, eating or reading - keep your phone in your bag, or in your pocket or on another surface. It’s not like someone is going to need your help with putting out a fire unless that’s what you do for a living - then, by all means, keep the phone in your line of sight. But, if you’re doing something you should be focusing entirely on do yourself a favor and get rid of that temptation - everyone will be happier. And if you’re studying your phone will only be an unwelcome distraction. If you’re using the Pomodoro technique you will be able to hear the timer going off from a meter away too, you don't need it right next to your dominant hand.
take a book with you for the ride
if you, just like me, use public transport to get to class/work I recommend taking a book with you. It doesn’t have to be Freud or a Russian 19th-century novel, you might not be able to focus on them, or you will miss your stop trying to. But imagine how many books you could’ve read when you were mindlessly scrolling through your phone this past year, right?
That’s it if you’re interested in more master posts about time management or what have you let me know!
