I tend to keep an eye out for time-saving ideas because the ability to set aside time to make your photos into something meaningful is so important. It's life-changing, actually! And {we need our pictures} more now than ever before.
Besides, I was noticing how much "just checking Facebook" and "just scrolling through Instagram" was really cutting into my day and my productivity. And my peace, to be honest. ({This study} shows that social media can contribute to feelings of isolation, lower self-esteem, and decreased personal connections. Isn't it interesting that a few of the many {benefits of memory-keeping} are greater connections, higher self-esteem, and a greater sense of belonging?! Sounds like the antidote to the depressive effects of social media to me. But I digress.)
A few months ago, I had been feeling frustrated and probably a little depressed because I would sit down for a break and pull out my phone, and before I knew it an hour had gone by. I didn't like how it made me feel, and I really hate wasting time. I was inspired to really look at my phone usage and habits after I read this awesome {seven day phone detox} strategy by Michele at Confessions of Parenting. Michele's great steps included turning off push notifications (which I actually never enabled in the first place) and not picking up your phone first thing in the morning. Great tips!!
And I loved {this article}, too, about how you can actually GIVE YOURSELF more time by putting social media on the back burner.
These articles were fantastic inspiration for what I thought could help me. Here's what I came up with: I decided to use my phone as a phone. Shocking, I know.
Now, for you young 'uns, I'll tell you what phones were like in the olden days. They were attached to a wall. You used them for talking to people. Their ringtones were very boring, yes, but phones back in the olden days did the job just fine. You could communicate with someone who wasn't standing next to you. It was pretty revolutionary and quite handy.
So I decided to plug my phone into the wall. I decided to treat my phone as an actual phone. If it rings, or if I get a text notification, I pick it up. I don't need to know if someone posted something on Facebook, and I don't need to know what's new on Instagram. I can look at that later if I want to. I basically just need to know if someone wants to get ahold of me. That's all.
I do unplug the phone and take it with me when I'm away from a wall, but otherwise the phone stays plugged into the wall. Like, you know, a phone! I chose a central location (my kitchen, which kind of echos) so that I could hear the ring from wherever I might be in the house. Doing this has made a huge difference. It's not in my pocket where it's so easy to just pull it out and check social media "for just a sec."
Plugging in my phone was just the first part, though. In order to make it even less easy to waste time on, I decided to delete all my social media apps from my phone. Yes, I really did. I deleted Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Those are so easy to get sucked into because the feeds are endless. You can scroll and scroll and see new things for literally hours. Before social media, nobody actually knew what that guy who sat in front of you in 8th grade algebra was doing with his life these days. And we were just fine. (Remember, too, that if you want to know how a friend is doing, you could actually use your phone as a phone and call her. Or even text. You don't have to scroll through "I love my dog" and "I hate politics" posts to find out.)
Now, I'm still on {Facebook} and {Twitter} and {Pinterest} (at those links, in fact, if you want to connect), but because those apps aren't on my phone any more, I force myself to check them only on my computer. You can post to all of them except Instagram from a computer, and you can check all of them from a computer. It has cut down A LOT on the time I spend on social media, which is the main way I used to waste time on my phone.
What would you gain by giving yourself an extra hour every day?
Because pictures and memories and family stories have such powerful effects on kids and families, I highly recommend making time for them and making them a priority. Pictures still in digital form don't do much for us because we don't have the memories that go with them. Print or publish pictures in a way you'll enjoy so that you can actually SEE your photos as well as make a record of what makes each photo worth remembering (your memories).
Quality is high priority when preserving precious photos and memories, so {look at these fantastic options}. I recommend and choose whatever will work best for you.
Next, set aside time--if you need some {help finding time}, just click that link. If you're like most people and haven't preserved your photos for a while, you're probably a little overwhelmed at even starting. Don't be! I have {two strategies, including video tutorials to walk you through, and lots of tips for catching up on your photos right here}.
Join me in doing things differently! Don't let your phone suck away your valuable time! Let's use our time more wisely and in more meaningful ways. #dontletyourbabiesgrowuptobejpegs
Besides, I was noticing how much "just checking Facebook" and "just scrolling through Instagram" was really cutting into my day and my productivity. And my peace, to be honest. ({This study} shows that social media can contribute to feelings of isolation, lower self-esteem, and decreased personal connections. Isn't it interesting that a few of the many {benefits of memory-keeping} are greater connections, higher self-esteem, and a greater sense of belonging?! Sounds like the antidote to the depressive effects of social media to me. But I digress.)
A few months ago, I had been feeling frustrated and probably a little depressed because I would sit down for a break and pull out my phone, and before I knew it an hour had gone by. I didn't like how it made me feel, and I really hate wasting time. I was inspired to really look at my phone usage and habits after I read this awesome {seven day phone detox} strategy by Michele at Confessions of Parenting. Michele's great steps included turning off push notifications (which I actually never enabled in the first place) and not picking up your phone first thing in the morning. Great tips!!
And I loved {this article}, too, about how you can actually GIVE YOURSELF more time by putting social media on the back burner.
These articles were fantastic inspiration for what I thought could help me. Here's what I came up with: I decided to use my phone as a phone. Shocking, I know.
Now, for you young 'uns, I'll tell you what phones were like in the olden days. They were attached to a wall. You used them for talking to people. Their ringtones were very boring, yes, but phones back in the olden days did the job just fine. You could communicate with someone who wasn't standing next to you. It was pretty revolutionary and quite handy.
So I decided to plug my phone into the wall. I decided to treat my phone as an actual phone. If it rings, or if I get a text notification, I pick it up. I don't need to know if someone posted something on Facebook, and I don't need to know what's new on Instagram. I can look at that later if I want to. I basically just need to know if someone wants to get ahold of me. That's all.
I do unplug the phone and take it with me when I'm away from a wall, but otherwise the phone stays plugged into the wall. Like, you know, a phone! I chose a central location (my kitchen, which kind of echos) so that I could hear the ring from wherever I might be in the house. Doing this has made a huge difference. It's not in my pocket where it's so easy to just pull it out and check social media "for just a sec."
Plugging in my phone was just the first part, though. In order to make it even less easy to waste time on, I decided to delete all my social media apps from my phone. Yes, I really did. I deleted Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Those are so easy to get sucked into because the feeds are endless. You can scroll and scroll and see new things for literally hours. Before social media, nobody actually knew what that guy who sat in front of you in 8th grade algebra was doing with his life these days. And we were just fine. (Remember, too, that if you want to know how a friend is doing, you could actually use your phone as a phone and call her. Or even text. You don't have to scroll through "I love my dog" and "I hate politics" posts to find out.)
Now, I'm still on {Facebook} and {Twitter} and {Pinterest} (at those links, in fact, if you want to connect), but because those apps aren't on my phone any more, I force myself to check them only on my computer. You can post to all of them except Instagram from a computer, and you can check all of them from a computer. It has cut down A LOT on the time I spend on social media, which is the main way I used to waste time on my phone.
"...As if we could kill time without injuring eternity." -Henry David ThoreauIf you have an addicting game on your phone that you waste a lot of time with, that's another thing to look at. Could setting a 10-minute timer help? Could you just delete it all together? What other things do you have on your phone that drag you down that you could get rid of?
What would you gain by giving yourself an extra hour every day?
Because pictures and memories and family stories have such powerful effects on kids and families, I highly recommend making time for them and making them a priority. Pictures still in digital form don't do much for us because we don't have the memories that go with them. Print or publish pictures in a way you'll enjoy so that you can actually SEE your photos as well as make a record of what makes each photo worth remembering (your memories).
Quality is high priority when preserving precious photos and memories, so {look at these fantastic options}. I recommend and choose whatever will work best for you.
Next, set aside time--if you need some {help finding time}, just click that link. If you're like most people and haven't preserved your photos for a while, you're probably a little overwhelmed at even starting. Don't be! I have {two strategies, including video tutorials to walk you through, and lots of tips for catching up on your photos right here}.
Join me in doing things differently! Don't let your phone suck away your valuable time! Let's use our time more wisely and in more meaningful ways. #dontletyourbabiesgrowuptobejpegs
"A man who dares waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life." -Charles Darwin
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Interesting strategy! But like you, I’ve become mindful of the time I spend with social media. I do like the connections I’ve made through social media, but it isn’t necessary to look at each and every notification as they happen. While I haven’t gone so far as to delete the phone apps, I have turned off notifications. I no longer feel compelled.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great strategy, too. Notifications would feel so overwhelming to me. I enjoy the connections I've made through social media, too, but like any good thing, it has its time. Thanks for reading and commenting. :)
ReplyDeleteThis post was really funny! I’ve lived in the old, phoneless world, and the technology age. I would say the thing I notice the most is that little girls tend to play with their IPods and phones more than their dolls. That makes me sad. Anyway, your post was one of the most viewed at the Little Cottage Link Party! I guess people are thinking about their phone use!
ReplyDeleteIt is sad how technology has replaced a lot of important things like play and personal interaction, yet it's so neat for other things like keeping in touch with faraway family and friends. It's a balance, for sure. I'm so thrilled that it was a most-viewed post at Little Cottage! :)
ReplyDeleteFunny how times have changed so much! Now we do know all the details about people we don't really care about in real life. Crazy!
ReplyDeleteI am with you on the time wasting aspects of social media! I have largely quit, but I find that with blogging, I need to connect in order to network. I'd love for some suggestions.
Blessings, Laurie
Yes, definitely, Laurie! :) And you're right about blogging--you really need to stay connected in order to network through your blog. I'm definitely not the expert, but I use a couple of blog-sharing (scheduling) platforms that allow me to share and reshare my blog posts on social media. RecurPost is one and MissingLettr is another. If you want others sharing your blog posts, then Triberr is a good way (for sharing to Twitter) and so is Tailwind App (for sharing to Pinterest). You could also try LinkUps--I have a tab showing the ones I participate in there up at the top in purple. There are tons more. I find that if I just schedule time for these platforms and I only check my social media then, it's a huge time-saver. :)
ReplyDeleteSo good!!
ReplyDelete-Candy M.
Thanks so much, Candy!
DeleteI like your ideas. -Joyce
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joyce. I can't take credit for them all, but I think this is a great life hack. :)
DeleteHi, I don't even own a smartphone! I have a Nokia mobile phone, it doesn't even have a camera! I use a 'real' camera to take photos. :-) I access all my social media on my laptop at home. When I go out only my Nokia comes with me, and so I actually 'live' and see the world around me and don't have my face stuck to a screen 24/7. You've done well to rid yourself of the constant checking social media, congratulations! By the way, there is a way to post to Instagram on the laptop, I do it. Let me know if you want to know how. :-)
ReplyDeleteCheryl, then you're all set! :) What you're doing is exactly what I'm talking about here. Use your phone as a phone, your camera as a camera, and your computer as a computer. That's fantastic! And, YES, I would love to know how to post to Instagram from a laptop. That would be perfect. Please do tell. :)
DeleteWhat a brilliant idea! I'm 72, and I remember the days with phones were simply phones, and you had to sit or stand next to the phone to talk because it was plugged into the wall. Your strategy seems like a smart way to break some habits that you didn't like.
ReplyDeleteCarol
www.scribblingboomer.com
Thanks, Carol! Yes, I remember those days, too! My parents didn't like it when I talked to friends for hours because I was tying up the line! That's a thing of the past. ha Thanks for reading and commenting. :)
DeleteThanks so much for linking up at the Unlimited Link Party 78. Pinned.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
DeleteI don't have any social media accounts on my phone and mostly use it either for text messages or for taking photos. I will "check" in with Facebook and Instagram once a week or so on my laptop and occasionally upload photos to Instagram but as much as I love blogging I've never really enjoyed most social media platforms (though I could spend hours on Pinterest finding new recipes and craft projects to try!).
ReplyDeleteSounds like you do it just right, Joanne. I had a period where I took social media apps off my phone (which was delightful) but ended up putting them back on due to business needs. And I agree about Pinterest. :)
DeleteAgree about not using phone to check social media. I still use my phone for photos, because it's simpler for me to not have to carry a camera along. Self-discipline is key. Saw your post at SSPS303. My shares this time are #61-65. Have a beautiful day and be well. Nancy Andres @ Colors 4 Health.
ReplyDeleteYes, Nancy, you're right--self-discipline is key. It can so easily become a time-suck, so careful usage is a big deal these days. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteJennifer, this post is wonderful! This year, I decided to take a break from social media, and the experience has been incredibly refreshing. While I still use Instagram occasionally to share my craft projects (usually every few weeks), I’ve completely stopped using Facebook. As for Pinterest, I mainly use it to quickly post my pins and re-pin others’ content. Your post serves as a fantastic reminder for everyone. Thank you for sharing it with us at The Crazy Little Lovebirds link party #31.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Stephanie--I'm really glad you enjoyed this post. Like you, I'm mostly on social media for business, and that keeps things in check, for the most part. Keeping things on my computer is the biggest help because the phone is a little TOO convenient. ha It's not that social media is always bad, it's just that it can be a big time suck if we let it. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts and experience.
DeleteJennifer, you're very welcome! I wanted to let you know that your post was chosen to be featured at The Crazy Little Lovebirds link party #32 tomorrow. Thank you for sharing such a great post with us at the last party. :)
DeleteThank you so much, Stephanie! I'm thrilled to hear that! :)
Delete