If You're About to Throw Your Phone Out The Window: Read This First

Do you ever feel like throwing your phone, tablet, or computer out the window? Well, I do. Don't get me wrong; I love technology, and a lot of my hobbies revolve around it. But that doesn't mean that sometimes I really hate it,  how during my study sessions, I get distracted with YouTube on my computer, or how, in moments of boredom, my immediate reflex is to grab my phone and seek a distraction. It bothers me that technology seems to have control over me and everyone else.

In the moment, I tell myself, 'I'll just watch one tiny little video, and then I'll get back to work!' However, inevitably, I find myself immersed in a cascade of tiny videos. Afterward, I feel dreadful; anxiety starts to creep in, regret floods the room, and rage begins to burn inside of me. I blame the computer, the tablet, the phone when the only person to blame is myself. It's akin to being a little kid again, blaming the floor when I was the one who fell. Yes, I got hurt, but the poor floor likely suffered more, not from the impact of my fall but from the consecutive punches it would receive afterward. Sorry, floor.

Okay, so it's our fault all along for getting distracted, but what can we do about it? How can we regain control? In this post, I will share some of my methods that still aren't foolproof, but maybe they will help you a bit:

• Deleting distracting apps off your phone: This is a challenging one. Our phone is usually the artifact we have most at our disposal, so I highly recommend starting with it. Alternatively, you can use the web version of these apps or access them on a computer/tablet.

• Using browser extensions:

  • DF YouTube: I use this to hide my feed, and you can also remove other features such as comments and the notification bell. It helps you be more intentional and avoid getting into the never-ending chain of videos. It is available for Mozilla, Chrome, and Microsoft Edge.
  • Hide YouTube-Shorts: As the name suggests, this extension hides YouTube Shorts, one of the most distracting features of the platform these days. It even left my TikTok-hating dad feeling helpless. It is available for Mozilla, Chrome, and Microsoft Edge.
  • Impulse blocker: This extension can block all of your distracting websites for good, all at the same time. It is available for Mozilla (similar ones exist for Chrome and Microsoft Edge).

• Using apps:

  • Forest: It helps you stay focused on any task with its tree-planting timer. If you use your phone, the virtual tree will die. Besides these amazing features, the only reason I really use it is because with the coins you get from completing the sessions you can get super cute trees and other elements from nature. It is available for free on Android, but you have to pay for it on iOS. There is also an extension version for your browser that is available on Mozilla and Chrome.
    
  • ScreenZen: This app praises itself for being the most customizable blocker, and it's not lying. It has various settings to improve your screentime. It is available on Google Play and the App Store.
  • BlockSite: This app blocks websites and apps effectively, making it convenient if you not only want to block apps but also their web versions. It is available on Google Play and the App Store.

• Be more aware of your actions:

  • Before starting to mindlessly scroll, ask yourself, 'Do I really want this right now, or am I just procrastinating?' 'How is it going to make me feel later?' As I'm writing these questions, I'm realizing that I need to have a shower, and I'm writing this blog post instead because I feel lazy. So yeah, as you can see, it's a work in progress :)

• If you feel like these tips don't work and you can't help but get distracted with these apps:

  • I would recommend trying to spend some time without using them. A few years ago, I got pretty addicted to TikTok, so I ended up deleting the app. I didn't download it again until 7 months later. Surprisingly, after spending so much time without it, I stopped needing it. I didn't feel like scrolling anymore; I didn't see the point.

• Lastly, from time to time:

  • It's okay to scroll endlessly on social media or spend a whole afternoon watching YouTube videos. Sometimes, we genuinely need to disconnect from the world. As long as that's what you genuinely want, you do it in an intentional way and it doesn't become something you can't control, causing you anxiety or becoming part of your routine in an unhealthy way, it's okay. 

As Aristotle said, the best answer often lies in the middle; it's not black or white; it's usually gray. We shouldn't quit technology completely just because we get distracted, nor should we be totally addicted to it; we must find a way to live with it in a healthy way and find our balance. We can do this by using different tools or simply by thinking twice before opening an app. I hope this post has effectivly captured the on-going struggle with technology and I really hope this methods also work for you like they have for me. What's your experience with managing distractions in our tech-driven world? Do you have trouble staying focused, or have you discovered effective methods to find the perfect balance?