A book review: How to Break Up With Your Phoneby Catherine Price.
As you know, I started out on the journey of a phone detox after reading how usage can affect your mental health, as well as physical aspects… And what a journey it has been.
Self-reflection is a hard skill; some people really struggle with it, and this book does take you on a real journey of self-awareness and how much you allow your phone to take control.
I have been telling everyone about it!
It has been astonishing how much I use my phone but also the people around me.
I don’t want to give much away with this book, but I would encourage you to purchase it, and pass it on to a friend once finished.
The book has a clear structure based on trialed methods to help you reduce your screen time. Ironically, I had daily reminders on my phone to keep me on track to ensure I didn’t flop but with a bit of pre-planning it is easy to adopt.
As I work from home I feel I do get distracted a lot with my phone. In some ways it is to keep in contact with the outside world as it is easy to work longer hours and get caught up in a project. Luckily my dog forces me to have a lunch break.
When I tracked my usage and saw the hours I am on my phone I did get upset. I have a pile of books by my bedside I am desperate to read but I never have the time... apparently… Well clearly, I do!
Early on in the book I actually got really down about a task that I couldn’t fully complete. Partly because of what was asked and how it may affect work but if I truly had the willpower I feel I could have trialed it. This response shocked me as to how much I relied on my phone. What did I do before mobile phones?!
On the reverse there were days that I loved. I could repeat these days all the time. I found it was a very bumpy journey with days I could do easily, others I refused to! I’ve now noticed my attention span and have tried to improve how often I flick between tasks.
My husband was dragged into this which really helped. I needed the support. It surprised me how much he couldn’t give up his news and a game he insists he only plays when I have something rubbish on TV, but I am sure is a slight addiction.
As well as my husband, we also informed friends and family, as one thing we loved was having no phones at the table. We informed our guests and they followed our house rules which was lovely for them to do.
I aim to persist, I aim to achieve. At Ad-Lib training, we are continually encouraging the adherence of physical activity to improve your mental health, but it is always good to review other aspects of your life. I am considering starting again and trying even harder. This book will stay on my bedside table for now, as I need to keep working on this.
From now on, you may need to wait a few more days for a reply from me at the weekend... you know why! But when I see you, you will have my full attention. I am finding my flow.
The book ‘How to Break Up with Your Phone’ by Catherine Price can be purchased online from a few outlets.
Huffington Post have also got onboard with their own digital detox over 28 days, which you can try if you don’t want to purchase the book. The trial is free and you get daily reminders.
I leave you with this one fact which shocked me when completing the break up - “A New York Times analysis calculated that as of 2014, Facebook users were spending a collective 39, 757 years’ worth of attention on the site, every single day...” (Price 2018, p. 41).
Is that you?
Reference
Price, C., (2018). How to break up with your phone. London:Orion Books.
