Why I Switched From iPhone to a Normal Keypad Phone; Why You Should Too

I used to think I was smart or maybe smarter than some people. I have written endlessly about the ill effects of social media and how these platforms are on a mission to kill our mental capability — making us puppets of their algorithm so we can think, buy, and say what they want us to.

There was even a time last year when I decided to write a book on ‘how to escape the digital world and actively participate in your life.’

I thought I had figured out a way to be OUT of matrix and algorithm. But man, humans are good at fooling themselves.

For the past couple of months, I have been struggling with this ‘excessive use of social media’ and I have tried every method to escape it but here I am!

I tried to keep my phone far away so I couldn’t see it. I tried to delete all the apps that were distracting. I tried to sit aside a particular time to use it so I could focus.

But nothing worked. After a few days, I would eventually be back to my old habit — dumb scrolling.

Last year, I became pretty good at avoiding my phone but something shifted when I faced a huge problem in October. To avoid that problem, I started scrolling social media as an escape. Now, even after my problem was solved, I couldn’t stop.

I was watching one video after another. One app after another.

And do you know what’s funnier or rather dangerous?

When I scroll videos mindlessly, I know I am wasting time. I feel I want to STOP. My inner voice screams at me to leave the phone yet I feel powerless.

The Dangerous MATRIX:

Up until now, I was treating it as a ‘bad’ habit. We all have bad habits, right?

I thought eventually, I would be able to come over it. I tried to be gentle with myself. I thought I just needed more work and some hobbies to shift my focus.

But now, I understand this is not a bad habit, this is a TRAP. A very dangerous one indeed.

Why?

As I shared, I wanted to get rid of this bad habit with all my heart. I wanted to give up on social media. My inner self wants to leave the phone yet my fingers ain’t in my control. How is this possible?

This shows how powerless these devices and platforms make us. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are designed to entertain us to such an extent that we completely lose control over our minds — becoming puppets of their algorithm.

How?

For example: I did this experiment where I tried to use my father’s Instagram. I gave up after 10 minutes. But even after trying, I couldn’t leave my phone. The reason is, that they show us what we want to see. Thus, they lock our attention until we mentally feel drained. Mental fog is a real sh*t.

There was a time in my life when ideas used to jump in my head like kangaroo. I used to take excessive pride in saying that I don’t have to think to get creative ideas but now, duh! Even after trying way too hard, I cannot come up with the kinds of ideas I used to get earlier.

The quality of my articles has gone in another direction and I don’t feel a deeper connection with my writing as I once used to.

What does that make me?

A weak person. A very weak-minded person who cannot work properly nor can she control her own mind. And such a girl would need to watch videos on how to be productive and take advice from random influencers whose life suck in real life.

Woohoo! What a great trap.

You can either see a reflection of yourself in my example or you shall soon experience it. You can simply analyze the world around you and my example and tell me if I am wrong.

They are building a weaker society. You and I are a part of that weaker society.

Not The Platforms But Our Lives Are Algorithm Based:

Tell me one thing, what is the difference between you and your grandfather?

Apart from being more kind, loving, and generous, the big difference between our grandparent’s generation and our generation is — their lives were real, and our lives are digital based completely.

Starting with, you will see how your grandparents used their favorite songs on CD players while sitting in a chair. Today, you just need to plug in, and all day songs are playing. Our grandparents used to plan which movie to watch and when to do so. Today, we have a concept called binge-watching.

What did it do?

I am not yet another person who likes to ramble about digital gadgets. I feel that the excessive accessibility has ruined the ‘fun and joy’ of our day-to-day lives. It has made us alone.

Not only that but now you need a smartwatch to track your health. Smart watches didn’t exist in the past yet our grandparents were healthier than us.

People even have apps and bottles that remind them to drink water.

When did we become so busy that we could not feel our thirst?

So if you analyze, it’s not the platforms that are algorithm-based, it is your own life. We have an app and a gadget for every little thing. Our entire lives are controlled and digitalized so much so that instead of being nature’s creation, we have become a digital product.

We don’t go out of the house until it is for completing the 10,000 steps. We don’t go to a cafe until it is to click cute solo date pictures. We don’t go to our friend’s houses randomly but send them relatable videos.

It reminds me of Billie Eilish’s song, ‘When did it end all the enjoyment?’

Or that song which goes like this, ‘Is this the place we used to love, is this place I have been dreaming of? Oh, simple things where have you gone?’

Conclusion; The ONLY Solution:

Mobile phones were designed to help us stay connected to each other not to control us.

I am not saying social media is entirely bad but it has definitely made us more alone.

So what’s the solution?

The only solution I can see and suggest at this moment is to — switch.

Switch to a normal keypad phone. The ones that allow you to call and message — stay connected.

You can keep your current smartphone aside and use it only for 30 minutes or one hour, whatever feels right to you. You can take full advantage of it. But you don’t have to become a puppet of it. You can live an offline life with real people with real-life hobbies and a radiant smile.

That’s what I have done. I can pick up my client’s call or if there is any urgent message that I need to get back to. It has been so much calmer and peaceful since the day I made the switch. So, trust me when I say, real life has so much to offer. Try to live in it.