Why You Need to Leave Your Phone Alone Sometimes

And when to use it as a creative tool.

In barely one generation, we’ve moved from exulting in the time-saving devices that have so expanded our lives to trying to get away from them — often in order to make more time. The more ways we have to connect, the more many of us seem desperate to unplug.~Pico Iyer

Most people in the US and abroad have cell phones with internet access.

We get directions, find information, connect on social media, or write articles. Phone calls are only a fraction of what they can do.

Although having the internet on a portable device is convenient, it can prevent us from living full and productive lives. If we don’t take breaks, we lose our creative spark. We dawdle doing chores with a phone in hand. At its worst, constant cell phone use can deprive us of happiness.

There’s a solution. But first, we need to get over hurdles our grandparents didn’t have to overcome. We need to address the problem and change our behavior.

Here are some ways our phone use can inhibit us from being at our best.

It saps your creativity.

Writers create. I write in my mind all day. If I’m lucky, I can get it out of my head and onto a page. But we ebb and flow. Some activities will enhance the flow, and others stop it altogether. The internet can do both.

If we’re always on our phones, we don’t get an opportunity to explore ways to create. We need time off for new ideas to emerge.

Do you ever wonder why we get a surge of creativity in the morning? We had a chance to rest our minds and wake with fresh ideas.

Many of us head over to our cell phones upon rising. Or maybe we have our phones next to our beds. We jump right in to check email, Facebook, or what-have-you.

It’s no wonder we struggle more than ever with what we call “writer’s block” these days. I know it’s possible to feel stuck without the hindrance of our information-laden society. But being glued to our phones certainly won’t help with our creative flow.

It’s a huge distraction.

Not only does cell phone use distract us from our goals, but we also miss out on social interactions. I’ve had to ask my kids what they just said on more occasions than I’d like to admit.

Drivers still use cell phones on the road, despite a slew of warnings against it. Years ago, I opened my flip-phone to answer a call. I crashed into the car in front of me. Driving ten miles an hour was enough to do damage. It could’ve been much worse. Distracted driving can cause serious injuries.

From the day I decided to write this story, I’ve limited my online social media participation. It clarified my purpose and calmed my nervous system. I got more sleep and awoke well-rested. I paid better attention to my children. I felt content overall. I started reading again. I didn’t pay any mind to my notifications because I plugged into life instead of my internet.

We take longer to do everyday activities.

It’s easier to do tasks with a single focus. Our brains overload with too much multi-tasking.

People have taken to habitually gazing at their phones while cooking, washing dishes, even while they’re on the toilet. Yes, we bring them everywhere. I’m more efficient and present when I leave my phone while doing basic tasks. One thing at a time works better.

Cell phones are so convenient that they’re an inconvenience.~Haruki Murakami

Here’s how you can use your phone as a creative tool instead.

Utilize your screen time settings and stick with it.

Newer iPhones have a feature called “screen time”. You can adjust your settings to include downtime and app limits.

My downtime was from 10 pm-7 am. This week I started unplugging by 9 pm. I tend to ignore time limits. If this sounds familiar, you’ll need to exercise some self-control. You might want to ask a friend or family member to hold you accountable.

I set my current social media limit to an hour. I have time to bookmark your stories and share my own. Maybe I’ll share something personal. Then I log off for the day.

I use messenger to connect with a friend, so sometimes I ignore my limit if it’s before 10 pm. Otherwise, I excuse myself and wait until the next day.

Adjust or ignore your notifications.

I’ve heard other writers suggest we turn off notifications. It’s a brilliant solution if you decide to move forward with it for the short or long term. It’s unnecessary since I started consciously stepping away each day.

I think I’ve broken my addictive cycle for now. I’ve become more single-focused and unconcerned with all the little red dots begging me for their attention.

If you don’t turn them off, they’ll keep coming and life will go on. Programmers designed the red circles to catch your eye. You can choose not to pay attention to them. I ignored them for a day and didn’t miss anything.

I appreciate the freedom to choose when and what I’m going to read. That’s why I keep my notifications on for now.

Turn off your internet while you write.

You can use your phone for focused creative projects anytime without the internet. Set a timer for the desired length of time and type to your heart’s content.

With airplane mode, you can write an uninterrupted story. Then turn your internet back on when you’re ready to save your draft.

I’m writing this piece at the park while my children play. I can finish what I might otherwise forget or ignore. I’m grateful for the convenience. When I’m on this platform, it’s where I place all of my attention. If I want to make writing my job, I need to dedicate the time. I stay here until I publish.

I commit to returning after inevitable parenting detours. I don’t go onto other sites unless it’s for photo retrieval.

When in doubt, grab a pen.

There’s nothing more satisfying than taking pen to paper. Better still, take it outdoors. Nature brings us more awareness than any google search. Our answers are within. We’ll find them in the forest, on the beach, or a riverbank.

Snuggle up in bed with your favorite journal and a cup of tea. Choose colorful pens. Set your screen aside. You won’t need it here.

I used to journal daily, write my dreams, free write, and more. In journaling, I processed emotions and found continual inspiration for more writing.

Once I got a cell phone with multiple options for recording thought, I began to forget my daily writing rituals. Once I started posting gratitudes on Facebook, I rarely used my gratitude notebook and gel pens.

It’s possible to have the best of both worlds. I’m currently transitioning back to these simple pleasures as a means to slow down and be present. I’m returning to a pen and paper to improve my online writing.

Here are some final thoughts on finding balance in a device-friendly world.

We use our cell phones to type whenever we want. But sometimes we need to step away for a bit. We come back refreshed, ready to share our thoughts on the internet.

Balance is key to using your cell phone as a creative tool. Practice being away from technology for a few hours or even a few minutes at a time. You’ll survive without it. Allow your eyes and brain a rest. Use your phone’s tools then go live your life.

Living life in stereo cultivates your creative garden better than any tech device. Be awake and aware. Be here now. Then share what you learned in our big, beautiful world.

Let’s stay in touch. You can find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, or my personal blog at gratefulx365.wordpress.com. Submit your amazing stories and follow my Medium publication, Gratefully Yours. Email me at [email protected].