What
Over the last few months, starting with Spotify I've been replacing as many features on my smartphone (a 5-year-old iPhone SE 2020 edition) with non-smartphone alternatives. I've been replacing the small, very-functional, computer in my pocket with other, larger, less-functional computers.
Examples of switches I've made/will make:
Why?
You might think that I don't like smartphones, or that I don't think children/teenagers/pople should have them, this is incorrect. If you think some group of people should automatically not have smartphones than you are wrong and I will argue with you.
Tip: If you aren't hurting anybody else, you can do what you like.
I guess I have to try and articulate why I don't like my smartphone... I'm not sure there's one good/rational reason. Like with a lot of things I decide to do. I don't think it makes me more miserable, and in fact using my phone can be a really valuble respite when I'm having a terrible time. It's more that I don't want to use it so much. I guess it's mostly aesthetic. I just don't like it! I feel better about my days/time spent when I'm not on it.
Tip: Focus on the smart, not the phone.
Tip: Put its charger in a different room to where you spend most of your time.
Tip: enjoy the aesthetic of it. It is cool! Don't be obnoxious though.
I don't like lots of things to do with smartphones: most apps are rubbish; it's too easy to be tracked and advertised to; it's always running out of battery and in my pocket; notifations distract me; I don't like how it's genuinely replaced conversation with strangers; I prefer paper, I prefer mp3 players, I prefer trying to remember directions; I prefer having my time and focus to myself and if I want to see who has contact me, then I shall go and check myself!
Plus, it seemed like (and has turned out to be!) a fun experience trying to kill it.
They're also expensive in terms of both money and resources, but I can't really complain as I've replaced a lot of mine with a bigger and hungrier computer (that's also my webserver and social media and RSS reader -- it does a lot for me!)
One reason I think smartphones are great is connectivity. I can do something call, snap a photo, send it to my partner/friends/family in like 10 seconds and go "Look! Isn't this nifty!" or "I'm thinking of you!". Instant messaging is fantastic, and I have about 3 different apps I use regularly for it, which is way too many for my taste but oh well. Everyone prefers a different one and I'd rather speak to them than have one app. One of my friends, Lucy, way prefers email to instant messaging, and I can see why. It's slower, statelier, gives you more time to think and draft. Like real letters. I can appreciate that. Maybe I'll kill instant messaging and replace it with email, but I don't think I can, yet.
How it's going
I still use my smartphone a lot. I get as distracted with a phone (social media, news) as I do without (reading, looking out the window, daydreaming). I get easily distracted. But the 'anologue' distractions make me feel happier/more alive? Putting the charger in another room so it sleeps in a different room to me has been really helpful. That was a good change. mp3 players and buying music are, likewise, very good changes.
The next things I want to do are a bit trickier. I want to get a DNS-ad-blocker (like PiHole)
write a list, write a list of "how" under each feature. disable features once you have their replacement make peace with the fact there are some things you won't be able to do take it slowly