2826: How I Got Digital Minimalism Right The Second Time Around by Leslie Watson with Becoming Minimalist

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[00:00:26] [SPEAKER_01]: This is Optimal Finance Daily. How I Got Digital Minimalism Right

[00:00:31] [SPEAKER_01]: The Second Time Around by Leslie Watson with BecomingMinimalist.com.

[00:00:37] [SPEAKER_01]: And I'm your host and personal finance enthusiast, Diana Merriam.

[00:00:41] [SPEAKER_01]: Welcome back to our Sunday bonus episode where I share an article with you from a different podcast in our network to keep your life nice and optimized.

[00:00:51] [SPEAKER_01]: Today's episode is coming from our personal development and mental health podcast, Optimal Living Daily.

[00:00:57] [SPEAKER_01]: You can find that show wherever you're listening to this. And please do follow or subscribe to the show to get new episodes every day.

[00:01:05] [SPEAKER_01]: So with that, here's Justin with the post as we optimize your life.

[00:01:14] [SPEAKER_00]: How I Got Digital Minimalism Right the Second Time Around by Leslie Watson with BecomingMinimalist.com.

[00:01:22] [SPEAKER_00]: Four months after reading Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport, I thought I had analog living all figured out.

[00:01:29] [SPEAKER_00]: I spent two uncomfortable weeks detoxing from my standard American smartphone addiction until my tech cravings subsided.

[00:01:37] [SPEAKER_00]: I was keeping so busy offline that I seldom missed my phone.

[00:01:41] [SPEAKER_00]: Soon, I was averaging just 62 minutes a day on my mobile phone compared to the United States norm and my own history of three to five hours daily.

[00:01:52] [SPEAKER_00]: My husband and I share a computer and don't have a television, so my cell phone is often my only screen.

[00:01:58] [SPEAKER_00]: Reducing my smartphone use did more than just free up two to four hours a day.

[00:02:02] [SPEAKER_00]: I was less distractible and more energetic too.

[00:02:06] [SPEAKER_00]: My relationships improved when I stopped fubbing family and friends.

[00:02:10] [SPEAKER_00]: Some of them even volunteered to put their phones away during our in-person visits as well.

[00:02:15] [SPEAKER_00]: I felt like a digital minimalism success story before quarantine.

[00:02:20] [SPEAKER_00]: But as my schedule emptied, my screen-free convictions faltered.

[00:02:25] [SPEAKER_00]: According to Instagram, the rest of the world was using their time windfalls to bake bread and plant vegetable gardens.

[00:02:31] [SPEAKER_00]: But I was glued to news headlines and Netflix.

[00:02:35] [SPEAKER_00]: Apparently, I wasn't the only one hooked on digital bait when the future grew more unpredictable.

[00:02:40] [SPEAKER_00]: TV consumption reached staggering levels during the coronavirus crisis.

[00:02:44] [SPEAKER_00]: Video game sales were record-breaking as well.

[00:02:47] [SPEAKER_00]: In fact, I finally recognized the severity of my own personal tech relapse

[00:02:51] [SPEAKER_00]: when my vision went blurry from playing too many rounds of My Little Pony Bubble Blast.

[00:02:57] [SPEAKER_00]: Hitting rock bottom with my unicorns and alley-corns left me feeling counterproductive and lethargic.

[00:03:03] [SPEAKER_00]: Relieving unfamiliar stressors with digital entertainment had been comforting at first,

[00:03:09] [SPEAKER_00]: but several weeks of excessive screen time sapped my motivation for any greater purpose.

[00:03:15] [SPEAKER_00]: Ready for healthier habits, I resolved to get back in control of my tech use once and for all.

[00:03:21] [SPEAKER_00]: The most important lesson I learned during my second digital detox is that in-the-moment willpower is fickle.

[00:03:30] [SPEAKER_00]: Mastering digital minimalism is all about setting yourself up for success in advance

[00:03:35] [SPEAKER_00]: so you won't need to rely solely on willpower.

[00:03:39] [SPEAKER_00]: I also discovered the importance of modifying screen time strategies and goals during major life changes.

[00:03:45] [SPEAKER_00]: Knowing several techniques ahead of time allows for a more seamless transition.

[00:03:51] [SPEAKER_00]: Here's a playbook of the eight practices I've found most effective in reducing my screen time.

[00:03:57] [SPEAKER_00]: Number one, build a support system.

[00:04:01] [SPEAKER_00]: Speaking up is the first step to normalizing a screen-free lifestyle.

[00:04:05] [SPEAKER_00]: I'm growing more comfortable talking about my need to unplug.

[00:04:09] [SPEAKER_00]: By bringing up the issue, I've learned that my entire social circle is experiencing digital overwhelm too.

[00:04:16] [SPEAKER_00]: Once we broke the stigma, we were able to help each other stay on track.

[00:04:20] [SPEAKER_00]: The best part was setting new standards for response times.

[00:04:24] [SPEAKER_00]: Nobody feels guilty for waiting until it's convenient to reply to texts and emails.

[00:04:29] [SPEAKER_00]: Number two, replace some technology with analog alternatives.

[00:04:34] [SPEAKER_00]: Using a smartphone to update my calendar or grocery list often led to wasting time on other apps.

[00:04:41] [SPEAKER_00]: I avoid that temptation now by using a paper notebook for planning and list making.

[00:04:46] [SPEAKER_00]: Number three, turn off most notifications.

[00:04:50] [SPEAKER_00]: Phone calls and text messages are the only phone features I allow notifications from.

[00:04:56] [SPEAKER_00]: I check email and other apps at my convenience instead of reacting every time a notification appears.

[00:05:02] [SPEAKER_00]: Number four, use do not disturb mode.

[00:05:05] [SPEAKER_00]: From 9pm to 6am every day, my phone is in automated do not disturb mode.

[00:05:12] [SPEAKER_00]: I also turn on do not disturb manually when I'm working or driving.

[00:05:16] [SPEAKER_00]: In case of emergencies, I allow text message overrides from anyone on my contact list who types urgent.

[00:05:23] [SPEAKER_00]: Number five, unsubscribe and unfollow.

[00:05:26] [SPEAKER_00]: It was easy to decide which blogs and newsletters and social media accounts to leave behind once I started considering how much I'd be willing to pay for their updates.

[00:05:37] [SPEAKER_00]: Any content that I wouldn't spend money on isn't worth my time either.

[00:05:42] [SPEAKER_00]: Number six, dock your phone.

[00:05:45] [SPEAKER_00]: Portability makes our devices even more addictive.

[00:05:48] [SPEAKER_00]: I used to carry my smartphone around in my pocket even when I was at home.

[00:05:52] [SPEAKER_00]: Now I keep devices near the garage door.

[00:05:55] [SPEAKER_00]: When I get an urge to use my phone, I'm forced to pause and decide if I want to walk across the house to collect it.

[00:06:02] [SPEAKER_00]: Number seven, time block online activities.

[00:06:06] [SPEAKER_00]: Scheduling specific time slots for all non-essential tech use makes both my online and offline time more focused.

[00:06:14] [SPEAKER_00]: When I think of an optional online task, I write it down as a reminder for later instead of grabbing my phone right away.

[00:06:23] [SPEAKER_00]: And number eight, set personalized conditions for addictive apps.

[00:06:28] [SPEAKER_00]: Some digital minimalists have resolved to only watch Netflix with family or friends.

[00:06:33] [SPEAKER_00]: Others won't use social media until chores are finished.

[00:06:36] [SPEAKER_00]: The biggest game changer for me was creating a smartphone folder labeled bike.

[00:06:41] [SPEAKER_00]: Apps in that folder are only options if I'm riding my stationary bike.

[00:06:47] [SPEAKER_00]: My quarantine experience taught me to abandon all or nothing thinking about technology.

[00:06:52] [SPEAKER_00]: I now have the tools to maintain a screen life balance even in difficult circumstances.

[00:06:57] [SPEAKER_00]: Time for higher priorities plus a calm, focused state of mind have been my rewards for practicing digital minimalism.

[00:07:05] [SPEAKER_00]: I hope the eight strategies mentioned will help you accomplish your goals as well.

[00:07:15] [SPEAKER_00]: You just listened to the post titled,

[00:07:17] [SPEAKER_00]: How I Got Digital Minimalism Right the Second Time Around by Leslie Watson with BecomingMinimalist.com.

[00:07:24] [SPEAKER_01]: Buy low, sell high.

[00:07:26] [SPEAKER_01]: It's easy to say, hard to do.

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[00:08:26] [SPEAKER_00]: Take it at Leslie, a guest writer on Joshua Becker's site, Becoming Minimalist.

[00:08:31] [SPEAKER_00]: There was a great line there,

[00:08:33] [SPEAKER_00]: Willpower is fickle.

[00:08:36] [SPEAKER_00]: It's totally true and something we've heard here and there on this show before.

[00:08:40] [SPEAKER_00]: Willpower and motivation can get us started, that's great,

[00:08:44] [SPEAKER_00]: but holding a habit is by far the hardest and most valuable part.

[00:08:48] [SPEAKER_00]: But the good news is, you can set up your environment in a way that makes building the habit easier.

[00:08:54] [SPEAKER_00]: Even if it's something small that makes it just a tiny bit easier, well that's a win.

[00:08:59] [SPEAKER_00]: All eight of the suggestions in today's post are great places to start if you're trying to lower that screen time.

[00:09:05] [SPEAKER_00]: But it's tough, I'm in the same boat.

[00:09:07] [SPEAKER_00]: Most everything I do for work is digital.

[00:09:10] [SPEAKER_00]: Even recording this sounds like it might not be, but I keep the blog post on a screen

[00:09:14] [SPEAKER_00]: instead of on paper because that would be thousands of pages of writing if I had to print it all out.

[00:09:20] [SPEAKER_00]: Then at night, I usually like some kind of TV entertainment.

[00:09:24] [SPEAKER_00]: Then there's texts, emails, it's a lot of screens.

[00:09:28] [SPEAKER_00]: If you take a look at wherever your phone tracks it,

[00:09:32] [SPEAKER_00]: I'm sure it'll be shockingly high for you as well.

[00:09:34] [SPEAKER_00]: So always a good idea to try to limit it, even just a bit where we can.

[00:09:40] [SPEAKER_00]: One thing I try to do is not do video calls.

[00:09:43] [SPEAKER_00]: And instead, audio calls only.

[00:09:46] [SPEAKER_00]: That way I'm off of a screen, but also I can walk around comfortably and get extra steps in.

[00:09:52] [SPEAKER_00]: That's how the co-founder of this show and I catch up.

[00:09:55] [SPEAKER_00]: It's actually very, very rare that we catch up on video.

[00:09:58] [SPEAKER_00]: But see what works for you.

[00:10:00] [SPEAKER_00]: You never know what will help.

[00:10:02] [SPEAKER_00]: So have a great start to your week.

[00:10:03] [SPEAKER_00]: Thank you for being here with me and listening every day.

[00:10:06] [SPEAKER_00]: And I'll be back tomorrow, where your optimal life awaits.