Less noise. More clarity. That’s what I needed.
A while ago, I noticed something was off. I’d pick up my phone just to check the time... and next thing I know, I’m scrolling through reels I didn’t even like. 20 minutes gone. Just like that. Again and again.
I wasn’t using my phone — it was using me.
I didn’t want to “delete social media” and go full monk mode. That’s not me. But I wanted control back. I wanted a phone that helped me live better, not pull me into rabbit holes.
So here’s what I did. No extreme steps. Just small ones that actually made a difference.
1. Cleaned the Home Screen
I removed everything — no widgets, no social apps, not even the clock. Just a blank wallpaper and a few core tools:
- Phone
- Messages
- Calendar
- Camera
No red dots. No shiny icons. Just calm.
2. Moved Addictive Apps to a Folder Named “Think Twice”
All my distractions — Instagram, YouTube, Twitter — went into a folder that’s two swipes away. I named it “Think Twice”.
And trust me, that name helped.
Every time I tried opening it, I paused. “Do I really want to open this or am I just bored?” That pause saved me so many times.
3. Disabled Notifications Ruthlessly
Only calls and calendar reminders make a sound now. No pings from apps. No “someone liked your post” kind of noise.
The peace I got after this was unreal.
4. Set Phone to Grayscale at Night
I scheduled my phone to go gray at 9pm every night. No colors, no dopamine.
The magic? I stop reaching for it just to “look”.
5. No Phone Till Breakfast
This rule changed my mornings. No phone till I brush, stretch, and write in my notebook.
Mornings are quiet. My thoughts are clearer. I no longer start my day reacting to other people’s lives.
I didn’t buy a new phone. I didn’t quit tech. I just made my phone boring — and my life a bit more intentional.
If you’ve been feeling hijacked by your phone, maybe try one of these. Don’t try all. Start with one. See how it feels.
You don’t need a new app. You just need space to breathe.
