I Stopped Using My Phone. The results were shocking

Summary

In this video, the creator explores the idea of going phone-free for 30 days, replacing their smartphone with a notebook. The experiment reveals the profound impact of phone addiction, including the anxiety and constant dopamine-seeking behavior that phones contribute to. The creator finds freedom in being without a phone, embracing boredom and downtime, which fosters creativity and mindfulness. Although the experiment had challenges, such as getting lost without GPS, it led to a greater appreciation for social interaction and present-moment awareness. The video also introduces an app, Clearspace, designed to help reduce screen time.

Takeaways

• 😀 The average American spends nearly 6 hours a day on their phone, which adds up to 3 months per year and 15 years over a lifetime.
• 😀 Excessive phone usage can often lead to a feeling of guilt, even if the user doesn’t want to be on their device as much.
• 😀 The speaker decided to try an experiment: stop using their phone for 30 days and replace it with a notebook.
• 😀 While humans have always had forms of communication, only 5–6 billion people have used smartphones, showing how recent this technology is in human history.
• 😀 The experiment showed that not having a phone can be incredibly freeing, eliminating the constant anxiety of checking for messages or updates.
• 😀 One of the biggest insights was that it’s okay to experience boredom and downtime, which can lead to creativity and mental relaxation.
• 😀 Without a phone, the speaker noticed small details in their surroundings and felt more connected to their environment.
• 😀 People are increasingly addicted to dopamine hits from constant phone usage, leading to an inability to just let the mind wander.
• 😀 There were some downsides to the experiment, including getting lost without the convenience of phone maps and missing trains due to lack of access to tickets.
• 😀 Social skills improved by not relying on the phone, making the speaker more willing to engage with people in real life.
• 😀 Although the speaker didn’t complete the full 30 days, they learned that phone dependency is pervasive, and it’s tough to fully abstain for long periods of time.
• 😀 Tools like ClearSpace, an app designed to reduce screen time, helped the speaker cut down their phone usage from hours to just 90 minutes per day.

Q & A

What was the main idea behind the experiment in the video?

The main idea behind the experiment was to stop using a phone entirely for 30 days and replace it with a notebook, to see how it would affect the user's daily life, mental state, and social interactions.

How much time do Americans typically spend on their phones daily?

On average, Americans now spend close to six hours per day on their phones, which amounts to approximately three months per year.

What feeling does the speaker experience when using their phone excessively?

The speaker often experiences a feeling of guilt when using their phone for extended periods, questioning why they are using it so much despite not wanting to be on it.

What historical perspective does the speaker provide about smartphone use?

The speaker points out that only a small fraction of the human population (around five or six billion people) has used smartphones in their lifetime, highlighting that 96% of people throughout history lived without them.

What was one of the most freeing experiences the speaker had during the experiment?

One of the most freeing experiences was not having the constant anxiety or panic of needing to check their phone, such as when they forgot it at home or when their phone was almost out of battery.

What did the speaker learn about boredom and downtime?

The speaker learned that boredom and downtime are essential for mental well-being. By not filling every moment with phone use, they allowed themselves to daydream, think creatively, and observe the world around them more attentively.

What were some of the difficulties the speaker faced without a phone?

The speaker faced challenges like getting lost without access to directions, not being able to print tickets when traveling, and having to ask strangers for help, which was both frustrating and socially engaging.

How did the experiment impact the speaker’s social interactions?

The experiment helped the speaker become more socially engaged. Without the phone to rely on, they were more willing to talk to strangers and interact with people in a more direct and spontaneous way.

Why does the speaker believe this experiment might be impossible to conduct in the future?

The speaker suggests that in the future, phones will become even more integrated into daily life, with technologies like mobile payments replacing physical credit cards, making it difficult or impossible to function without a phone.

What tool or technique did the speaker use to reduce phone usage after the experiment?

After the experiment, the speaker started using a company called ClearSpace, which helped reduce screen time by introducing delays before accessing certain apps, encouraging the speaker to rethink their app usage and spend less time on their phone.