7 Benefits of Life without a Smartphone Explained by a Licensed Therapist

Summary

In this video, Colin from Kingdom Culture Counseling shares his experience with using a flip phone for 16 months as an alternative to a smartphone. He discusses seven benefits, including being more present with family, increased face-to-face interactions, faster personal growth without constant information overload, improved productivity, greater authenticity in social interactions, reduced anxiety from not constantly checking for updates, and better boundaries for work-life balance. Colin challenges viewers to try a flip phone for a month and shares his personal anecdotes to highlight the positive impact on his life.

Takeaways

• 📱 Colin switched to a flip phone 16 months ago and enjoys the experience.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 He feels more present with his wife and three kids, as he's not distracted by a smartphone.
• 👥 He interacts with people more, as seen when his friend talked to a stranger while waiting for car maintenance instead of being on his phone.
• 📚 Colin believes he grows faster because he's not constantly consuming information without reflecting on it.
• 🏆 He's more productive since there are no distractions like apps or endless scrolling on a smartphone.
• 🌟 People are more transparent and real with him, as he's not presenting a curated social media life.
• 💆‍♂️ He doesn't worry as much, especially about things like health anxiety, because he’s not constantly Googling symptoms.
• 🔇 Using a flip phone helps him set boundaries by not being constantly reachable or distracted by texts and notifications.
• 📍 One inconvenience is the lack of navigation apps, but he uses it as an opportunity to learn the city better.
• 👍 Colin encourages others to try a flip phone for a month, believing it can lead to a more intentional and fulfilling life.

Q & A

What type of phone does Colin use and why does he prefer it?

Colin uses a flip phone because he finds it helps him be more present with his family and reduces his reliance on his phone for entertainment or distractions.

How long has Colin been using his flip phone?

Colin has been using his flip phone for about 16 months.

What are some features that Colin's flip phone has?

Colin's flip phone has a calendar, can take pictures, record video, play music, and send text messages, although it doesn't support apps or internet/email on his particular model.

What is the most important lesson Colin has learned from using a flip phone?

The most important lesson Colin has learned is being more present with his family and not getting distracted by his phone.

How does Colin's phone usage affect his interactions with others?

Colin finds that he interacts with people more when he's not using a smartphone, as he's not distracted by apps or the internet and is more open to engaging in conversations.

What does Colin think about the impact of smartphones on personal growth?

Colin believes that smartphones can hinder personal growth because they encourage a binge-like consumption of information without giving time for reflection and application.

Why does Colin feel more productive with a flip phone?

Colin feels more productive with a flip phone because there are fewer distractions and he doesn't get caught up in browsing the internet or using apps, allowing him to focus on tasks at hand.

How does having a flip phone affect the way people perceive Colin?

Having a flip phone makes people perceive Colin more transparently, as he doesn't have the facade of curated social media posts to maintain.

What is one of the challenges Colin's wife faces with him having a flip phone?

One challenge is that Colin's wife has to be more patient with him when he takes longer to respond to texts due to the slower nature of the flip phone.

What is Colin's advice for people considering a flip phone?

Colin suggests trying a flip phone for a month to see if it improves their presence, interactions, and overall quality of life.

What are some of the inconveniences Colin mentions about using a flip phone?

Some inconveniences include the lack of maps, taking longer to text, and not being able to use apps or access the internet/email on his model.