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Ask HN: Mobile phone addiction help?

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Re: Ask HN: Mobile phone addiction help?

#111

Post by vchynarov »

~The Triple Ziploc Bag method.~

I dedicate a few days a month to being absolutely phone-free. The key point is I'm allowed to use Reddit/IG but I have to use a laptop/desktop to access them. This method requires a key ingredient: three ziploc bags.

I wrap both my work phone (when not oncall) and my personal phone in three nested ziploc bags and put them in a drawer. This acts as a great deterrent most of the time.

I've started doing this on/off since last December. Each month I aim to have at least like 6+ completely phone free days. This isn't to say I still don't have bad days where I'm completely addicted to my phone, but overall I feel so much better with this habit.

My therapist who deals with other software engineers has mentioned me as a positive case study for people with similar problems :)

Re: Ask HN: Mobile phone addiction help?

#112

Post by criddell »

davzie wrote: post #54

My time to shine! I spent 2 - 3 years going back and forth between dumb phones and smartphones with various different measures for the same reasons. Here is my video with my final summations on the topic and how some techniques I’ve found may help you (iOS specific): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-TKgRxdA5o Feel free to follow me on Twitter too and chat about any questions you have. I’ve been playing around with t…

I feel like telling a phone addict to meet you on YouTube and Twitter to chat is like inviting an alcoholic to a bar to discuss their drinking problem.

Re: Ask HN: Mobile phone addiction help?

#113

Post by livre »

toast0 wrote: post #87
teserodo wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can you advise a bank account? I have three, currently, and they all require a smartphone to use them. My GitHub account now also requires a smartphone to log in for 2fa, which I was required to setup on my account (they do have SMS functionality, but not in my country). More and more, a smartphone is simply inescapable as a form of identity. It sucks - but the backup form of identity is a phone number, which sucks e…

Not intending to offend or be offensive, but how do old people bank in your country? My parents wouldn't be caught dead with a smartphone, but they still need to do banking.

I can't speak for GP but we have mobile-only* banks in my country too. They usually have better interest rates, let you easily pay your bills from the app and let anyone open an account with just an ID. Many traditional banks have a lot of not so easy to meet requirements for opening an account and not so good customer service. Old people still use traditional banks because they are used to them and don't mind waiting 4 or 5 hours in queue for something that only takes 2 minutes on an app or a website.

* To clarify this, I don't mean banks that require a mobile app for TOTP or some sort of security, I mean banks that only let you operate through their mobile app. Their website is usually just a link to the app stores. and some FAQ, they don't have a physical location you can go.

Re: Ask HN: Mobile phone addiction help?

#114

Post by WrtCdEvrydy »

retrac wrote: post #79

I am inclined to agree with the others than a technological solution is not likely what you need. The trick is to segregate these areas mentally, so that you are acutely aware of when you are "on forbidden ground". The "rubber band" trick has been mentioned here already, and it's based on helping to re-enforce that awareness. Technological solutions can help do this. Timer apps that give you a regular notice to "GTFO…

> No porn. No hookup apps. No endless-browsing online shopping.

But... why even have a phone if you can't buy random shit online?

Re: Ask HN: Mobile phone addiction help?

#115

Post by 1270018080 »

bishnu wrote: post #57

The rubber band trick [1] really helped me. Took my unlocks-per-day from ~100 to ~20. I took it off after about 2 weeks and it's more or less stayed that way. 1: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/mo...

For others reading, the rubber band trick is just putting a rubber band around the device to make you think about it.

I thought it was going to be classically condition yourself by snapping yourself in the wrist with a rubber band every time you use your phone.

Re: Ask HN: Mobile phone addiction help?

#116

Post by reaperducer »

What worked for me recently is fighting tech with tech. And by that, I mean I got a hand-me-down Apple Watch. It's the Series 3 (low end).

It does enough to keep me connected (SMS, e-mail, music), but the interface isn't all-absorbing like a phone, so I don't waste hours of my life doomscrolling. I end up doing just what's needed and moving on.

Note that if you need cellular connectivity, you'll have to get a used Series 3. Apple no longer makes a Series 3 with a cellular connection. Or you could get a Series 6 or an SE, if that's in your budget.

Re: Ask HN: Mobile phone addiction help?

#117

Post by mosseater »

Here's what happened to me. I dropped my phone at the bank, and it completely broke. The time to get a replacement was so long (2 weeks) I had to come up with another solution. So now I have a google voice number, already synced with my google contacts. I can access the calls, voicemails, and texts on my computer. I have a gps app on my tablet. The only thing I'm missing is a prepaid tracphone in case I need to dial 911.

It's not modern by any means, but do I -really- need 4G and calling where ever I go?

Probably actually, this shit sucks.

Re: Ask HN: Mobile phone addiction help?

#118

Post by [deleted] »

throwaway_kufu wrote: post #106
retrac wrote: post #79

I am inclined to agree with the others than a technological solution is not likely what you need. The trick is to segregate these areas mentally, so that you are acutely aware of when you are "on forbidden ground". The "rubber band" trick has been mentioned here already, and it's based on helping to re-enforce that awareness. Technological solutions can help do this. Timer apps that give you a regular notice to "GTFO…

>tand when you're on the phone. Don't sit down and slump and relax. I like this and though I rarely talk on the phone, when I do the vast majority of the time I pace back and forth. Even at the office I’d close the door and do the same. Never thought about these actions at all until now. Maybe somewhat related growing up my older brother used to do push-ups (usually 20) every time he opened the refrigerator. Watching…

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Mobile phone addiction help?

#120

Post by yosito »

rchaud wrote: post #105
yosito wrote: post #81

Something that worked for me: I bought an Onyx Boox Note, which runs most Android apps. I installed all of my news and social apps on that, and uninstalled them from my phone. When I want to consume content for entertainment, I use that. The e ink screen adds enough friction and takes away some of the stimulation, so it's far less addictive. My phone use has dropped to about 1 hour a day, just for necessary messaging…

I have been considering this as well, as I was looking at ReMarkable and other e-ink options. Having a big-screen phone with a quad-core processor or whatever makes reaching for distractions too easy. Unfortunately I still need to keep a phone around for taking quick notes.

Yeah, the Onyx Boox Note works well for notes. The reason I didn't get Remarkable is because I wanted access to my cross platform RSS reader and other reading apps.
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