Phone Addiction/Wasting Time

Like every other person on this planet I seem to have an endless addiction to my phone.  I realize that before I had a smart phone I was also similarly obsessed with my laptop, and before that my desktop computer, but the tiny computer is very easy to take everywhere.  Additionally, we all know that over the years companies that sell devices, apps, content creators, etc. who all want everyone to LOOK at their stuff, and to look for as long as possible have gotten significantly better at enticing us.  I can't really use that as an excuse, as I'd like to be responsible for my behavior, but it surely contributes to increased time spent starting at my tiny screen.  

As I try to pull away from bad technological behavior, I have been focusing on creating instead of consuming so much.  And by consuming I mean both buying physical stuff (junk) and just endlessly doom scrolling as many of us are prone to do.  Do I enjoy a good LOTR meme, a funny video about how someone modified Crocs with a plow attachment, or some sourdough bread tips?  Sure.  But do I also get sucked into which celebrity houses burned down, mindless videos about nothing, and far too many conspiracy theories?  Also yes.  What a waste of time.  

Last week I was listening to a video (instead of watching, how noble) about why the internet isn't fun anymore.  There are several videos about it out there, but my main takeaway was that most of the internet is now just thrown at us (algorithm), where we used to have to go out and find it.  In the "olden days" we had to search for our favorite musician's fan page, put a little effort to research a topic, maybe even write our own blog, etc.  I have noticed that over the past several years, Google and all search engines are almost painful to use.  They serve up often wrong answers, or you can't find the actual information you want.  Pages of fake content will be among the top ten options offered.  Even the recipe pages are like that!

What's the answer for me?  It's easy to say just get rid of your phone.  Just do a digital detox.  Just get a dumb phone.  (Look I have a timed lock box for my phone that I never use!)  I know the phone is awful for me, my mental health, my productivity, my family.  "But I need it for XYZ" is always the track that plays in my mind.  So for now because I can't seem to break up with my phone, I will focus on cutting back by replacing it with creating.  For many years I actively created instead of wasting time on the internet.  Then I primarily used it for looking at quilts and fabric, posting about quilts, and writing/reading blogs.  I don't need to keep being a consumer of the current digital content that doesn't serve me.  My plan is two fold: 

1. Get on the internet with a purpose.  Not just because I'm bored/have 5 minutes/etc.
2. Spend more time quilting, baking bread, real life socializing, etc.  I don't need more to-dos, I have plenty of those, but actual enjoyable activities that are interesting and fulfilling.

I am hopeful I can stop wasting lots of time accomplishing nothing, take back some of the disconnectedness I feel, and contribute to creativity/creation instead of just being an endless consumer.