Making changes

I got my first mobile phone in 1999 (I think). I got an iPod in 2003 (wedding money, I think my wife bought some pans and an iron or something).

(Photo from https://unsplash.com/photos/goholCAVTRs?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditShareLink)

I distinctly remember missing a work call on one device because I was listening to music on the other and thinking “if only”.

In 2007 I joined Twitter and got an iPhone (I’m an Apple fanboi). Twitter was amazing back then - talk to strangers, stay connected. Over the next few years, my music was interrupted by calls, replies, breaking news, notifications and everything else.

A couple of years ago I saw the LightPhone - a phone designed for you not to use it. No notifications, no feeds, very pretty but simple design. And I thought it was a great idea.

So now I’m doing my own version of that.

I’ve switched off most notifications and I don’t carry my phone with me much. I can receive calls, send messages and listen to music and books on my Apple Watch (fanboi, remember?). But not much else.

And I can feel the difference. That urge to read any old crap because I’ve got 30 seconds to fill is still there but I’m aware of it and use that time to stay where I am instead.

Because you don’t have to keep doing things the same way you’ve always done them.

So what small change should you be making? And what’s stopping you?