It’s been a long time since I posted here, and the reason was I was on a mission to cut my long hours of screen time. I used to spend around 4 hours daily on devices, which totals up to 1,460 hours a year—basically two whole months of staring at a screen! That realization hit me hard, and I decided to do something about it.
Here’s how I tackled it:
First, I deactivated all my social media accounts—TikTok, Instagram, Twitch (yes, I streamed occasionally), and Twitter—and uninstalled them from all my devices, logging out from my PC, laptop, and Chromebook as well. But I knew having a smartphone could tempt me to backslide, so I went a step further and switched to a dumb phone. (If you don’t know about dumb phones, check this out:
https://www.euronews.com/next/2023/06/22/what-is-a-dumb-phone-and-why-are-so-many-young-people-buying-them.)
However, only using a dumb phone posed a challenge, especially since I solo travel and camp a lot. Maps and some other tools are essential. So, I got a cheap Android phone from Amazon, rooted it, and deleted all the bloatware and default social media apps. Then, I installed only the essentials: maps, my email client, Firefox browser, Termux (for occasional w3m use), and WhatsApp (mainly to stay connected with my parents and friends). With two SIM cards, it became easier—Android for basic internet, and the dumb phone for calls, alarms, and the calendar.
The results? I cut my screen time from 4 hours a day to less than 25 minutes daily. It feels like a personal milestone!
Here’s how it changed my life:
My sleep improved—now I get a proper 8 hours of deep rest.
My concentration has skyrocketed.
Family time is better—no more scrolling at dinner, and my parents are happier.
My academic performance improved significantly.
No more FOMO—I'm completely at peace without social media.
I now live in the moment, without obsessing over taking photos or videos.
Taking proper sunlight, doing exercise, yoga, and running have also been key parts of my lifestyle change.
Even people around me notice how much more chill and fit I look.
When I need the web for homework, Bitcoin research, or assignments, I only use my PC. With NextDNS, I’ve blocked all social media and distracting sites, and I rely on books for most of my references now.
Also, I’m working on a novel! It’s set in the 2090s when humanity discovers they originally came from Mars. Billions of years ago, after a war among early humans, they sent a DNA life form to Earth before nuking Mars. The story follows a group of adventurers who uncover secrets about immortality, dimensions, and how their “god” is just a nerd running a simulation. I know it sounds a bit silly, but the feedback has been surprisingly positive!Anyway, that’s my story. I just wanted to share it with you all and ask—how do you cut your screen time? I’d love to know your thoughts and strategies.
I’ll probably log out again after posting this, but it’s great to be back for a bit. How’s everyone doing here?