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Absolutely cannot take credit for this (my husband hipped me to the concept). Basically, you delete or hide most of your apps so you’re down to a bare minimum. I could probably stand to chop a couple more… but the idea is, you have less readily distracting you on your phone!
Here’s my new home screen.
2d ago
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have been toying of the idea of switching to a dumb phone for a while but decided i may as well start by seeing what i can do with this phone first.
deleted all unnecessary/time-wasting apps, adjusted settings to make phone less stimulating, and while i was at it i redesigned my homescreen to reduce clutter and fit the old tech vibe i’m manifesting for myself!!!
was a tedious process but i’m happy with the results, using my phone already feels less overwhelming overall :)
(btw if anyone is interested in lobotomizing their phone this is the guide i followed)
Jan 22, 2025
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I've been researching purchasing a dumb phone on and off for about a year and have realized that, even if we don't want to be, there are so many things that require us to have a phone nowadays - whether it be for work, school, or going out, a phone is required almost everywhere. if you are really struggling with phone addiction, delete all the social media apps off of your phone (keep the accounts you have for now) and whittle down your apps to the absolute basics. for me, I just have Spotify, my navigation app, and my school/work/banking necessities. you are able to redownload apps or look websites up online, but you also need to put the commitment in yourself. I've been starting to use my phone less and less (average screen time is around five hours) but I also know that I still have work to do. if you want any more useful tips let me know!
Nov 21, 2024
as a side effect of my job (and being me): I am chronically online and trying to fix that. this is my new home screen on my iPhone 15 Pro. I installed an app blocker so that when I shift into my custom minimal focus, only the default apps and what is on my home screen function.
its only been a few days but this paired with journaling when I’m “bored” instead of endlessly scrolling has already had a positive effect on my mental health. I can still freely browse on my desktop, but my phone is slowly turning into less and less of a dopamine sink and I think I’m gonna stick with it!!
Feb 8, 2024
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i canceled my Spotify account over the summer and have spent the last few months rebuilding my digital music library on a refurbished iPod Touch. reading critiques of the app (and it’s enshittification), i realized i wasn’t even sure of my own musical tastes and preferences. i had stopped picking for myself, stopped seeking out new music, ceasing to know how to choose what i wanted or articulate what i like.
breaking free from the algorithm has been such a joy! i’m borrowing gobs of music from the library, rebuilding my old playlists, and consuming more music than i have in years. and better yet, my data isn’t being tracked by Spotify and i own what’s in my personal library. further, my receptors are more open when i’m out in the world exposed to music, searching for recommendations in an organic way.
Jan 16, 2025
i’ve been trying to articulate why i enjoy this space so much. yes, the UX is reminiscent of Tumblr and the early days of the internet. and there’s genuine sincerity and vulnerability on here that makes it feel really cozy and real, which i haven’t felt online in at least a decade.
but i think what’s undergirding my love of this space is how anti-capitalist it feels. most of the recs everyone shares are vibe-checks, quality of life shifts, meditations and offers, music and movies, just plain good art. i don’t feel compelled to buy anything when i come here. i feel excited and pumped to be a cheerleader, find connection, find common ground. and FWIW the recs i’ve shared that have gotten the most traction are my suggestions for leading a less capitalistic / consumerist life (quitting Amazon, getting off of Spotify, building community to take care of you and your things).
all of this is to say, i love it here and i love you guys.
Feb 7, 2025
hear me out—this one might feel impossible, but i quit purchasing items on Amazon in 2018 and cancelled my GoodReads account shortly after.
i did some serious reflection and realized i’d become super reliant upon, and frankly, quite used to the instant gratification of purchasing something and knowing i’d have it within a day. that’s not normal. the labor practices, economics, and environmental impacts of getting what you want from the internet delivered quickly and right to your door are skewed. i was filling a void in myself with mindless purchases.
i’m aware that they service a huge swath of the internet (Amazon Web Services), own Whole Foods and Abe Books, and will likely take over more businesses we like and rely on. weaning off and avoiding entirely is very very hard, but it can also be a measured decision. that said, i know that it is a privilege to abstain from Amazon. i am able bodied, i don’t have kids, i have access to a car, i live in an urban environment with access to a lot of stuff at my fingertips. but making the choice to break out of the Amazon loop has ultimately been better for my pocketbook and better for my relationship to these mega-tech-companies that have their fingers in everything.
in contrast, i’m becoming more interested in alternate economies, like bartering and sharing. i love the idea of having commonly shared tools and items (tool libraries are very cool). we don’t need to own it all, we have each other.
interested in exploring more? the zine pictured below is a great start, and summarizes a much larger book by the same author on how to resist the leviathan that is Amazon.
Jan 22, 2025