From Phone Addict to Mindful Life: How I Cured My Addiction Within a Few Weeks

How I Cured My Phone Addiction Within a Few Weeks

I cured my Phone Addiction within a few weeks of doing THIS

Are you someone who has been struggling with phone addiction for a while? Do you find yourself spending hours scrolling through social media and neglecting your daily tasks and responsibilities? If so, you're not alone. In fact, phone addiction is becoming increasingly common, with reports suggesting that the average daily screen time of Indians has increased by 24% after the COVID pandemic.

The Growing Problem of Phone Addiction

My name is Harsh, and I too was struggling with phone addiction until I found a solution that worked for me. As a content creator, I was spending around 7-8 hours on my phone daily, which led to issues like memory loss, sleep deficit, anxiety, creativity blocks, and concentration issues. But, like many others, I believed that my screen time was justified because of my profession.

My Struggle with Phone Addiction

It wasn't until I found myself forgetting simple things like where I kept my watch or even a glass of water that I realized the gravity of the situation. If I was already struggling with memory loss at such a young age, what would happen to me in my old age? I soon realized that phone addiction was to blame, and I needed to find a solution to fix it.

The Solution That Worked for Me

I tried all the temporary solutions available like app locks, screen time trackers, and even putting my phone on focus mode, but nothing seemed to work. I felt like a child being denied their favourite chocolate, and my urge to scroll social media only increased.

Creating Friction to Reduce Phone Usage

It wasn't until I stumbled upon a solution that worked for me - my phone usage. Let me explain.

One day, while walking in the garden, I noticed that I was stepping on every tile very carefully, and I was very cautious about my leg getting in between the two tiles. It was the same behaviour I exhibited when playing the game Langdi during my childhood. This behaviour was deeply ingrained in my subconscious mind, and I still reacted to it in the same way.

I realized that if I wanted to control my mind and not get addicted to my phone, I needed to gamify it. I made a boundary on my phone's screen time of 4 hours per day. The day when my screen time was below 4 hours, I was a winner, and the day it was more than that, I lost the game.

To achieve this, I kept app time, screen time tracker, and reminders on. To reduce my phone usage from 8 hours to 4 hours, I applied a lesson from Atomic Habits - success is all about making good habits easy and bad habits difficult. So, to deal with my bad habit of phone addiction, I made it difficult for myself to use social media apps by creating friction or difficulty.

I started logging out of apps after I was done using them. So, whenever I picked up my phone next time, I had to enter my ID, password, two-factor authentication, and other details. This made it difficult for me to use social media apps for hours, and it created friction in the way of the dopamine my mind was about to get.

Trust me, this trick may sound small, but it works wonders. Within a few weeks of my phone usage, I was able to reduce my screen time from 8 hours to 4 hours per day. My sleep improved, my anxiety decreased, and my concentration improved. Most importantly, I was able to take control of my phone addiction.

If you too are struggling with phone addiction, I urge you to try your phone usage. Make a boundary on your phone's screen time and aim to stay below that boundary every day. Keep app time, screen time tracker, and reminders to help you achieve your goal. And remember, success is all about making good habits easy and bad habits difficult. So, make it difficult for yourself to indulge in phone addiction by creating friction in the way of the dopamine rush that your mind is craving.

In addition to my phone usage, I also started incorporating other healthy habits in my daily routine. I began practising meditation for 10 minutes every day, which helped me to calm my mind and reduce my anxiety. I also started reading books and listening to podcasts in my free time, which not only reduced my screen time but also helped me gain knowledge and inspiration.

Overcoming Phone Addiction Takes Consistent Efforts

Moreover, I started prioritizing my daily tasks and making a to-do list every morning. By doing so, I was able to focus more on my work and complete my tasks efficiently, without getting distracted by my phone.

Overall, I realized that phone addiction is not a problem that can be solved overnight. It requires consistent efforts and a willingness to change one's habits. But, with the right mindset and strategies, it is possible to overcome phone addiction and take control of one's life.

Take a Step Toward Change Today

So, if you're struggling with phone addiction, I encourage you to take a step towards change today. Try your phone usage, incorporate healthy habits in your routine, and prioritize your daily tasks. With these simple steps, you can start living a more mindful and fulfilling life, free from the grips of phone addiction.

"Addiction is a brain disorder, not a moral failing." - Dr Michael Miller

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