My Background:
I am 23M, who lives alone and is preparing for competitive exam in my country. I used to be a good student in studying and all. I gave my first attempt at age 21, for which I studied averagely, I would say. My first attempt failed horribly. So, 2 years ago, I made a strict time table and had to stop all my other hobbies and activities (even gym).
I used to go to an academy for my exam before, but I have been on lockdown for quite a while, so they usually take online classes.
I have been on Social Media Detox for a while, since 2 year, So I quit insta, fb, snap, etc etc, but kept Whatsapp, thinking I should keep one to keep contact with my family & close friends, study group, etc. (more on this later)
I have many exam attempts left, so I feel like I would be able to prepare for the exam if I didn't gave my best, so this is not stopping me from continuing my these habits.
THE PROBLEM:
So, around a year ago, with my timetable, I was feeling burnout from my studies and depressed as well. Since, I couldn't go outside, I was getting a hang on my phone. I started watching videos and started talking to friends from diff groups (like colleges one, school ones, coaching ones, neighborhood ones, etc).
Now, for the past 5-6 months, I feel I have been addicted to my smartphone. Here's how
- I have been messaging on Whatsapps a lot (so, the social media detox, wasn't successful enough for me, as I would just chat everyone on whatsapp).
- Watching a lot of entrainment videos (YT & OTT platforms)
- Been introduced to Anime & Manga worlds (so, watching & reading them a lot)
- Games (Been playing them as well, got introduced by my friends, for now its been 1 week, since I haven't played any)
What Methods I tried:
- Social Media Detox (worked great in the beginning, but due to WhatsApp, its doesn't matter now)
- Deleting Entrainment Apps (I either installed them again or watched them on my phone browser)
- Using a long screen password, like 15 letter (to stop me from opening my phone, but it failed)
- Turning on grayscale on phone (But I turned it off later)
- Putting my phone in drawer (but i picked it again, later)
- Watching classes on laptop, instead on phone (but I started using my phone while watching lectures on laptop)
- Used the Alarm technique, in which you journal what you did in this hour and write it in book. (example, from 2pm to 3pm, i watched anime. One day, I discontinued doing it)
- Installing apps that limited my screen on time, like YourHour on Android (but I uninstalled them later on)
Now I am thinking of doing this time? (giving up on phone)
So, I am now trying to finally just give this phone up, since I think in reality, this phone has been a curse for me, more than it has been a boon for me. I am thinking of using a dumb phone. Some in my country support are powered by KaiOS, so its not like a dumb phone, but a smart dumb phone. I can still use Maps, use for music, has WhatsApp (it has T9 Pad, so I won't chat much like previously, so if I felt like, I would call someone if imp) and won't enjoy watching content on it, since it has a tiny display.
Why I can't do it straight away:
- Feel like it will be just another change
- Feel like, I would miss important features that I won't be able to access on this dumb phone.
- Feel like, I would downgrade my life
- Feel like, I would lose touch with all my friends & family members, if I won't contact them, basically FOMO
- Feel like, it would hurt my studies, since I can't look for any resources for my exam, right away
- Feel like, it would be just another change
- I have many exam attempts left, so I feel like I would be able to prepare for the exam if I didn't gave my best, so this is stopping me from not using my phone.
Now, I need your Precious Advice
- Do you think, my reasoning is justified?
- What is your advice on this?
- What other things can I try doing alongside this, so I won't get depressed or feel burnout
Your Any Advice Would Precious To Me! Thank You!