The SOVRN Report
Drop in for quick bit sized nuggets of sovereignty and reclaim your life!
The SOVRN Report
Overcoming Digital Time Suck: Reclaiming Your Life
We introduce actionable steps like scheduled downtime, app limits, and even digital detox days to help you take control of your online habits. From setting aside just 30 minutes of phone-free time to rediscover offline joys, to using blocking software as a nudge toward more mindful behavior, we've got you covered. Let's guide you through retraining your brain to find pleasure in offline activities and ultimately reclaim your life from the digital vortex. Join us for a transformative journey that promises to reset and refresh your daily routine!
ever scroll past like the same meme twice and you're like wait, didn't I already see this Happens to the best of us right, yeah, all the time. Today we're tackling that whole digital time suck thing. You know that feeling of getting sucked into the online world and then suddenly hours have disappeared.
Speaker 2:I think we've all been there.
Speaker 1:For sure. So we're diving deep into this article Overcoming Digital Time Suck, reclaiming your Life.
Speaker 2:Love the title.
Speaker 1:Right, it's like we're taking back our time.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:So the article starts off talking about this idea of digital time suck, and it's not just about endlessly scrolling.
Speaker 2:Oh no, it's way more than that. It's like every notification that pulls you back in, yeah, every quick check that turns into like an hour on Instagram.
Speaker 1:Yes, that's me. It's like my brain is hardwired to get distracted.
Speaker 2:And those little distractions they add up. The article said we can lose like two hours a day just to social media.
Speaker 1:Two hours, seriously yeah.
Speaker 2:And that's just social media, not even like email and all the other stuff.
Speaker 1:That's like a whole movie I could be watching, or you know, actually getting stuff done right it's not just about the time we lose, though.
Speaker 2:It's also about the impact it has on us. Like all that screen time, it can really mess with your stress levels, your sleep yeah, you're constantly on, you know, never really get a break exactly, and the research shows that all that screen time it's linked to higher levels of like anxiety, even depression in some cases. It's kind of scary when you think about it.
Speaker 1:It's like we're trading our mental health for likes and notifications. Not a fair trade.
Speaker 2:Definitely not.
Speaker 1:So we've established this digital time suck is a real thing and it's not good. So what do we do about it? How do we fight back? So how do we break free? This article mentioned scheduled downtime and I'll be honest, I was like, really, I have to schedule my scrolling.
Speaker 2:I know it sounds a little counterintuitive, right.
Speaker 1:A little bit.
Speaker 2:But it's more about being intentional. You know like, instead of just mindlessly scrolling every time you have a free second, you're choosing when you're going to be online.
Speaker 1:So I'm in control instead of letting the pings control me.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and like anything else, it takes practice. Start small, maybe like 30 minutes in the evening, phone free, read a book, talk to your family, whatever you enjoy.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I could see that it's like retraining your brain to actually enjoy those things again instead of always craving that instant dopamine hit. All right, I'm convinced, Scheduled downtime Check. But then this article mentions app limits and blocking software and that sounds a little extreme. Like my screen time is so bad I need an intervention, kind of thing.
Speaker 2:I mean it can be helpful if you're really struggling, but it's not about punishment. It's more like a little nudge to help you become more aware of your habits, like how much time are you actually spending on certain apps? Which ones are your biggest time wasters?
Speaker 1:So it's like a reality check more than anything.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Some people like those apps that give you a little warning when you've hit your limit. Others use website blockers that actually block certain sites during certain times. It's really about finding what works for you.
Speaker 1:Okay, that makes sense. But then they talk about digital detox days and that just sounds next level Like am I supposed to throw my phone in a lake or something?
Speaker 2:You don't have to go that far. It's more about taking a break, you know, hitting the reset button on your brain and body. It could be incredibly refreshing.
Speaker 1:So we're talking like no phone, no laptop, no, nothing for a whole day.
Speaker 2:It doesn't have to be all or nothing. Even starting with a few hours can make a difference. The important thing is to use that time intentionally. What are the things you enjoy but never seem to have time for?
Speaker 1:Oh man, so many things Reading a physical book, going for a walk, you know, things that don't involve staring at a screen.
Speaker 2:Exactly, reconnect to the world outside the digital space and with yourself.
Speaker 1:I like that. So it's not just about being less productive online. It's about remembering there's a whole other world out there.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And here's the thing, those digital detox days. They can actually boost your productivity in the long run.
Speaker 1:Wait, really, how does that work?
Speaker 2:Because when you give your brain a break from all that digital stimulation, it allows for something called diffuse thinking. That's where those aha moments come from, where you make those creative connections you might not have otherwise.
Speaker 1:So stepping away from the problem can actually help you solve it. That's pretty cool. Speaking of problems, this article argues that tech can actually be our ally in this fight against digital time suck. I have to admit I was skeptical.
Speaker 2:It does seem counterintuitive, but it's true.
Speaker 1:Okay, I'm listening. How do we go from tech being the bad guy to tech being our productivity sidekick? So spill the beans. How can tech help us be more productive?
Speaker 2:Well, this article is all about productivity apps, but not just any apps. These are specifically designed to like, wrangle your to-do list and keep you on track. Imagine having, like, a personal assistant for your brain.
Speaker 1:Okay, now that's something I can get behind. My brain could use a little assistance sometimes, especially with to-do lists.
Speaker 2:Right. This article mentioned Todoist. You can make lists, categorize everything, set deadlines, even work on projects with other people.
Speaker 1:No more like like sticky notes falling off your monitor, or those frantic searches through my notes app trying to remember what I was supposed to do five minutes ago. Yeah, been there. What about like staying focused though, because one minute I'm working on a project, the next minute I'm three hours deep into online shopping for like novelty socks. It's a problem.
Speaker 2:Oh, there are definitely apps for that. This article talked about freedom. It lets you block distracting websites and apps for specific amounts of time. So, like, if you need to finish that report, no more social media until you're done.
Speaker 1:It's like a do not disturb sign for your brain. Oh OK, that's kind of genius. But then they talk about this idea of mindful consumption, and I'm not really sure what that means in this context.
Speaker 2:So, instead of just letting algorithms decide what you see online, you're being more deliberate. Think about what you actually want to spend your time on.
Speaker 1:So if you're like a huge foodie, instead of just scrolling endlessly, you could be looking up recipes, researching local farmer's markets, that kind of thing.
Speaker 2:Exactly Use tech to actually fuel your passions, you know, and this is where it gets even more interesting. The article stresses offline activities, not just to escape the digital world, but because they're actually good for us.
Speaker 1:Okay, that makes sense. I know, when I spend too much time online I start to feel it like my brain is fried.
Speaker 2:It's not just in your head. This article talk a lot about physical activity. Moving your body, even if it's just a walk around the block, can make a huge difference in how you feel, both mentally and physically.
Speaker 1:So less scrolling, more strong, I can dig it.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and creative hobbies too. Doing something with your hands like painting, playing music, whatever you enjoy, it brings a sense of accomplishment. You don't get from like getting a bunch of likes online.
Speaker 1:It's funny when I'm working on a creative project, I totally forget about my phone. It's like its own kind of digital detox.
Speaker 2:And of course nothing beats real human interaction. Right In our digital world, it's easy to let those face-to-face connections slide.
Speaker 1:It's true we have like a million ways to connect online, but sometimes it feels like we're more disconnected than ever.
Speaker 2:Exactly so. Put the phone down, turn off the notifications and have a real conversation with someone. It's good for the soul.
Speaker 1:So, to sum up, this digital deep dive, it's not about ditching technology altogether. It's about finding that balance. We can embrace the good stuff, those productivity tools and resources that actually make our lives easier, but we also need to prioritize those offline experiences that bring us joy and connection and remind us that there's a whole world outside the screen.
Speaker 2:Perfectly said. It's about making conscious choices that support your wellbeing and help you live a more present and fulfilling life.
Speaker 1:Because, at the end of the day, real life beats the refresh button any day. So, as you navigate your own digital journey, we'll leave you with this what's one small step you can take today to reclaim some of your time and reconnect with what truly matters? Until next time, remember you've got the power.