I Tried to Quit My Smartphone for a Year, Here's What Happened

[@wheezywaiter]

Use code WHEEZY50 to get 50% off your first Factor box at bit.ly/3BqQ0YB!

[@alicelittlejohn1675]

can we just take a moment to acknowledge the wheezy beard??? it is looking pretty damn epic if i do say so

[@lauren_sunshine]

I enjoyed Factor for a time, but I stopped using them when I found out HelloFresh is anti-union. No disrespect to Craig (I’ve been following since the DFTBA days!). I just see a lot of creators promoting them so I feel the need to spread awareness. I hope they change their ways ❤

[@Th3K1ngK00p4]

What a transition to the sponsor during the video! 😂

[@memorymedia6188]

You did the right thing for all the wrong reasons. You are being trained for the Technocracy - which is the modern form of global communism. Slavery. These corporations and those who control them are not your friends.

[@Schmirpilly]

Wheezy you should do a 4-day work week challenge! From this video it seems a lot of the problems are mostly thinking too much about work. Improving your work life balance (and quitting twitter lol) maybe would be more beneficial than quitting your smartphone entirely

[@pirpilly]

great idea!

[@ColinAdventures]

I’d love to see him try working different numbers of hours per week too and seeing what’s most productive.

[@BeefinOut]

I'm a huge proponent of the 4 day work week, but I'm not sure Craig's career would accurately reflect the kind of experiences 99% of people would have in a 4 day week.

[@eville_boy]

I would watch it!

[@mattp3626]

Your life is your work. You need to realize that!

[@misterkite]

I deleted twitter completely and life is 1000% better.

[@LC-gw7tp]

I actually appreciate that you made it more and more realistic, I know I wouldn’t be able to fully quit my smart phone so watching someone go full cold turkey I don’t think would be much help

[@lowwastehighmelanin]

I've seen videos like that, they come across as sanctimonious and unpleasant. This was pleasant.

[@better.better]

I think everybody should go cold turkey on things in general for a year, not with any goal to permanently get rid of it, but just to kind of reset on the important things in life... to use the smart phone example just like Craig, when you come back to it you use it completely different. in the early 2000's I canceled my internet. I just came to a realization one day that I would wake up, jump into a chat room, and next thing I knew I was half an hour late leaving for work, hadn't eaten breakfast, hadn't showered... I hadn't even gotten dressed. I knew I had to change it and the best way to do that was to just cut off the internet. a year later when I turned my internet back on, I didn't go into chat rooms anymore. in the intervening time I did a lot of art, music practice, modified the drums I had made, played around with photography... I've done the same sort of thing with social media, I just stopped going on Facebook. I've never been back to that though and I've also never replaced it with anything. Same for Twitter. sometimes we get ourselves into ruts of habit, and the only way to break it is to go cold turkey for a while. I do that with food too, you get into a habit of making things a certain way, and sometimes it's just good to make it straight up, reset your taste buds.

[@caitlinring]

I had a dumbphone until 2020, and whenever I wanted to look something up, I would text that to my email, and then look it up once I was at my laptop. Also, I've realized it's okay to not know things, and to just continue wondering about them.

[@cjdflkj]

I also didn’t have a smartphone til like 2019, and I’m in my 30s. I only got one for taking photos instead of carrying around my clunky camera. My life wasn’t easier or harder or doffeeent with or without the phones.

[@danmar007]

" I've realized it's okay to not know things, and to just continue wondering about them." Hmm .. looks like the brainwashing worked well with you. Completely satisfied with not knowing things.

[@MrSirGloomy]

I wouldn’t say being willfully ignorant is a flex to each their own 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@steve-adams]

​@@MrSirGloomy It goes both ways. Knowing things can be a massive red herring in life. Sometimes you truly just don't need to know. Mental real estate is immensely valuable, and attention even more so. It can be wasted way too easily. I say this as a chronic researcher and rabbit holer. Most of that time is wasted, even if I'm not "ignorant" as a result.

[@rosalindbell3930]

Didn't feel like a flex to me. More like an interesting contrarian point of view.

[@jeremymcquay5235]

I stopped using all social media and news apps for 90 days and it made a huge difference in my life - I read more books, lost 20 pounds (was bored and worked out) and just generally felt better. Unfortunately, I started making the concessions like Wheezy is making, which just spiralled. I plan on going for it again.

[@thatjillgirl]

Yep. I gave up the internet for Lent one year. With the exception of things like maps, I went fully off, since it was just for a month and a half. I got so much done! I read so many things! I did so many things! I felt so much better! But after Lent was over, I slowly spiraled back into it. I've given up just social media some years, and that helps a lot, but it's so easy to just go back into it once the restriction period is up. I wish there was some sort of way you could set your phone to only let you use certain apps during a specific half hour window each day. Missed the window? Sucks for you. Maybe you'll catch it tomorrow. Did you get the window? Cool. You still only have thirty minutes, so your day isn't going to get derailed to the same extent.

[@JBuchmann]

@@thatjillgirl Good app idea, but I don't think an app is capable of doing that. I think it's probably a feature that would have to be built into Android/iOS.

[@serrgggeo]

​@@thatjillgirlThere actually is! It's called StayFree!

[@david_keeler]

@@thatjillgirl I use the onesec app for the window feature and it works well for me! It's a monthly subscription but it's super affordable that it made sense for me.

[@jeremymcquay5235]

@@thatjillgirl you can set the screentime in apple to block apps after a certain time - you can set it so that a partner or friend creates the passcode for screentime (different than the one to unlock your phone) and then you can't get more time unless your friend punches in or gives you the code. There are also Lock boxes. I recommend reading the books by Cal Newport - Digital Minimalism and Johann Hari - Stolen Focus. Both are excellent for highlighting the challenges of living in a digital world and still getting meaningful things done.

[@bophenry]

I love that you addressed the urge to google things! I've weaned off of my phone, especially double-screening while watching tv. But when I get that urge to look up "What was that actor in" or "How did they make house foundations in the 1700s." Instead of picking up my phone to instantly get the answer from google, I write the question down. For me, rabbitholes/clickholes are not the problem, but rather the instant answer hurts my imagination, I feel. I want to spend more time wondering about something instead of requiring the instant gratification of a google search. The inquiries that stick around in my head are worth looking up, but not all of them deserve my distraction.

[@collyflower6623]

My partner often says he misses the period of military training when no one was able to look things up on their phones. Instead they would debate and joke around because you couldn't prove anyone right or wrong

[@Siberius-]

@@collyflower6623 - Was he the one talking utter shit? lol

[@luism644]

I quit all social media before 2022 or 2023, I can’t remember. It was in the winter before the start of either of those years. It massively improved my life and quality of living. Sometimes I sign up because I wonder what I miss out on, or I’m curious to be a part of something I’ve found recently, but always end up deleting that new account and the app. The closest thing to social media that I use is KZbin, and I spend most of the time either listening to music or watching something informative. Being on social media just doesn’t add anything to my life, and takes away from me being engaged in what I’m doing at that moment. Everything seems less overwhelming now and so much more manageable. Eating healthy, staying active, maintaining healthy relationships, work life balance, and hobbies and keeping myself entertained. Now that I’m not following what other people are doing I their life, everything I do in my own life is so much more rewarding and fulfilling. It’s beyond comparison.

[@torandi]

I think you're really on to something here. The thing that's bad with the smartphone is the compulsion to pick it up at every given moment, to never allow yourself to be bored or have nothing to do.

[@TheStickofWar]

Read a book called Stolen Focus if that boredom part interests you. Basically you will need to learn to be bored again like when you were a child. But our environment and society really doesn’t allow us to do so.

[@SunnyMorningPancakes]

I want a less smartphone that has a camera for photo sharing (like my last three not smartphones had) but then no ability to use apps beyond that.

[@rachelhansen2417]

I find phones are blamed way too often. I’m glad to hear someone supporting it from an experiment!

[@superbettynow]

iOS 17 has an old person mode you can set up to use the select few apps you want,@@SunnyMorningPancakes

[@amberbydreamsart5467]

@@TheStickofWar starting to go backpacking really brought this into sharp focus for me; going to a campsite with no service and sitting there as it gets dark around you at 8 pm and figuring out what to do with the next hours before you'll be able to fall asleep is very strange after the media-soaked daily lives we have now.

[@nikkil764]

Best thing I ever did was kick the news addiction. What is the news? Someone you don’t know has done something awful to someone else you don’t know in a place you don’t live. If by some miracle, someone you actually know does something newsworthy, your mother will call. Never felt calmer and better.

[@violetsinspring5863]

Agreed! I quit all news in 2016 and never looked back!

[@Siberius-]

Yea the news is a huge one. Especially when it's through the medium of KZbin, because then every story you're curious about takes up a bunch of time. THEN if you're also going to read and engage with comments, you're done for. Huge mistake! @@violetsinspring5863 - That's the wild time to quit the news lol

[@aboutkaro]

I was without my phone for a week and honestly, best week of 2023! No sales calls, less time mindlessly scrolling through social media and just peace and quiet

[@akatesu]

This is one your funniest videos ever. I audibly laughed out loud multiple times while watching this at work.

[@akatesu]

I would give multiple thumbs up

[@emilyfniles]

I haven't finished the video, however, on switching to a smart phone that has been turned into a dumb phone thing: I did a bunch of looking around for a dumb phone but didn't find anything that appealed to me. I also had the current phone plan against me on my quest. My husband and I are on Google Fi and none of the dumb phones seemed to make the change in plan price worth it to me, and Google Fi is extremely selective on what they allow for phones. So I took my older Pixel 3 to my husband and asked him to make it dumb. We got rid of basically everything. I kept a few apps, my grocery store's app, a food logging app, facebook messenger (because unfortunately the majority of my texting happens there), etc. We deleted everything else, including the App Store and the Chrome browser. Honestly, it's been life changing. It's also opened my eyes to just how sucked into phones every one has become. I'm at or close to the one year mark, and while there have been a few minor inconveniences, I wouldn't go back.

[@aprildawnsunshine4326]

You distracted me from pain ❤ I tried to quit yt and just watching TV in general during the day to "be more productive." I'm starting to realize that it's actually what gave me enough of a distraction to rest and enough inspiration to motivate myself. Also I stupidly thought it'd help me be more social when in reality it's been filling that need because I'm too sick to go out and make friends and in general people just aren't interested in hanging out in person anymore. Quitting social media a few years ago probably doesn't help friends remember I exist, but omg my MH is better.

[@carochan86]

I'm addicted to You tube as well. I also have ADHD. So when I'm bored I go to my friend You tube . I actually got an app for my phone called Forest. You gain coins from every so many minutes your not on the phone with the apps you blocked. After like 2500 you can grow a real tree in real life. I honestly need to do more. Forest to get away from you tube. I found therapy helped me with my goals. It's helped me map my goals into small chunks and be accountable.

[@ambiarock590]

"Quitting social media a few years ago probably doesn't help friends remember I exist", but the ones who do remember you exist are your REAL friends. Those are the people you're probably much closer to. Who needs to impress some high school friend from many years ago when focusing on the people who choose to speak with you is a much better use of your time.

[@aprildawnsunshine4326]

@@ambiarock590 sorry the subtext must've been unclear, I don't really have any friends who have kept in touch. Since I don't go anywhere except doctors there's no opportunity to see old friends or make new ones. Before it became so overrun with toxicity social media was the best thing that could have happened for the homebound like me. At one point I had a fantastic and close knit group of friends who were also homebound. It blew up in early 2017 and things got really nasty for a bit, one girl had half the group sending death threats to the other half. Smh it was nice while it lasted though.

[@rea6268]

On moderate/minimal phone use:I use the battery saver function on my phone. I can select a few apps that remain usable. Everything else I have to temporarily unblock (10mins). That seems to be enough of a hindrance to stop me from being glued to my phone.

[@christopherwood12]

Not watched your vids for ages, glad to see your goofy side hasn’t faded. I loved seeing this. Thank you for still making videos

[@erikforsell6605]

Loving the upswing in jokes, effects and snappy editing. A lot more work, but I sure appreciate it.

[@buginshaorma]

Always a good day when WheezyWaiter uploads. I won't do any of these things but it's sure fun seeing someone try all of them.

[@Ben79k]

It sounds like one of the key points is reducing the usage of any games / social apps. I have been working towards this and even though im not fully committed, it has already helped with stress and i find im not reaching for my phone as a default behavior anymore. Its way harder than it sounds. Bravo to you

[@Shelly_Dawn]

Thank you!! You’ve inspired me to dumb-down my smartphone. I’m taking off all social media and shopping apps, which I will now only access on my laptop.

[@Blake4625kHz]

I dumbed down as well.. by removing my brain 😏

[@crissscrosss123]

I haven’t watched you in a MINUTE but just wanted to say I am very impressed with how your creativity is still fresh and flowing and funny . Great video.

[@joshhiroti]

I went without a phone for a month waiting for insurance to replace it and severely forgot how we navigated the world pre-smartphones in early 2000's

[@casparsugg2686]

“I gave Chyna my password, Not the country China, although they probably have it already” 😂😂😂 laughed while falling off the bed

[@Britt1586]

You never cease to make me laugh, Craig. In a world where there is so much negativity, and then our own personal lives where we are all going through some type of battle, watching your videos is such a nice escape for myself and many others. Thank you for that.

[@lowwastehighmelanin]

Hear hear!

[@iamjenrar]

I got my hair done the other day (which takes a few hours) and couldn't use my phone for most of it because the new apron my hairdresser used didn't have arm holes. So I just sat there quietly, thinking, relaxing, observing, and I noticed afterwards I didn't feel bored or depleted at all like I normally feel after past appointments where I looked at my phone for hours. It's insane how these things we compulsively use to fill in our time and 'cure' boredom truly make us feel so much worse and don't really end up doing anything for boredom whatsoever.

[@phoenixfriesen4592]

I honestly think the quality of your videos has increased in the past year and I wonder how much of it is because of this. I've been watching your channel since 2007 and have watched more of them this year than in the previous five years. Thank you for providing so much helpful advice for my life as I recover from severe burnout and remake my life.

[@desertrat5543]

I’m glad I ditched social media years ago. My anxiety dropped majorly. I miss out on somethings, but it’s worth it. I’m a far better parent for it.

[@Judymontel]

I agree. Especially what you say about the 24 hour news cycle. Especially now, what I'm working on weaning myself from is the compulsion to check the headlines every time something makes me uncomfortable or reminds me of some of the stuff going on at present that is really hard for me. Thanks for this experiment and your honest responses!

[@DavidParket-g1h]

May I suggest History books? I not sure but it helps that the facts are settled, no worries about the truth of news stories.

[@AcidJazzCigarillo]

I think we forget that you and I are still the generation that grew up with the development of cellphones. And many of us have had some sort of device in our hands, from the Nokia Invincabrick to a Razr Edge to what we have today. At the same time, what has also grown is our access to the information around us and the growth of marketing to tie us up into our phones as much as humanly possible. We haven't really had much time away from the screen as you have, and it is really cool to listen to you come to a conclusion that might be parallel to us just having to teach ourselves what healthy smartphone discipline means in order to harmonize with the access to this amazing technology along with be aware and active in the world around you.

[@jonathanshuman5859]

As a cuber, I love seeing more and more Rubik's cubes appearing in the background of the shots

[@MoralGovernment]

You should have gone back to using it without restrictions and felt the difference. You often don't notice symptoms going away, but you notice them big time when they come back. But also if you are replacing your phone time with desktop time, it's not going to hep you much. I put restrictions on my iPhone and imac and had my husband put in the password, and I only have 2 hours a day of internet access. If I think of something to look up I make it note for later. It has transformed my life! But I'm a screen addict, maybe you aren't. And I blocked the short videos from being recommended to be on the websites I use when I do have my online time. I hate those dumb videos, I will get sucked in and waste my entire 2 hours!

[@bufficliff8978]

Can you block KZbin shorts?

[@mrssethcohen]

This is what I was going to say! When I returned to an iPhone without restrictions and with social media, I felt the difference. I hadn’t realised how much clearer my mind had become.

[@MoralGovernment]

@@bufficliff8978 I got a plugin for my web browser. I got one for youtube and one for facebook, and they block recommended short videos. Unfortuantely KZbin itself doesn't have an option for that.

[@MoralGovernment]

@@mrssethcohen I wish there was a club or something for people that restrict their usage. I feel like people that are still in the matrix are like zombies. My own mother traveled 1,000 miles to visit us, sat there the entire time on TikTok or KZbin shorts or whatever she was looking at, laughing to herself, ignoring her grandkids, and even burned the cookies she was sort of making with them because she wasn't paying attention. She just told them to mix the batter and then walked away to go on her phone. I can't stand being around the zombies. I'm looking around for a church to join and I see people on the phones during church and I hate it! Where are my people?! It makes me want to become Amish, lol.

[@TheMitchyevans]

I'll admit it, I was thinking he was going to *bleep* his *bleep*.

[@coralovesnature]

I have been trying to use my phone the way Craig described (for the most part) for years now, but my problem is no matter what I’m doing on my phone, I tend to get sucked in. Even when I’m playing chill phone games, I’ll just sit there & play them for hours on end to the detriment of other things in my life. I have literally found myself reading through podcast reviews that I don’t really care about for hours. Like Craig said, there are genuinely useful and necessary apps (like Maps and the app that opens my garage door), but it’s really hard for me to limit myself to only those.

[@justsomenobody889]

FYI to anyone interested, the Sunbeam “dumb” phone is a better alternative to the Lite Phone, not as glitchy and has a touch screen. I got one for my teenage son and so far so good

[@Iamtheartists]

Thank you!!!! this video is perfectly timed ! I am a teacher and during Covid it felt like I was expected to be available 24/7 this led to me more than doubling my time on the phone in the past 4 years and I’m no better for it . Looking forward to using your experience to help me “dumb” down my phone and reduce time wasted as well !

[@Raii_Chu]

i like your personality and editing. i think that i’ll subscribe and set up camp here for awhile.

[@danisayegh3459]

Great Job Man - Very Well Put Together, Great Comic Breaks and Realistic Approach to “digital detoxing” - I myself tried the light phone II, I couldn’t deal with the refresh of the screen at every input.

[@mantasvalciukas5734]

Alternative video title, I've made a continuously expanding list of exceptions for a year. I really love how you post videos like this, even though you pretend to talk to the audience, it really is the same stuff all of us do with just negotiating with ourselves.

[@Zen.Connection]

+1 for wanting just a good, pared-down phone that just has the essentials but also runs well. Add a physical keyboard and that would be the perfect phone to me.

[@psycold]

Please never stop making videos. Just went through a brutal week of having covid and quarantining, this is the first thing that made me happy in a week.

[@Alex-g4q4r]

I think the amount of "I quit my smartphone" videos that show the person going back to the smartphone show how addictive it is, the convenience. I repeatedly see videos of people going back and while the sentiments that Wheezy brings up are valid...I think not being able to complete the challenge proves that these are so extremely addictive to the point where we will rationalize the use. He probably knew going in that it would be inconvenient but now here we are. Again what he says is true but it's inherently valuing convenience over the point of the video, the goal, whether other tools can do the job better, etc. So while his rationale makes sense, I hope people also see this interpretation of this video.

[@DolphinsPlayingInAquaMoonlight]

Glad I never had one. I feel sorry for the zombies around me.

[@sbanders2785]

That's what I also took from this video. It was what only 30 days when the exceptions started to come in? I don't blame him because they are crazy addicting but yes, the gist of the video is really I tried to quit my smartphone but they are so addicting I couldn't :) Like you mentioned too the rationalization really comes more and more as well. I definitely don't know if I could do it either. I would genuinely be interested in a 6 month update and see if you are back to "normal" with your phone usage.

[@DolphinsPlayingInAquaMoonlight]

@@sbanders2785 Have you all just forgotten how you used to live before these entertainment-/distraction-/surveillance devices?

[@sbanders2785]

@@DolphinsPlayingInAquaMoonlight I think somewhat yes. They have been around for half my life now. It is a slow burn to get to where you are and I think it is hard to remember the past. I do enjoy periods of no smart phones and have never tried giving it up. Maybe thats the resolution for 2023.

[@MB-vi8zp]

Part of it is just that the world we live in now is designed with the assumption that everyone has a smart phone now. You have to scan QR codes for menus at some restaurants for goodness sake. The world just isn't very dumb phone accessible anymore.

[@dreamerlotus]

Very impressed you managed to carry this on considering your work is based on a social network (KZbin). Great informative video.

[@GamesWithArty]

"Let's start with day 73" Haha -- it's the little jokes like this that I appreciate most from your content. I've been watching for 10+ years at this point. Love it

[@schmoofadoop]

The best thing I ever did was disable ALL notifications except when I get a phone call... even texts are silenced, but all other app's I don't let them check / push or get updated or show me little update icons/#'s so unless I "check" on them I am not bothered... small change... huge difference

[@coralovesnature]

Great point! I also have the majority of my notifications disabled and it makes a massive difference.

[@mimi_wandering]

Woah this is relevant to my life right now. I literally tweeted this earlier today: "I've decided we're not meant to have this much info blasted into our brains constantly. I've been very online since I got the internet and increasingly more connected and consuming a variety of info and media and it's now just too much. I need a detox, I have no capacity."

[@arobinreads]

Very nice video! Awesome that you made it work for yourself. I do have a smartphone and am fine with that. I did quit all social media a couple of years ago and that has really helped me.

[@Hasturoth]

So you didn't find it hard to not quit using your smartphone. Very impressive.

[@pbwithjeremy]

Ohhh been excited about this video since you've been teasing it so much :) Thanks for all the time and effort you put into this. As a felling YT'er I know the feeling of just wanting to be present and around your kids but then an idea hits.... the struggle is real. Great video as always!

[@theclow614]

You set such a great example for others on this platform. I love how you experiment with different habits. It really makes me think critically about my own habits and creativity. I refer back to your videos to remind myself to improve my life in little ways to maximize my joy and creativity. Thanks wheezy! Been watching since 2010! Love your channel :)

[@demonprincess5634]

its still a cell phone, i've gone cell phone free. only landline and i'm loving it, the freedom

[@larsgothica3454]

This video was recommended to me yesterday and I searched a few more of yours & subscribed, your humor is hilarious and I love the way you jump headfirst into challenges! I relate to needing to take a big step and make a challenge out of something in order to do it. You’re awesome! Thanks!

[@Datheft]

I quit caffeine for 8 days

[@imperfectly_megan]

I recently quit caffeine too (15 days). :) It's nice. I feel less tense and my days feel longer (caffeine speeds up my perception of time).

[@habitpunk]

I quit when I stopped smoking not really missed it.. there's loads of herbal teas too. Have you tried roobois tea (south African) lots if coffee shops have it.. has lots of good minerals apparently

[@dr_doozy9920]

I've quit for 83 days, it's been incredibly good for my health. My sleep is more restful, I don't have weird heart palpitations, my thoughts don't race as badly, my anxiety is cut in half, and there's probably a lot more I'm not thinking of off the top of my head.

[@habitpunk]

@dr_doozy9920 have a look at sugar too :-)

[@heather482]

Good job

[@TisiphoneSeraph]

I briefly lived on a commune that had a rule that cell phones could only be used next to where phones were already set up and in your room. I loved that. I've kind of kept a version of that. Some places are just not the place for phones. I agree it's probably been a net benefit. I will say it's really unnerving how many things require apps these days... Another great video! I was surprised by how your thoughts evolved as you progressed. So much nuance I think shorter challenge videos miss.

[@RileyEffective]

I personally turn off data/wifi when I am not on my phone, so I don't get notifications. I also recently had to get a new phone and I only put the apps I actually need on my phone, with my library app (for audiobooks) being the one exception. Finally, I've taken to putting my phone in my bag rather than my pocket so that it's more difficult to get to it, and use a physical planner. These things have all really helped me use my phone less and not 'automatically' use my phone.

[@lisawallace1741]

I have a very similar scheme and use pattern to this. I love it.

[@MichaelSheaAudio]

I never understood the dumbphone trend. I understand wanting to disconnect from everything, but spending hundreds of dollars on something like a Light Phone is silly when you can get dumbphones for $100 or less. Every smartphone is also a dumbphone if you try hard enough. With iPhones it's probably a little more difficult, but on Android, you can customize everything so you can make it as dumb as you want in terms of function and appearance. It just takes a little bit of time to disable notifications, log out of apps, and/or disable/ uninstall apps. You can also choose a minimal launcher on Android so it doesn't even look like a regular smartphone anymore. You can just have a list of app names on blank homescreen if you want. Personally, I disabled notifications for everything other than like texts and calls, or other necessary things. All the extra stuff is disabled and my phone doesn't ping every few minutes anymore, it's great. I do find that I've started jumping between apps waiting for something to happen again, so I need to work on that. I've heard that some people have legitimate issues with smartphones and can't have one regardless of the circumstances, and I can understand that. For most of us though, it's just 30-60 minutes of maintenance and some self control.

[@bubblybee2239]

great video with a much-appreciated nuanced conclusion AND that ad transition + ad read is one of the best I've ever seen

[@atticadayz1]

Challenge: no smart phone, only dumb phone, but hire an assistant to manage all your smart phoney things: rabbit holes, Twitter news, etc. The delayed gratification of sending a request and having to wait to recieve the info might end up being an interesting aspect.

[@JamalIssa]

the subtle and sometimes not so subtle jokes you sprinkle around your videos always leave smile on my face :)

[@ecospider5]

I don’t have any social media on my phone and I do my best to disable useless alerts. The one time suck I have is KZbin. But like with this video I just listen with my eyes closed a lot of the time.

[@MKMonsterr]

I mean, I'm on my computer and not my phone, but I am getting distracted by this video instead of writing a paper. But this has inspired me to go out and find an extension that temporarily blocks websites so I am forced to not look at KZbin, and I switched my Firefox shortcut to my subscription page instead of the sea of recommendations. I want to be better about not falling into video rabbit holes. I'm not even getting anything out of 90% of what I'm watching! Wow, I thought I was just coming here to watch your video but instead I'm inspired to try to get out of tech rabbit holes...

[@louisgentilucci1188]

Love the rhyme time advertisement. It's the little things in life, like a 15-chain rhyming verse, that make it all worth it.

[@vincenzomedureski9164]

I deleted all social media and my quality of life improved dramatically

[@dragonowned]

Listening to videos whilst working out, organizing belongings, or meal prepping has been my ticket for smartphone success!!

[@Scarletcroft]

On breaks at work I always see people immediatly grab their phones doing whatever, and only a few of us don't and just eat and chat with eachother, have a laugh etc..

[@blackrabbit5321]

Recently I deleted and quit all social media, I wanted to go for a dumb phone, but there is too much good that a smart phone does for day to day life. The benefits are amazing. Social media is the real evil.

[@bubbles0are0cool]

I did a version of this earlier this year. I deleted all social media and quit looking at my phone when I got bored. Buuuuut I spend more money now. I developed expensive hobbies like sewing. And I create miniatures which is surprisingly more expensive than I thought. 😬 I spent all of this morning deciphering Japanese doll clothing patterns. My brain felt like it was gonna explode so I needed some wheezywaiter to relax. I've been watching your videos since I was like 13, I'm 28 now 😅

[@adamsjoberrg]

This is really funny. Well done!I've deleted all the silly apps on my phone and basically have a spot for it when im in the apartment. So I don't use it too much. I think youtube is a pretty decent social pålatform though; it isn't about information bombaring and about 1000000 other people; the videos I'll watch is actually about things I'm interested in.

[@VanjaPejovic]

Here's how I try to lower my phone use: pick a smaller, slower, and older phone. It shouldn't be a shiny object that you want to use just because it's so cool. A smaller screen limits how much media consumption you want to do on it. Make it slow enough that using the modern web is a bit annoying, but opening your notes app is fine. Do everything you can so that when you unlock your phone, you do it for a reason, and that's the only thing you do. This means turning off most notifications. You probably want just your family and friends to grab your attention. Everything else should wait for you. Use the digital wellbeing (on android) or screentime (on iphone) app to see which app you most open when you unlock your phone. If it's an app you don't want to use that much, delete it or make it harder to open.

[@rejectconvenience]

I’ve been off the smart phone for almost 2 years now, I can’t imagine ever going back! Edit: I love your point that it’s not inherently a bad thing, we tend to put blame on the entire thing but it’s often just how we use these tools. I had made a video about this a while ago and the comments made me realize I wasn’t clear about that concept. Anyways, love the video! Glad you were able to mindful about your usage

[@ambiarock590]

I'd love to try out a feature phone, but one requirement I have is being able to use Discord because that is how I chat with all my closest friends. I'm sure that's possible though

[@HBCrigs]

hey weezy! I also got rid of my smart phone this year and here are my thoughts. i keep sticky notes by my bed so if i have a rabbit hole question i can write it down. if its still interesting in the morning i'll look it up! I also am switching back to a smart phone after christmas and i think running so far away from the phone and its conveniences made my life way worse and less social. i lost touch with a ton of people just bc i couldnt text them on tiktok or snapchat (yes i am a zoomer for some reason we dont give ppl our phone numbers) or discord. I think youre right about sleep, and paper sudokus are also really awesome for falling asleep. I MISS AUDIOBOOKSSSSS

[@imperfectly_megan]

Hey the phone number thing sounds like a limit you are putting on yourself (it might not be as true as you think it is). Try asking for your friends' phone number and giving out yours and see what happens.

[@coralovesnature]

As a fellow zoomer, I agree that if I got rid of Snapchat there are at least a few people who I would lose touch with entirely. But then again, maybe those aren’t the people who are most important in my life anyways. 🤔

[@leovaldez6139]

In a world of Instagram Reels and KZbin Shorts, you still command my attention.

[@antoniobarbalau1107]

Really awesome, really funny (some parts really had me rolling) and really informative. Thank you for everything, this is amazing ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@lowstringc]

I have a smartphone, but I don’t use it to consume. I use it for organization, communication (email, phone calls, and some texting), and music and podcasts for in the car. I’ve built some streamlining/efficiency ‘apps’ (mostly forms to input data and automation on the back end). The other functionality is available to me, and I will occasionally use it, but I don’t reach for it as a pacifier or escape. I do have an iPad and have allotted evening time to consume using that, but my mind treats the phone and the tablet very differently. There have been times over the past years where the iPad drew me in to empty media-ing, so I try and be aware, and am sporadically successful at that.

[@Binge-Minge]

Still killing it after all these years, True tuber!

[@XplorinWithPaul]

"Enjoy the freaking life you have right in front of you instead of the lives of other people in a little rectangle." This is the most powerful sentence

[@owenleynes7086]

as someone who will ruminate on the question in my brain for days until its answered i have a feeling this isnt the move for me, but still interesting nonetheless. to illustrate my point, i recently spent several days wondering why mixing everclear with maple syrup produced sugar crystals on my mason jar and then i asked reddit and was rewarded with answers - in case anyone is curious, sucrose has a high affinity for mixing with water but a very low affinity for mixing with ethanol so adding everclear to a small amount of maple syrup forces all the sugar out of the mixture where it forms crystals on the glass

[@annala2956]

I semi-watched/fully listened to this video on my phone while cleaning my bathroom. No time wasted!

[@carmelpaints313]

I have actually been waiting for this episode since it was announced last year!

[@erin7434]

I didn’t watch this before an interview, but I did watch while on my break. Love ya, Wheezy!

[@maxinestarkywillow]

Watching your videos feels like a hug for my brain which is the perfect bridge for the gap each week when I see my psychologist. I appreciate your work. It makes my life better.

[@GodfathersPoet]

So true Craig, I find it easier to quit things entirely than to try and find a healthy balance. I always thought that I had an addictive personality but maybe that’s more common than I thought.

[@nicolecreates6936]

I have waited all year for this. Since you announced that you were doing it. If I had a company I’d pay you loads to do all my ads. Your ads are the only ones I watch haha 😂

[@Eyevou]

Not obsessing over social media or the news is a much healthier way to live. If you need to know something extremely important - it will get to you.

[@systemerror404notfound]

It’s all about finding a healthy balance that works for you. Keep what’s helpful and get rid of what’s not. “It’s not the tool itself it’s how you use it” is the perfect way to sum it up.

[@mickobee]

The amount of back pedalling in this video is crazy

[@TatAlbring]

My folding phone stops me scrolling because i dont want to open it

[@MrCHlNGster]

Underrated youtube channel . I'm so glad I subscribed to you all those years ago!!

[@CT-pv9gu]

This was what I was waiting for! I would love to do this myself but I literally need it for work. After work I don’t need it at all, so I’m tempted to try this myself

[@cboehm24]

Gabb phone has a camera, a map app, and limited apps without Google or Internet. It's actually a limited Samsung phone with a version of Android on it.

[@Limeguy98]

Craig you are a shining star thank you for making such entertaining yet real and down to earth videos

[@ERYN__]

I remember being a college freshman, and forgetting my phone at home, and texting (technically Gmail chat) my future spouse on my kindle. One time I was sick at school, and didn't have my wallet or phone to pay for the bus to get home or buy food, or use a payphone. Dark days. They had a bus pass, picked me up and brought me to their dorm room to microwave soup for me, and I napped while they took a test.

[@CaliforniaBushman]

I went 40 days this year cellphoneless. It's such a useful, all around tool - is real the problem. Like giving up the wheel in 200BC. The main problem was knowing what time it was! Being watchless. And watches are so expensive now. Because - phones. Also, everybody else is looking at their phone. Then you have to interrupt them. And they get MAD. Then you realise your actually living with sociopaths. Leaving you out of sync with the present day sociological realities of a human population which conducts all of its social life online. Especially here in L.A. County. So, I went back. But always practice good habits like leaving the phone on the charger. Not bringing it with me. Not looking at it in public. Not gawking at it at the bar. Or restaurant, etc.

[@louisgentilucci1188]

What?!? A nuanced take on smartphone usage focusing on time management without hyperbole?? UNBELIEVABLE!!

[@Michelle-lk6lu]

I put all my social media apps into a folder and hide them somewhere obscure on my phone, it doesn't prevent me from using them but it does significantly reduce my use of them.

[@ToaPohatuNuva]

The special effects in these videos are better than Marvel movies

[@theelodown34]

I'm doing a December social media break. And what I'm discovering is the problem is mindless scrolling above all else. So when I reintroduce sm in January, I think im going to restrict all sm use to, say, Sunday afternoon. And use a time limit app and actually stick to it. If all im doing is scrolling content of atrangers, its time to shut it down.

[@realFranklinfurter]

Great video. Based on your jokes, it may be a good idea to try 1 year with no porn. I stopped 5 years ago and it really improved my thoughts, focus and overall peace.

[@DrLazerbeam]

dude I'm trying to genuinely make changes here stop making me laugh

[@OlgaFyodorova]

I use my computer much more than my phone. Like, at home, why would I use the phone? It's small, and the onscreen keyboard is horrible. I hate texting on my phone. Any time I have to be somewhere without my computer (and I don't own a laptop), I end up using the internet and social media much less and read more. Like when I was at a hospital with my son, I read tons. At home, I'd be at my computer most of the time - working, but also texting, chatting and using reddit and youtube.

[@toodamnicycold]

Does anyone else remember when this guy punched clones and had a singing carpet and loved it when the coffee was done?