taking my phone from distracting to functional || my minimalism journey

[@chrissy9673]

if anyone doesn't want to straight up delete apps for whatever reason, i found it really helpful to have notifications turned off on 99% of my apps. if i'm not reminded of the app being on my phone then i'm less likely to check it/get stuck in it. there have been cases where i've needed to completely delete apps (tiktok - i literally get stuck and can't stop watching) and i take breaks from apps a lot (social media) but for the most part i leave most apps on my phone and it's not an issue! some people may respond better to completely deleting stuff and that's okay too! :)

[@twixlinux]

I second this ^^ It also really helped me to remove my apps off the homepage and only put essentials on my homepage so I don't feel tempted to click them bc they are out of sight.

[@jadey.wadey20]

Offload the apps you don’t use often, but don’t want to delete either. This saves phone storage and you can always go back and “redownload” the app again by simply tapping it when you want to access it again. 😊

[@peterrehmann3131]

Was macht Du gerne in deiner Freizeit?

[@Merryyy203]

Hello :) I removed notifications ages ago. I never understood why people want to be bothered and distracted every second with a new one. I only get them from my calendar and bank apps. The problem is: I keep going in the app to check if someone has written. The other problem I have is that it overwhelms me. I got messages that have been waiting for answers for weeks or even months. Today I decided to delete the Telegram app (the main app I use) from the phone. I can still check it when at home. I have the urge to delete everything but at the same time I have not managed to take the step. I was watching this today kzbin.info/www/bejne/fX2nZ5aemaudd5I and it made me a bit scared (yet, here I am). I might have to watch more of these videos plus finish reading Digital Minimalism (by Cal Newport) and maybe one day I will be able to do it.

[@meghanadontireddy6002]

I love how this year isn't just about saving money, but also learning to appreciate the smaller things in life ❤

[@reallygoodatfolding]

As a librarian I’m very happy to see the Libby app 🤓

[@gracenevitt]

the libby app is honestly one of the most important apps on my phone LOL

[@bee7160]

i’m in school to become a librarian!! it’s such a cool job ❤

[@thewanderingstarseed]

I get very frustrated with the Libby app. It doesn’t give enough time for me to read a book! 7 days is not enough and I’m not sure why it doesn’t follow the physical book deadlines.

[@reallygoodatfolding]

@@thewanderingstarseed on no! Libraries here give you at least two weeks. If you’re desperate to finish something you could put your device onto airplane mode so the title you’re reading doesn’t get removed 😉

[@juliacatlady2010]

This video made me realise that I have no reason to have yotube app on my phone. I use it only to watch shorts, which is a terrible habit. When I want to watch longer videos I always use my laptop or tv so I'm deleting the app.

[@gracenevitt]

great idea!! did this a while ago and it was a game changer for me!!

[@Saika789]

You make a very compeling argument

[@IzuAurora]

Your hair looks so cute ! 🩷 I know your appearance has nothing to do with any of your content but I just wanna say that almost every time you look so adorable and it makes me happy 😂🥰 Happy, moisturized, unbothered, saving money and staying in your lane. Love to see it !

[@gracenevitt]

aw haha thank you!! this is really sweet 💗

[@carryjeanwing]

Took the inspo. Deleted a few things and rearranged my screen. So much better! Thanks

[@itsliliok]

putting my phone in black and white is a total game changer for me! its really easy to switch back and forth, unfortunately sometimes i forget to set it back to black and white lol but i just do it ASAP once i remember, and my phone becomes much less attractive and addictive

[@Merryyy203]

I have it on grey scale and once in a while, if I want to edit a picture or have a look at something with its real colours, I put it back to normal. It is way too much on the eyes. The computer is fine somehow, altho I will end up changing it, but the phone and tablet? Better on grey scale.

[@nahaiatours]

For me it worked to set a timer on each app I spent the most time on, firstly closer to the usual amount I'd spend daily on the app and slowly decreasing that limit. Even if I get "lost" on scrolling doom, the 5 min warning will come up eventually and I'll have to wait until the next day for doomscrolling.

[@visibleghost1]

You gotta find what works for you! I felt like I was on social media too much, so I deleted instagram, reddit, twitter and tiktok. If I really want to I can redownload the apps and then remove them again, or use them from my desktop. It made me feel a lot better because they were just ways to waste time and energy. For a while I didn't reduce my screen time because I read the news or on wikipedia (you know you're desperate when you're reading about random WWII military stuff on wikipedia to waste time) instead of social media, but now after like 6 months I don't use my phone a whole lot just to scroll mindlessly. I have a few exceptions, but I use those platforms for things that bring me joy rather than make me sick of humanity.

[@gracenevitt]

totally get that!!

[@cwalsh4992]

Excellent topic and some great tips. Notifications are a huge distraction. I recommend you turn off as many as you can. It makes a massive difference 💖

[@gracenevitt]

1000% agree!! I don't remember if I did this in my other video, but I have done that and it's a huge help

[@meghanadontireddy6002]

Love the minimalism journey series

[@madisonburrell717]

I finally deleted Twitter months ago and I've been so much happier!

[@gracenevitt]

deleting twitter was one of the best things I did for myself I can't lie lol

[@megang3416]

You inspired me to do a reset and reorganize my phone to hopefully help me prioritize my time while on my phone, thank you!

[@lilyflower0616]

Can’t get over how cute your new glasses are! And your hair looks so cute too! ❤️

[@gracenevitt]

thanks so much!! so kind of you 💗

[@PhDincriminilogy]

Your phone case is so adorable ❤❤

[@lorensims4846]

The Facebook app is a real battery suck on your phone because it updates so often. If I do use Facebook, I just do it through Safari and then close the window when I'm done.

[@xmydearambellina]

I wish I could stop having mine near me. It's how I monitor my blood sugar so it's on me 24/7. Definitely need to get rid of some apps, though. I find myself doom scrolling or hyper-fixating on a game when I'm avoiding something.

[@wookiwoo2798]

My brother has to monitor his blood sugar on his phone too but wanted to reduce his screen time so I thought I’d share what his solution was in hopes that it helps you!! In settings there's something called focus modes, similar to a do not disturb but its customisable so you can change the wallpaper and apps while in that focus mode. So what my brother has done is make a diabeties focus mode so that only the top essential apps (like his monitoring app) are on it and nothing else!! Its really helped him still use his phone for essentials but not get distracted by the unhelful apps!! Wish you all the best ❤

[@kurlykaitlyn]

My only distracting app on my phone is KZbin which I do try to set limits of not just opening all the time. I won’t watch videos on my phone or even shorts, but I’ll scroll and add things to watch later haha Two weeks ago I had downloaded candy crush on my tablet and played way too much. My husband was giving me a hard time about it and I finally deleted it after playing so much 😂 I miss it but also I’m glad because now I’m reading again and taking care of stuff around the house

[@aday-su5om]

This was perfect timing, I've been meaning to do a clean-up on my phone and tablet lately. Overall my social media use is very low except for one or two apps, and while I don't want to give them up completely I definitely think I need to make them more difficult to access just for my own peace of mind. I like the idea of keeping your phone minimal & functional but still inspiring. I definitely couldn't switch to a flip phone purely for Google maps lol, that's the only way I get around anywhere new.

[@gracenevitt]

I so get it haha as soon as I realized music would not be on a flip phone, the idea flew out the window for me LOL

[@hairgod87]

This is such weird timing, my partner and I have been doing the same thing for the past month! Good luck, we find it really worth it!

[@dptfo]

Since your last video, I’ve streamlined my phone. I took all the time-sucking apps off, but I actually made my phone more adapted to use by my kids, though (because if they’re playing it, I’m not, and if they’re busy I can get things done at least, and I put timers on all of their stuff so I’m accountable to get things done during that time, before time is up) I’ve been turning my phone completely off when we start our kids bedtime routine, so I’ve been going to bed a lot earlier, waking up earlier this week. I think I’m going to try and keep my phone completely off more during the day. I’m thinking I’ll try turning it on only during lunch each day, and see how that goes for me

[@gracenevitt]

this is great!!

[@teacherlovesbeauty]

Thank you for the reminder to do this!

[@bethanygreenwood8259]

For me it was just turning notification off 🤷 Now I only ever intentionally go onto social media apps, rather than feeling like I'm missing out or need to clear notifications. I also don't have a laptop (other than my work one) so there's only so much I can take off my phone 😅 But its always interesting to see what other people do.

[@gracenevitt]

I wishhhh this worked for me, but I will get my fix of scrolling at any cost unfortunately...

[@oliviabird2681]

This is perfect timing! I've just started the Guardian's challenge to reduce screentime, so I've been thinking about which apps I should delete. Thank you for the nudge to take KZbin off my phone. 😅 Btw your hairstyle is so cute here! Love the hairclips.

[@gracenevitt]

thank you!! and best of luck to you!!

[@cwunsche]

I’ve used Mint Mobile for years now.. it’s just what I need!

[@jolene2172]

Lots of good tips thank you! You’re happy today 🥰

[@kelli4847]

Great video!! I need this!! I wish I had a computer still 😫

[@gracenevitt]

girllll you gotta get that fixed!!

[@belindagritter1572]

I worked right alongside you. As you were deleting apps so was I. I donut use a lot of apps but so many came with my phone, like Apple TV and I do not have that service so that along with others left my phone today. I have instagram on my phone but I never go there. I see the same photos my friends share on Facebook so why bother? I did not delete it but I also don’t use it so not even a little temptation. I think I deleted maybe 6 things so that’s good. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@pjlacey3990]

I need to do this! Thanks for the inspiration and advice!

[@roseforcatsandbooks]

Hi it’s probably off topic but I love your phone case! If it doesn’t bother you, could you share where you got it? I’ve waned something similar for months now 😅

[@gracenevitt]

I got it from Pela ! I've been using their phone cases for years bc they're biodegradable!

[@elisabethprice4697]

This is great I deleted some apps and did the thing you did with Pinterest as well! I already do t use social media besides KZbin so…

[@_COOKIES-N-CREAM_]

My tip if you don’t wanna delete apps just remove them from ur Home Screen and then you will have to search for them

[@jeanpierrecardenas5815]

thank u!!

[@elisabethprice4697]

Oh my gosh yes you use thestorygraph to!!!

[@gracenevitt]

hell yes !!

[@felicity250285]

You can put limits per app 😊

[@gracenevitt]

this works for some people, but for me it is much more beneficial to have it as far away from my phone as possible so it's not the first thing I think about when I pick up my phone! (truly jealous of the people it works for though!!)

[@ana_tininikina]

where can i get this phonecase?

[@gracenevitt]

it's a biodegradable pela case! (kind of expensive, but worth it for me and my morals, personally)

[@peterrehmann3131]

Was macht Du gerne in deiner Freizeit?

[@gracenevitt]

(I translated your comment to understand it) in my free time I mostly love to read! youtube takes up a lot of my time, but when I have more time, I love to spend it outdoors and take my dog to the park. I'm also just getting into crochet :))

[@wokekoala5790]

nice video. Would have enjoyed it more if there were time stamps tho! Keep up the good work

[@lorensims4846]

First of all, you have to learn to manage notifications on your phone and computer. Too many people are switching to flip phones and actual typewriters to avoid distractions from your modern devices. If your dog is misbehaving, it's not the dog's fault, it's yours.

[@CrisOnTheInternet]

I have my phone on silence all the time, I do receive a few notifications: Whatsapp, emails, chat notifications (I work from home and it's useful if I'm not on my computer) and calendar events, plus I got them on my watch too, so I can check if it's important to reach my phone. It's key to turn off notifications for stuff like games and social media.

[@lilyflower0616]

Although I agree with turning off notifications, I don’t think it is entirely the persons fault. It’s extremely time consuming and difficult to try to keep notifications/emails at bay. You can unsubscribe or turn off things one day and before you know it, you have a million notifications again.