You Can’t Doomscroll a Book
I can leave the house and forget a letter that needs posting or to put on a coat, but I never forget my phone. For many of us, the device has become a constant companion; an extension of our bodies.
We often justify this attachment through the lens of safety. We need the device in case of an emergency (particularly when out for a run, when we need to be available for children, or when travelling alone). There’s no getting away from this, and I am not suggesting you ditch your phone in these circumstances.
What I am aware of, though, is that this essential safety device also brings the noise of the internet into every quiet moment. If we are carrying our phones, we will inevitably look at them for more than just emergencies.
If you have been following my work for a while, you will know I am uncomfortable with how much time I spend on my phone. While I have made positive changes—leaving certain social media platforms and using app blockers—I am still not where I want to be.
I have been trying to implement Cal Newport’s "phone foyer method". The idea is simple: when you arrive home, you plug your phone in at a designated spot, such as the hallway. It is no longer portable; you have to go to it to use it. While I charge my phone overnight in my office, I find the daytime boundary difficult to maintain, not least because I work from home.
I have decided to try an intermediate step. I am using my Kindle as a "transition" tool. It is a less addictive device with a single purpose. I am going to carry it with me as much as I realistically can and work hard to reach for it in quiet moments instead of my phone. That functional limitation is my Kindle's greatest strength. You can't doomscroll a book.
P.S. What are you reading at the moment? I’d love some book recommendations so I can load up my Kindle. Thank you.
