A few months ago, I shared how I cut my screen time from 8h 55m to just 1h 25m. It’s been 5 months, so I figured it’s time for an update!

But first, here’s the link to my original post for those who missed it: I finally cut my screen time from 8 hours and 55 minutes to 1 hour and 28 minutes (Proof at the end)

Now, let me spill the tea on how cutting my screen time has seriously changed my life:

1. More Time for the Good Stuff: Less time scrolling = more time doing things I actually love, like swimming, reading, studying, or just hanging out with my favorite people. Oh, and the focus? Unreal. I can now get through tasks without a million distractions pulling me away.

2. Bye-Bye, FOMO: Turning off constant notifications and ditching the mindless scrolling felt SO freeing. I’m no longer glued to what everyone else is doing, and honestly? I’m way happier just living in the moment and doing my own thing.

3. Sleep = Leveled Up: Cutting out phone time at night was a game-changer. I wake up feeling rested (finally!) and ready to tackle the day. My bedtime routine now feels like a cozy ritual instead of a late-night doom-scroll marathon.

4. Actually Being Present: Whether I’m on a walk, vibing to music, watching anime, or spending time with my loved ones, I’m all in. No more multitasking with my phone in one hand and half-paying attention. My focus has gone from meh to next level—I can actually sit and read or study for hours now.

5. Me and My Phone = Healthy Boundaries: My phone? It’s a tool now, not a time-suck. I only use it intentionally, and that little shift has made my days feel so much more productive and meaningful. Bonus: My anxiety and stress have plummeted.

6. Stronger Connections: I’ve gotten so much closer to the people around me. Conversations feel deeper, and those phone-free moments (especially before bed) remind me how special undistracted time really is.

7. SO Much Extra Time: Cutting my screen time has freed up so many hours of my life. I feel so much lighter, knowing I don’t have to carry my phone everywhere. Morning walks with my sister? Just vibes. No distractions, just enjoying the moment.

Real Talk:
The past few months haven’t been all sunshine and rainbows. I’ve been struggling with some pretty tough depression, and during sleepless nights, my phone became a way to cope and quiet my dark thoughts. But the good news? I’ve slowly been getting back into my healthy sleep routine over the past few weeks. Progress is progress.

P.S. Last time, a lot of you commented and DMed me asking for the article link because I couldn’t share it in the post. So here it is: A Practical Guide to Overcoming Phone Addiction

If you’re tired of battling the “screen time monster,” this article has actionable tips to help you reclaim your time, no matter how addicted you are. Seriously, it changed my life.

Good luck to everyone trying to cut their screen time. You got this, my friend! 💪

Lastly, I want to thank my girlfriend for her unwavering support throughout this journey and Discipulus for writing that transformative article that made a huge impact on my life.

A few months ago, I shared how I cut my screen time from 8h 55m to just 1h 25m. It’s been 5 months, so I figured it’s time for an update!

But first, here’s the link to my original post for those who missed it: My girlfriend helped me cut my screen time from 8 hours and 55 minutes to 1 hour and 28 minutes (Proof at the end)

Now, let me spill the tea on how cutting my screen time has seriously changed my life:

1. More Time for the Good Stuff: Less time scrolling = more time doing things I actually love, like swimming, reading, studying, or just hanging out with my favorite people. Oh, and the focus? Unreal. I can now get through tasks without a million distractions pulling me away.

2. Bye-Bye, FOMO: Turning off constant notifications and ditching the mindless scrolling felt SO freeing. I’m no longer glued to what everyone else is doing, and honestly? I’m way happier just living in the moment and doing my own thing.

3. Sleep = Leveled Up: Cutting out phone time at night was a game-changer. I wake up feeling rested (finally!) and ready to tackle the day. My bedtime routine now feels like a cozy ritual instead of a late-night doom-scroll marathon.

4. Actually Being Present: Whether I’m on a walk, vibing to music, watching anime, or spending time with my loved ones, I’m all in. No more multitasking with my phone in one hand and half-paying attention. My focus has gone from meh to next level—I can actually sit and read or study for hours now.

5. Me and My Phone = Healthy Boundaries: My phone? It’s a tool now, not a time-suck. I only use it intentionally, and that little shift has made my days feel so much more productive and meaningful. Bonus: My anxiety and stress have plummeted.

6. Stronger Connections: I’ve gotten so much closer to the people around me. Conversations feel deeper, and those phone-free moments (especially before bed) remind me how special undistracted time really is.

7. SO Much Extra Time: Cutting my screen time has freed up so many hours of my life. I feel so much lighter, knowing I don’t have to carry my phone everywhere. Morning walks with my sister? Just vibes. No distractions, just enjoying the moment.

Real Talk:
The past few months haven’t been all sunshine and rainbows. I’ve been struggling with some pretty tough depression, and during sleepless nights, my phone became a way to cope and quiet my dark thoughts. But the good news? I’ve slowly been getting back into my healthy sleep routine over the past few weeks. Progress is progress.

P.S. Last time, a lot of you commented and DMed me asking for the article link because I couldn’t share it in the post. So here it is: A Practical Guide to Overcoming Phone Addiction

If you’re tired of battling the “screen time monster,” this article has actionable tips to help you reclaim your time, no matter how addicted you are. Seriously, it changed my life.

Good luck to everyone trying to cut their screen time. You got this, my friend! 💪

Lastly, I want to thank my girlfriend for her unwavering support throughout this journey and Discipulus for writing that transformative article that made a huge impact on my life.

A few months ago, I shared how I cut my screen time from 8h 55m to just 1h 25m. It’s been 5 months, so I figured it’s time for an update!

But first, here’s the link to my original post for those who missed it: I finally cut my screen time from 8 hours and 55 minutes to 1 hour and 28 minutes (Proof at the end)

Now, let me spill the tea on how cutting my screen time has seriously changed my life:

1. More Time for the Good Stuff: Less time scrolling = more time doing things I actually love, like swimming, reading, studying, or just hanging out with my favorite people. Oh, and the focus? Unreal. I can now get through tasks without a million distractions pulling me away.

2. Bye-Bye, FOMO: Turning off constant notifications and ditching the mindless scrolling felt SO freeing. I’m no longer glued to what everyone else is doing, and honestly? I’m way happier just living in the moment and doing my own thing.

3. Sleep = Leveled Up: Cutting out phone time at night was a game-changer. I wake up feeling rested (finally!) and ready to tackle the day. My bedtime routine now feels like a cozy ritual instead of a late-night doom-scroll marathon.

4. Actually Being Present: Whether I’m on a walk, vibing to music, watching anime, or spending time with my loved ones, I’m all in. No more multitasking with my phone in one hand and half-paying attention. My focus has gone from meh to next level—I can actually sit and read or study for hours now.

5. Me and My Phone = Healthy Boundaries: My phone? It’s a tool now, not a time-suck. I only use it intentionally, and that little shift has made my days feel so much more productive and meaningful. Bonus: My anxiety and stress have plummeted.

6. Stronger Connections: I’ve gotten so much closer to the people around me. Conversations feel deeper, and those phone-free moments (especially before bed) remind me how special undistracted time really is.

7. SO Much Extra Time: Cutting my screen time has freed up so many hours of my life. I feel so much lighter, knowing I don’t have to carry my phone everywhere. Morning walks with my sister? Just vibes. No distractions, just enjoying the moment.

Real Talk:
The past few months haven’t been all sunshine and rainbows. I’ve been struggling with some pretty tough depression, and during sleepless nights, my phone became a way to cope and quiet my dark thoughts. But the good news? I’ve slowly been getting back into my healthy sleep routine over the past few weeks. Progress is progress.

P.S. Last time, a lot of you commented and DMed me asking for the article link because I couldn’t share it in the post. So here it is: A Practical Guide to Overcoming Phone Addiction

If you’re tired of battling the “screen time monster,” this article has actionable tips to help you reclaim your time, no matter how addicted you are. Seriously, it changed my life.

Good luck to everyone trying to cut their screen time. You got this, my friend! 💪

Lastly, I want to thank my girlfriend for her unwavering support throughout this journey and Discipulus for writing that transformative article that made a huge impact on my life.

Share your best and worst productivity methods along with your personal experiences. Maybe it will help others in this community choose the right method for themselves based on our collective experiences.

I'll start by sharing the best and worst productivity methods I've tried, along with my personal thoughts:

Worst — Getting Things Done (GTD)

There's no doubt that GTD is one of the most popular productivity methods out there. Many of you might even consider it the best. However, my experience with it was far from positive. In my case, I found that this method pushed me to work non-stop, completely ignoring the importance of health and well-being. Personally, I believe it fuels a toxic productivity mindset that emphasizes doing more, without considering the quality of life. It pains me to remember how, in the past, GTD led me to experience severe mental health issues, including burnout, stress, and constant overwhelm. On top of that, I often felt like a failure whenever I couldn’t complete everything on my to-do list by the end of the day.

Best — Humane Productivity Framework

I came across this method earlier this month, but I can confidently say it’s the best one I’ve ever encountered. What sets this framework apart is its core philosophy, which focuses on managing energy and attention, rather than just time. The creator argues that while time is constant, our energy and focus fluctuate—and that’s what we should be managing. Since adopting this framework, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my productivity. More importantly, I no longer deal with the stress, burnout, or constant feelings of failure that plagued me with other methods. It’s been a game-changer for me. Also, it never pushed me beyond my limits like other methods due to its mindful and unique approach, which helped me stay focused and only do those things that are actually important.

I’m really looking forward to hearing about your best and worst productivity methods. I hope to learn something new from your personal experiences, as someone who's also on the journey of self-improvement!

EXTRA: I will add the link to the article here for easy access, just in case anyone else is interested in checking out Humane Productivity Framework.

I started reading last year, mostly productivity stuff, but now I’m really looking to jump into fiction to unwind after a long week of uni, studying, and work. I need something to help me relax during the weekends without feeling like I’m working.

I’d love some recommendations for books that are short enough to finish in a day but still hit hard and are totally worth it. No specific genre preferences right now. I'm open to whatever. Looking forward to seeing what you guys suggest. Thank you very much in advance.

I started reading last year, mostly productivity stuff, but now I’m really looking to jump into fiction to unwind after a long week of uni, studying, and work. I need something to help me relax during the weekends without feeling like I’m working.

I’d love some recommendations for books that are short enough to finish in a day but still hit hard and are totally worth it. No specific genre preferences right now. I'm open to whatever. Looking forward to seeing what you guys suggest. Thank you very much in advance.

I'm going on my first overseas trip with my girlfriend since we started dating. I worked hard all last year to earn and save money for this trip. It will be our first international trip ever, and I want to make it perfect, memorable, and the best trip of our lives.

I've read countless articles online to ensure everything is perfect. It felt overwhelming to the point that my head started to hurt. Fortunately, I found an article that provided a detailed guideline, and it seemed like the perfect guide. My girlfriend and I have been following it, and it has been very helpful so far.

However, I decided to come to this community to seek additional guidance, advice, and tips from you all, just in case the article missed something important. My girlfriend and I would greatly appreciate any travel tips, advice, and guidance you have, as this is our first trip abroad together.

I'm going on my first overseas trip with my girlfriend since we started dating. I worked hard all last year to earn and save money for this trip. It will be our first international trip ever, and I want to make it perfect, memorable, and the best trip of our lives.

I've read countless articles online to ensure everything is perfect. It felt overwhelming to the point that my head started to hurt. Fortunately, I found an article that provided a detailed guideline, and it seemed like the perfect guide. My girlfriend and I have been following it, and it has been very helpful so far.

However, I decided to come to this community to seek additional guidance, advice, and tips from you all, just in case the article missed something important. My girlfriend and I would greatly appreciate any travel tips, advice, and guidance you have, as this is our first trip abroad together.

TL;DR: In four weeks, I’ve cut my average screen time from 8 hours and 55 minutes to 1 hour and 28 minutes on average.

I know no one cares about this, but I still wanted to share it here just in case someone is facing the same problem and looking for motivation.

I recently finished my semester and got a summer break. My girlfriend and I planned our first big trip abroad, something we’d been looking forward to for more than a year. But after getting free from studies and exams, I got addicted to my phone, spending hours scrolling social media. My addiction started to ruin our plans and our excitement for the trip.

More than a month ago, my girlfriend spent a weekend finding resources to help me. She found an article with practical methods for different levels of phone addiction. Inspired by her effort, I decided to give it a shot.

Week 1 saw my screen time drop to 7 hours and 35 minutes on average, which made me very happy because I never thought anything would help me with my phone addiction. Even though I started with no hope, seeing this result gave me hope.

Week 2 brought it down further to 5 hours and 12 minutes on average. The key was a fun challenge my girlfriend and I did together to stay off our phones. Having her as my support system made everything so much easier.

In Week 3, I tried a $23 timed locker my girlfriend got from Amazon. It worked wonders, cutting my late-night screen time and improving my sleep. I ended the week with an average of 4 hours and 3 minutes on average. Despite a slight setback over the weekend due to feeling down, I’m happy with my progress, even though it was very little.

In the last week of this challenge, I kept up the same habits but added a new twist suggested by my girlfriend. We signed up for swimming classes and started going daily because we always wanted to learn swimming. It’s been fun, and I’m loving every second of it. I also started locking my phone for an hour in the morning using the timed locker. This helped me bring down my screen time to 1 hour and 28 minutes. While my initial goal was 1 hour or less, I’m proud of myself with my progress.

Honestly, I couldn't have achieved this without my girlfriend’s support. I’m incredibly grateful to have her in my life. Dating her was the best decision I've ever made. I want to write a big thank-you paragraph here, but I don't want to bore anyone.

Here is my screen time screenshot before I started: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JQVQaI1q7xgLUpojzx6osRci8zwwGWoJ/view?usp=sharing

Here is my screen time screenshot from the previous week: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TjBWCJyLDX29fdgdaq-UJ21X3osVcBhx/view?usp=sharing

TL;DR: In four weeks, I’ve cut my average screen time from 8 hours and 55 minutes to 1 hour and 28 minutes on average.

I know no one cares about this, but I still wanted to share it here just in case someone is facing the same problem and looking for motivation.

I recently finished my semester and got a summer break. My girlfriend and I planned our first big trip abroad, something we’d been looking forward to for more than a year. But after getting free from studies and exams, I got addicted to my phone, spending hours scrolling social media. My addiction started to ruin our plans and our excitement for the trip.

More than a month ago, my girlfriend spent a weekend finding resources to help me. She found an article with practical methods for different levels of phone addiction. Inspired by her effort, I decided to give it a shot.

Week 1 saw my screen time drop to 7 hours and 35 minutes on average, which made me very happy because I never thought anything would help me with my phone addiction. Even though I started with no hope, seeing this result gave me hope.

Week 2 brought it down further to 5 hours and 12 minutes on average. The key was a fun challenge my girlfriend and I did together to stay off our phones. Having her as my support system made everything so much easier.

In Week 3, I tried a $23 timed locker my girlfriend got from Amazon. It worked wonders, cutting my late-night screen time and improving my sleep. I ended the week with an average of 4 hours and 3 minutes on average. Despite a slight setback over the weekend due to feeling down, I’m happy with my progress, even though it was very little.

In the last week of this challenge, I kept up the same habits but added a new twist suggested by my girlfriend. We signed up for swimming classes and started going daily because we always wanted to learn swimming. It’s been fun, and I’m loving every second of it. I also started locking my phone for an hour in the morning using the timed locker. This helped me bring down my screen time to 1 hour and 28 minutes. While my initial goal was 1 hour or less, I’m proud of myself with my progress.

Honestly, I couldn't have achieved this without my girlfriend’s support. I’m incredibly grateful to have her in my life. Dating her was the best decision I've ever made. I want to write a big thank-you paragraph here, but I don't want to bore anyone.

Here is my screen time screenshot before I started: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JQVQaI1q7xgLUpojzx6osRci8zwwGWoJ/view?usp=sharing

Here is my screen time screenshot from the previous week: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TjBWCJyLDX29fdgdaq-UJ21X3osVcBhx/view?usp=sharing

TL;DR: In four weeks, I’ve cut my average screen time from 8 hours and 55 minutes to 1 hour and 28 minutes on average.

I know no one cares about this, but I still wanted to share it here just in case someone is facing the same problem and looking for motivation.

I recently finished my semester and got a summer break. My girlfriend and I planned our first big trip abroad, something we’d been looking forward to for more than a year. But after getting free from studies and exams, I got addicted to my phone, spending hours scrolling social media. My addiction started to ruin our plans and our excitement for the trip.

More than a month ago, my girlfriend spent a weekend finding resources to help me. She found an article with practical methods for different levels of phone addiction. Inspired by her effort, I decided to give it a shot.

Week 1 saw my screen time drop to 7 hours and 35 minutes on average, which made me very happy because I never thought anything would help me with my phone addiction. Even though I started with no hope, seeing this result gave me hope.

Week 2 brought it down further to 5 hours and 12 minutes on average. The key was a fun challenge my girlfriend and I did together to stay off our phones. Having her as my support system made everything so much easier.

In Week 3, I tried a $23 timed locker my girlfriend got from Amazon. It worked wonders, cutting my late-night screen time and improving my sleep. I ended the week with an average of 4 hours and 3 minutes on average. Despite a slight setback over the weekend due to feeling down, I’m happy with my progress, even though it was very little.

In the last week of this challenge, I kept up the same habits but added a new twist suggested by my girlfriend. We signed up for swimming classes and started going daily because we always wanted to learn swimming. It’s been fun, and I’m loving every second of it. I also started locking my phone for an hour in the morning using the timed locker. This helped me bring down my screen time to 1 hour and 28 minutes. While my initial goal was 1 hour or less, I’m proud of myself with my progress.

Honestly, I couldn't have achieved this without my girlfriend’s support. I’m incredibly grateful to have her in my life. Dating her was the best decision I've ever made. I want to write a big thank-you paragraph here, but I don't want to bore anyone.

Here is my screen time screenshot before I started: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JQVQaI1q7xgLUpojzx6osRci8zwwGWoJ/view?usp=sharing

Here is my screen time screenshot from the previous week: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TjBWCJyLDX29fdgdaq-UJ21X3osVcBhx/view?usp=sharing