I recently decided to start locking my phone away in a lockbox each day when I'm home (I still take it to work and elsewhere for safety/navigation, and I check my messages a few times a day)

I was brain rotting during all of my free time, had Youtube or spotify running throughout every meal, bathroom break, shower, getting the mail, driving, anything and everything. I wasn't able to process any thoughts or work towards my longer term goals as much as I should, or do hobbies I like, because I was always having my attention shattered into pieces, doing things that ultimately did not matter, and that have probably stolen thousands of hours from me.

So on July 20th (still going strong) I began locking my phone in a box each day, after 10:30AM-ish, and only getting it out to occasionally check messages, and do a couple other small necessary things. I also deleted almost all of my apps except the necessary ones.

I quickly realized I needed a note taking solution. So I got a field notes, and cut it a bit smaller, and used that for like 10 days. In the mean time, I bought an eReader (Xteink x3), and this Lochby mini pocket journal, to put the eReader in, as well as my daily notes. The whole thing now acts as a replacement for my phone sort of, and it's been really great. It's a little bulky now that I've added the water-coloring supplies, but I don't mind at all. Still fits in my pocket.

So yeah it's been great. I've read 2, almost 3 books in the last few weeks, and have been avoiding my phone with ease. I actually don't miss it at all somehow. When I do have it out, I do get drawn into checking messages over and over, still in those same old habits. But once it's put up, I can relax and read, workout, or do watercolor as I've only literally just started doing like a couple days ago (I suck), or even just nap. I would highly recommend just physically locking your phone in a box in another room for those who feel they're getting their valuable time stolen. I can imagine it could be a lot harder for some who must communicate with family, or co-workers, with quick response times. That isn't the case for me luckily. But I still worry about the rare situation where I'll need to respond to something urgently, but won't see it. So I'm going to think about a solution for that.

Gear list:

- Lochby Mini Pocket Journal

- Xteink x3

- Art Toolkit's Demi Explore Pallete

- Hong Dian M2

- Zebra TS-3

- Pental Aquash mini

- Strathmore artist trading cards

- Random old stickers

Edit: Also i'm kind of worried about the lifespan of the Xteink x3 in this pocket journal setup. I can imagine this being in my pocket, and me accidentally bumping my thigh against a counter top or something, and that putting a damaging amount of pressure on the display. But I've been loving it so far.

Edit #2: This might go without saying, but, since this whole setup is pretty new I'm sure it's not totally optimal yet, and so it might change down the line.