Not a Slave to My Phone: Why I Keep Do Not Disturb Mode On 90% of the Time
You have your phone in your hand all day, but you're not able to respond to a message or pick up a call? I hear questions like this very often. Studies show that today, most people expect a response within 5 minutes. Yes, you read that right! An hour is already the borderline time that is still acceptable for most people. But I have decided that I don't want to be a slave to my phone, and you can make the same decision too!
Most of you might be thinking now, "What? But I'll miss this and that information! I need to have my phone with me all the time because of work, because of the kids... What if something happens?" I was always used to having my phone with me, constantly checking it, with the endless beeping and ringing being a part of my daily routine. And let's not even talk about the Apple Watch that constantly vibrated on my wrist, alerting me to a new message or incoming call... But then I decided that I didn't want to live like that anymore. That it doesn't have to be that way. I'm one of those people who, after a certain point, can't stand text messages, and even worse for me is dealing with serious topics via SMS – that just wouldn't work for me. For me, text messages serve only for quick coordination or confirming a time and place. That's why it doesn't bother me at all that I have 47 unread messages and more than 1,580 emails glowing red. I believe that if it's important, the person will call.
Today, I want to offer you a slightly different perspective. I understand that some people work via their phones and have to be like a switchboard operator all day. But in this article, I'm focusing on our free time and non-work communication. It often happens that even in moments when we should be relaxing or spending time with our families, the phone constantly interrupts us. And it's precisely this free time, when we should be recharging our energy and enjoying the present moment, that we should protect from the overload of notifications and constant beeping.
Nowadays, we've become accustomed to being constantly online, available, and ready to respond to every message or notification. It's even expected of us! However, this constant availability can have a negative impact on our mental health and overall well-being. When we allow ourselves to be interrupted every few minutes, our minds never get the chance to rest or focus. Moreover, when we're glued to our phones, we lose touch with the reality around us – with the people who are close to us, with nature, and with ourselves. There's nothing worse than when someone invites you out for coffee and spends half the time looking at their phone – what a waste of our time! I believe we can all imagine even worse situations than the one I just mentioned. Unfortunately, it happens.
That's why I decided to turn on "Do Not Disturb" mode on my phone for most of the day. This simple step has helped me regain control over my time and focus. Suddenly, I realized how much free time I have when I don't have to respond to every message immediately, and how much I enjoy spending time on other meaningful activities that fulfill me. Don't get me wrong, I love listening to podcasts, so for me, my phone is more of a tool for personal development and education, and that's how I use it most of the time – podcasts, e-books, audiobooks, online seminars. I'm not against phones; I just believe that the phone should serve us as a helpful tool, not the other way around.
Implementing the "Do Not Disturb" mode has brought me several significant benefits. The first and most important is peace of mind. I finally had the opportunity to fully focus on activities that I truly enjoy and that fulfill me, without being interrupted by notifications. For example, reading a book, engaging in hobbies, or just taking a simple walk became much more enjoyable when my attention wasn't constantly drawn back to my phone. Another positive is the improvement in sleep quality – no more beeping in the middle of the night, waking me up and disrupting my rest.
Moreover, I've noticed that I now have more time and space to think deeply about things. I don't have to worry about missing something important because what's truly important will always find its way to me. This new approach has allowed me to be more present in my own life and better understand what is truly important to me.
If my approach resonates with you and you'd like to try it too, here are a few simple tips on how to get started:
Set up "Do Not Disturb" mode – Start by setting "Do Not Disturb" mode for certain time intervals, such as during the workday, in the evening before bed, or during family time. You can also create exceptions for important contacts so that only truly important calls get through to you.
Turn off notifications – Try turning off notifications for apps that often distract you, such as social media or email. This will reduce constant interruptions and give you more peace and focus.
Put your phone away – When you're focusing on something important, leave your phone in another room. You'll find that you can better concentrate on what you're doing, and you won't feel the urge to constantly check it.
Set specific times to check messages – Instead of checking your phone every few minutes, set specific times during the day to respond to messages or emails. This will help you manage your time better.
Engage in activities without your phone – Find activities that you enjoy and that don't require your phone. It could be reading, taking a walk, exercising, or perhaps a hobby that fulfills you. You'll learn to spend time without the constant presence of technology.
When I started applying these tips in my daily life, I soon noticed positive changes. Suddenly, I had more time for activities that I truly enjoy and could focus more on the people around me. Gradually, I became less dependent on constantly checking my phone and began to enjoy moments that previously went unnoticed. My ability to be truly present also improved – whether in conversations with friends, during family dinners, or even at work.
Another significant benefit was the improvement in my relationships with my loved ones. When I stopped constantly being distracted by my phone, I found that I was able to listen more and be more empathetic. Suddenly, I realized how much technology was affecting my relationships and how little I had noticed it before. By limiting my availability, I paradoxically gained more quality time with the people I care about.
If you decide to try some of these tips, you'll see that limiting your phone usage can bring many positive changes to your life. Not only will you have more time for the things you truly enjoy, but you'll also become more present in your own life and in your relationships with others. You don't have to be a slave to your phone – you just need to take a few steps to free yourself from the constant dependence on notifications and social media.
Remember that this process is gradual, and finding a balance that works for you may take some time. But trust me, it's worth it. You'll see that even small changes can have a big impact on your daily life and how you feel. So don't be afraid to take the first step and start enjoying life more outside of the screen.
Autor: Sylvie Bennett