I have been trying to better navigate my relationship with technology. It feels like a silly concern - I'm an adult, I should just be able to make sensible choices. But I am not always sure where the lines are between technologies being intentionally addictive, craving escapism as a way to avoid my problems, and just needing better habits. Probably a combination of the three.

Regardless, I notice the craving for distraction in myself. Every moment I'm distracted, is a moment I'm not fully present in my life. That's not to say that all distraction or escapism is bad, but I want it to be conscious and intentional, not compulsive or accidental.

I would love to take some sort of dramatic, symbolic action, throw my phone off a cliff and embark on a picturesque, romanticized lifestyle. But that's just not real. I have a house, pets, family, all the responsibilities. I just need to be better at managing it all.

For information and inspiration, I have read Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport, How to Break up With Your Phone by Catherine Price, and Do Nothing by Celeste Headlee, all of which are helpful and I recommend them. I appreciate the perspective and information about the addictive manipulation built into apps and websites, and strategies for simplifying.

Regarding phones, I make minimal use of social media in general and don't have any social media on my phone. But I do have periodically check email on my phone, along with having a look at the headlines on a news site. It's a sort of stress compulsion I think, to check to see if anything dreadful has happened since the last time I looked, which is why I'm trying to change that habit. It helps when the news is boring.

In order to use the phone less, I like to use single-function and low-distraction devices when I can, such as the Supernote tablet for blogging and writing, my old iPod Classic with a portable speaker for music, and good old-fashioned paper notebooks and fountain pens for planning, lists and some of my journaling. I also turn off the internet a fair amount of the time. And I like to use simple software for writing when I do use my computer - a simple text editor (GEdit lately), and Zim Wiki. I'd like to try using terminal based programs where I can on the computer, to reduce visual clutter and overstimulation. But that will take some research and practice, so no promises.

I make heavy use of the Night Light feature in Ubuntu and on my phone. My eyes are sensitive, and harsh blue light really bothers me. I keep the lights in my house a warm tone too, which is more calming. that's why I have these little orange pumpkin silicone night lights. Biologically speaking, we should all just have firelight after dark, so that's the light spectrum I aim for at night.

It's all just trying to find a way to use the advantages of modern technology, without whacking out my nervous system. That should be easy peasy, right?

Well, it's an ongoing pursuit.