It has been researched that people check their smartphones 150 times during the day. My husband purchased an iPhone long before I had my own, and I didn’t fully understand the beauty of such a device. Now that I have had my own for more than a few years I completely understand. Smartphones are incredible, yet they have seriously changed how I spend my time during the day.
I’ve already made the decision over a year ago to no longer begin my day with email or social media, yet I’d love to take things to the next level.
I’ve never counted how many times I actually look at my iPhone during the day, yet I desire to be more present in my daily life to enjoy each moment more fully. Have you ever observed yourself or others share content from their phones as part of the conversation? How about when you can’t think of a specific item, place, title, movie, or person during a conversation and immediately feel the need to look it up online? Have you ever acknowledged how noticing every text message or notification that comes through really affects the natural flow and energy that would be there otherwise? I’ve been guilty of this many times, and that’s why I want to do this experiment.
It’s the holiday season and spending quality undivided attention with those I love is more important to me than anything else. My phone doesn’t need to experience the holidays or my life in general, I do. My simple experiment involves only one minor change to my iPhone settings for a full week.
I’m taking the liberty to turn my iPhone to grayscale.
Although black and white photos have that vintage feel, it is not as inviting to view everything this way since we are so accustomed to color. I’m curious to discover if one full week of having my phone in grayscale will discourage obsessively tending to my phone throughout the day. I’m actually looking forward to this experiment. I believe it is always helpful to question my behavior to see if it is truly serving me.
Here’s how to turn your iPhone to grayscale. Go to…
1. Settings
2. General
3. Accessibility
4. Display Accommodations
5. Color Filter —> On
6. Check Grayscale
With future iPhone software updates these steps may change, yet this is what I recently did. I’m truly interested in seeing what I notice over this week. If any of you want to join me on this tiny experiment for the week, please do! I am also curious if any of you have ever tried this. If so, what have you noticed about setting your phone to grayscale?
Are you unconsciously hooked to your smartphone? No judgement, just dish the details in the comment section.
One Love!
(Image by Dawn Michelle)
Sarah says
This is an interesting idea. I used to have the Moment app on my phone, which tracks how much time you are spending on it. It was so depressing I ended up uninstalling it! Definitely something to work on.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Sarah,
I honestly think I’d like to install that app. Thanks for mentioning it. It would be a way to know if using grayscale helps to discourage excessive phone time. The only thing is I didn’t use it before this experiment. Thanks for stopping by and have a great holiday season!
Emma says
I am hooked on my smart phone. The funny thing is that I don’t even have a Facebook account, but I am ADDICTED to obsessing over the news. I literally check the news sites multiple times a day. I think this week I will try to tell myself I can only read the news twice a day – morning and evening.
Although I do not do this, I have noticed many people who can’t go to lunch with company without checking their phone multiple times. It seems like despite our technological advancements we have declined in proper etiquette. They also say that many kids are not learning proper socialization due to only communicating through text or social media, not face to face. It will be interesting to observe the impacts in another decade or so.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Emma,
I know many who feel similarly to you in regards to the news. I’m not that into the news because energetically it brings me down. Looking at headlines is more than enough for me at times. I also agree with the lack of etiquette when it comes to phone usual at meals. I usually keep my phone inside my bag. Putting your phone on the table makes it too easy to engage in it when it shouldn’t be the focus if you have company. What you said about children and proper socialization is also something that I’ve noticed. It really makes you wonder what things will look like years from now.
Dina says
I’m just stumbling upon your blog on a quiet Friday night (with tea and blankets!) and really enjoying it. I struggle with this myself, wanting to break free of my phone and making efforts to leave it behind when I go out for walks, or switch it to airplane mode. But on the other hand I’ve got this itch to get a new phone for a better camera (which I don’t need!)…. sigh. I’m going to try the grayscale thing and see if it works on Android. I think we have trained ourselves to use phones as a security blanket… when we’re feeling lonely, bored, or isolated, we grab them on instinct. In my opinion, smartphones are chipping away at our social skills, and then when things get awkward or uncomfortable, we rely on them even more, like a neverending cycle.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Dina,
I found that having my phone on grayscale really does help with being so attached to my phone. It took away all interest and I only used my phone for necessary things and nothing extra. Definitely give it a try and feel free to share your thoughts about the experience.
Janine says
This is interesting. How did it go? Did you notice that you handled your phone differently when it was switched to grayscale?
I like to engage in digital detoxes to free up mental space, become more focused/productive and receive more ideas. I usually accomplish a lot during those unplug times, so it helps.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Janine,
Grayscale takes away having too much interest in your phone. I’ve had the Moment app ever since I wrote this article and it has reminders of phone usage. I no longer have my phone on grayscale but I do use the app and find it very helpful. Now I don’t want to be too connected to my phone as I don’t think it’s the best example for my son. I want him to master turning pages of books instead of swiping left and right.