This summer, as the sun kissed the earth and life seemed a bit more relaxed, I stumbled upon a new game on my phone. The game was one of those colorful, captivating puzzles where the objective was to pour colors between different bottles until each bottle had a single hue. In essence, it was designed for mindless entertainment. A true pastime.
It was refreshing to have it during the summer siestas. But as we transitioned from the leisure of summer to the demands of everyday life, I found the game consuming more of my time than I’d like. Especially time I didn’t intend to spend. That’s the trap with these games. They’re crafted to make you want to keep playing.
If you don’t succeed in a level, the urge to retry is powerful. And when you finally succeed, the joy pushes you to attempt the next. Before you know it, hours have passed. It’s a cycle that’s hard to break.
A few years back, during my early tryst with mindfulness, I cleared my phone of similar time-consuming apps like Candy Crush. I also reduced my notifications, tailoring them to only what I genuinely needed. Personal choices that aimed to reduce digital noise.
However, now that I use the same phone for both personal and work purposes, managing notifications has become a challenge. I wonder if there’s a way to schedule notifications? If anyone has insights, do share!
A week ago, I finally deleted that color-pouring game. Though, in a moment of boredom, I did reinstall it. But starting from scratch made me remember why I removed it in the first place. It didn’t take me long to delete it again. Liberation, at last! I’m hopeful this decision will stick, at least until the next summer.
How about you? Are there apps that you find irresistible? How do you manage the pull? In this digital age, sharing strategies to reduce distractions can help all of us focus on what truly brings joy, energy, and positivity into our lives.
Seeking more tech-life balance tips or want to share your own experiences? Drop a comment below! Let’s journey together towards a mindful digital world.
Grounded gardens 