A couple of weeks ago we spoke about our phones being our modern day idols. I shared some thoughts on social media and technology as a dangerous master (click here if you would like to read it). Today’s newsletter will be the part 2 of that newsletter where I will share some of the tips and steps to flip this dynamic into letting our devices be our greatest servant. These are all things I have learned along the way in my own journey with technology and found to truly make a big difference in breaking an addiction that can feel impossible to defeat. I hope you find them helpful too!

The first thing that started to truly change my relationship with my devices was fasting. I did a fast that included staying off all forms of social media for 3 weeks and setting strict communication limitations on WhatsApp. This forced me to be reminded of God in the moments I would've previously turned to my phone. In the long run I have managed to stick to some of the habits I set for myself during that time like setting specific times to check my phone. (see point 2)

Earlier this year I also did a day fast from my iPad as a whole because I found myself being consumed by YouTube and wasting the precious time I’ve been given. That one day of faithfulness made such an impact on my relationship with my iPad and allowed me to use it as a tool for creativity rather than a place of consumption. (see point 3)

Overall I think fasting is a great way to surrender our devices and social media to God and make sure it doesn’t become an idol. When we bring our struggles to God He can transform them into good and, in this case, renew our relationship with technology.

I have found Apple’s screen time limits way to easy to get through. I’ve set them up countless times and still find myself automatically pressing the ‘open for 15 min’ button. It simply just doesn’t work for me.

A while ago my boyfriend introduced me to an app called ScreenZen and it has truly made such a massive difference on my discipline with my phone. It is incredibly customizable and you really can make it as easy or difficult to access an app as you would like. I have found that putting a 1 minute countdown on the actual ScreenZen app to disable another app’s limit has been really helpful. It has given me a much greater incentive not to open apps like instagram for no good reason.

Another one of the major tricks I have found to help me make my devices work better for me is defining what their uses actually are. I am very fortunate to have a phone, iPad and laptop. So I have defined each of these spaces as connect, create and work respectively. My phone is a space of connection which includes messaging friends and family, organizing events and generally staying in touch with people. My iPad is a space of creating through drawing, learning a new skill like crocheting, playing around with designs on Canva, brainstorming project inspiration on Pinterest, finding recipes to cook and journaling. I have dedicated my laptop to work. This is where I access my uni work, write and work on assignments and write for The Growing Seed.

Something that is important to note on this is that the apps and layout you have on a device needs to align with its role. It doesn't help I download Instagram on my laptop or only have Word on my phone. Based on a device’s function you can refine the apps you use on it.

The use of my phone is to stay connected. I want to make use of the blessing of being able to stay in contact with my friends and family but I don’t want messages to become an unnecessary distraction in my life. So, my solution to this has been to set times throughout the day that are dedicated to being on my phone and responding to ALL my messages. Usually this is in the morning after my Bible study and in the evenings before I go to bed. I also have set up a focus on my phone that only allows notifications from necessary chats and calls. This prevents distractions while I’m studying or busy with another task in my day.

Setting intentional time blocks can be used for more than just responding to messages. I have set Wednesday evenings as a time for me to recreationally watch YouTube and Saturdays for catching up on Instagram.

This is also a great way to be motivated to stay off platforms when it is not their time as well as enjoying the time you do spend on them guilt-free. I think this is one of the most impactful way to make your devices be your servant, not your master.

All of these tips are helpful to force you to stay off of apps that you don’t want to spend all your time on. On the flip side, if you fill your time with the things you really want to be doing, staying off of social media and other distractions will be a byproduct. Often we turn to our phones when we are bored and don’t know what to do with our time. If we can identify and fill those pockets of time, the effect will be a more intentional use of our time and a reduced grasp of technology on our time.

I experienced this when I started university. The new responsibilities and busy schedule of classes and recreation carried me to the end of the day without an opportunity to mindlessly scroll on my phone.

I hope you found these tips useful and practical for you to apply to your own life. There is so much opportunity and beauty in this world that the Lord has to show us, let us not allow the enemy a foothold in the gift of technology and rather steward this blessing well.

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I hope you have a good week further and we’ll chat again soon,

Cailyn x