How Switching to Email Only Reduced My Phone Addiction and Transformed My Life

In today's world, instant messaging has become the norm. Whether we're chatting with friends, family, or colleagues, the convenience of quick texts is undeniable. However, this convenience comes at a cost. I've noticed that the more I text, the more time I spend glued to my phone. It starts innocently enough—replying to a message or two—but soon, I'm scrolling through endless chats, sending memes, and responding to notifications. The result? Hours lost in front of a screen and a growing sense of phone addiction.

This realization hit me hard. I longed for the days of the 90s, when communication was more deliberate. Back then, we relied on physical letters and also emails in the early 2000s. Writing a letter or an email wasn't something you did on a whim. You thought carefully about each word, ensuring your message was clear and meaningful.

Determined to reclaim this sense of intentionality, I decided to experiment with using email as my primary mode of communication. The transition wasn't easy. At first, I felt disconnected from the constant stream of updates from friends and family. But as the days went by, I noticed a significant change. My phone screen time began to plummet—from a staggering four hours a day to just 35 minutes. This remaining time was spent checking emails and handling necessary tasks.

The shift to email-only communication had several benefits. For one, it forced me to be concise and thoughtful. Instead of sending off quick, often meaningless texts, I crafted emails that conveyed important information and updates. This made my interactions more substantial and fulfilling. Scheduling video calls with friends and family also became a planned event, adding a sense of occasion to our conversations.

Don't get me wrong—instant messaging and modern technologies are incredibly useful. They have their place in our lives. But it's about how we use them. Before my email experiment, my messaging apps were filled with forwarded videos, memes, and news that added little value to my day. By switching to email, I cut out the noise and focused on what truly mattered.

Now, I stay connected with my loved ones through meaningful exchanges. If I need to have a video call, I schedule it on my computer, ensuring that I'm fully present during our conversation. This approach has not only reduced my screen time but also improved the quality of my relationships.

I encourage you to try this experiment. Embrace digital minimalism by switching to email for a week. Pay attention to how it changes your interactions and impacts your screen time. You might be surprised at the positive changes it brings to your life.

Let me know if you're going to try this :)