Dumb Phones Make You Smarter

Today I bought a flip-phone; a TCL Flip 3, if you're interested. I spent quite a bit of time transferring the contacts that I wanted to keep, even longer because I had to learn how to use the 9-key pad. I was surprised to find out by the evening a few things:

I spent a good long while with absolutely zero notifications. It felt weird, because I have lived for so long with always something. It's like being a celebrity almost, having to wave away my spam emails, life360 notifications, anything and everything I never took the time to shut off. To have nothing was a strange, strange feeling. I do truly believe in dopamine addiction, and I could feel myself here searching for other experiences that would bring me that feeling. 

I had more genuine conversation today- on my phone and otherwise- than I have for a while now. It was really, really nice. I even made plans with an old friend when, to be honest, I haven't hung out with anyone who isn't my boyfriend or my family in ages. 

I am so thankful that I have the means to have this experience, and I'm thankful that I have come to a place in my life where I want something like this for myself. If any of you are thinking about ditching the socials and the constant stimulation, I definitely recommend a flip phone. (And, if you have doubts, just know many can still do a lot of the things that you may miss on your current phone!)