I'm glad to hear that your system is helping you be more present. When I switched back to the iPod for my music/podcast device last year, my average screen time has been less than an hour per day. Sure, I'm still consuming media but I'm much more intentional about it. Maybe this will help you further. Good read as always.
We do the same in our house! We do understand that sometimes we all need “me time” and that could mean we are on the tv, or devices or even board games. To make sure we split this time evenly and remain present and productive as a family we use the five gears system.
Gear 5 is focus mode. Reserved for deep work.
Gear 4 is task mode. This is the gear for to do lists like cleaning the house, done homework etc.
Gear 3 is social mode. We shift into this gear when we go to a party or gathering. This one is where small talk is a thing.
Gear 2 is connect mode. This is the gear where we put phones away, play board games, and spend quality time together.
Gear 1 is recharge mode. Recharge is different for everyone and so this is the lode where I might go to Barnes and noble alone or when my son paints on own.
When we shift into these we literally say, I alright time for some gear 2, let’s watch a movie. Or just might say to my wife “I need to get into gear 1, I’m feeling irritable.” Using these words really creates a common language that helps keep us all accountable and on the same page!
Actually, give me a shout if you have any interest in writing this up as a guest post? It's something I want to experiment with a bit more and I love this topic. You can email me at michael.mantovani@gmail.com and we can hash it out if you're interested.
My wife and I found that what might take 20 mins to put the bub to bed, would turn into an hour if we include the phones. Partly because it'll distract the little one and introduce light, but also ( perhaps mainly) - because we'll forget to come out and just scroll in the dark
hahaha I've done that before. recently, in fact. Got real into a longform story in The Atlantic. Who knows how long I was in there after he konked but it was at least an hour.
Those darn phones.
I'm glad to hear that your system is helping you be more present. When I switched back to the iPod for my music/podcast device last year, my average screen time has been less than an hour per day. Sure, I'm still consuming media but I'm much more intentional about it. Maybe this will help you further. Good read as always.
We do the same in our house! We do understand that sometimes we all need “me time” and that could mean we are on the tv, or devices or even board games. To make sure we split this time evenly and remain present and productive as a family we use the five gears system.
Gear 5 is focus mode. Reserved for deep work.
Gear 4 is task mode. This is the gear for to do lists like cleaning the house, done homework etc.
Gear 3 is social mode. We shift into this gear when we go to a party or gathering. This one is where small talk is a thing.
Gear 2 is connect mode. This is the gear where we put phones away, play board games, and spend quality time together.
Gear 1 is recharge mode. Recharge is different for everyone and so this is the lode where I might go to Barnes and noble alone or when my son paints on own.
When we shift into these we literally say, I alright time for some gear 2, let’s watch a movie. Or just might say to my wife “I need to get into gear 1, I’m feeling irritable.” Using these words really creates a common language that helps keep us all accountable and on the same page!
Actually, give me a shout if you have any interest in writing this up as a guest post? It's something I want to experiment with a bit more and I love this topic. You can email me at michael.mantovani@gmail.com and we can hash it out if you're interested.
oh wow I love this... gonna share it with my wife.
My wife and I found that what might take 20 mins to put the bub to bed, would turn into an hour if we include the phones. Partly because it'll distract the little one and introduce light, but also ( perhaps mainly) - because we'll forget to come out and just scroll in the dark
hahaha I've done that before. recently, in fact. Got real into a longform story in The Atlantic. Who knows how long I was in there after he konked but it was at least an hour.