Over the last year, I've been slowly untangling myself from my iPhone — removing the apps that distract me, reaching for books or magazines instead, and experimenting with what it feels like to make my device less interesting. Because the truth is, I want to be a more present person. Someone whose using idle moments wisely instead of mindlessly.

In this episode, I share all the details and the effect it's having on my life.

Specifically:

• Why I stopped posting on Instagram

• The simple change that reduced my screen time almost immediately

• The "glittery apps" I removed (and why)

• The tension between needing technology and wanting space from it

• How I'm handling things like Google, email, and yes — even ChatGPT

• The tactile rituals I've replaced scrolling with (books, magazines, painting)

• A new daily noticing practice that's helping me retrain my attention

So, if you've been feeling overstimulated, distracted, or just tired of your phone having such a strong pull on your nervous system — this might inspire your own experiment.

Join Me over on This Season

If you're not already subscribed to my Substack, I'm sharing monthly updates on this analog experiment — including what's working, what's hard, and what I'm learning along the way. You can join me at blairbadenhop.substack.com.

Resources:

• 90s Nostalgia, the Pull to Go Analog, and How I'm Making It Happen
• The Energy Leak I Had to Plug Up, a Substack post from October 2025