i used a dumb phone for 6 months. here’s what I learned.

after using a dumb phone (nokia 225 4g) for the past 6 months, i’m sharing what i’ve learned, the pros & cons of living without a smartphone, and whether i'm still using this phone.

chapters
00:00 intro
00:50 challenges
04:32 benefits + what I learned
11:08 am I still using this phone?

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FTC: this video is not sponsored. products shown were purchased by me and all opinions are my own.

[ashtonwomack]

would you try living without a smartphone? 📲 I'd love to hear about it if you do!

[readmycomment]

The fact that this video is calm, no unnecessary hyper music in the background, no edits super edits. This itself is so nice to watch, this video is refreshing as well as the content covered in it. Great work we need more such fashions

[PJ]

Stopped using a smart phone several years ago when I realized how badly it was messing up society. It was easily one of the healthiest decisions I've ever made.

[phyllisriley]

I’m 76 and my big reason for a smart phone is my deaf daughter. Texting with her and FaceTime with her is so much easier. What a blessing.

[deanporter]

I'm 48 so I remember how wonderful life was without cellphones altogether. Although I do own a smartphone I only really use it for work but I am 5 years now without a TV and I think its the best thing I have ever done.

[sapphirelane]

This is reminding me of life in high school! Back when “social media” was just something you checked on the family computer late at night. Back when everyone was afraid to press the internet button on their Nokias because of the data usage (and the crappy quality). All we did was send a few text messages every now and then, checked MySpace for 30 minutes, then it was back to the real world. I miss that peace and self control. I deleted my social media now, but YouTube still takes up my free time.😬

[funnymonkey]

I got a Nokia in January not knowing how long I would last but I can now 100% say I will never go back to having a smart phone. I deleted social media a year before to control anxiety and time spent on my phone, but found that I just replaced my time spent on instagram and snapchat with time spent on YouTube and streaming apps. My biggest issue with the thought of getting a dumb phone was also the inability to take photos, but I got a cache of disposable film cameras and an old digital cannon, and I find now that those methods of taking photos makes me cherish my memories more because when I am doing something fun I am enjoying myself in the present rather than pulling out my phone to capture every single thing I'm seeing, which inevitably leads to opening up other apps and distracting myself from the present moment. theres also nothing like using up a disposable over a month, taking it in to get developed and seeing a bunch of photos you don't even remember taking. That feeling is really special. I was also concerned about a lack of GPS but told myself that if my parents drove without GPS for 30 years I can too, and navigating myself through the Atlanta freeway to the airport with all of its exits and ramps going only by roadsigns despite the chaos and confusion was one of the most gratifying things ever lol. I've recommitted myself to hobbies like reading, crocheting and drawing and close friends and family have noticed how much more present we both are when we're together because theres one less smart phone demanding our attention. Having inconveniences in the virtual world is a small price to pay for living a more fulfilled and present life. If anyone is thinking about getting rid of their smartphone, do it!

[MrFun]

I took a slightly different approach to this: If I got frustrated after using an app (ie Social Media) or if I hadn't used an app for an extended time I deleted it. Also, I turned off all notifications. Now all my apps fit on the first screen on my phone and I don't have the constant distractions or frustrations that I used to have, but I still have access to a good camera, email, texting, and a browser if I need it.

[nebster-vpxs]

I'm also going to put my smartphone away and start using a dumb phone. I really don't like how the whole society got used to smartphones. We started to be dependent on them.

[rayderrich]

The dumber the phone the smarter the user. I love that you did this and talk about it. Thank you!

[nalakia]

I'm almost 50, and my husband loves his smart phone, but I switched back to an old flip phone. I hated how big the smart phone was and how delicate! Also, I hate having a dang leash. lol If I need a distraction while waiting somewhere, I can bring my sketch pad, or a paperback book with me when I go out.

[ronniestanley]

The thing about taking "photos" is the whole idea of taking them has changed over the years. It used to mean a dedicated device that was used to have physical photographs made. Now, it's something done save a memory into your phone. I'm not saying that people don't make real photos. I'm just saying that the vast majority of pictures taken mean absolutely nothing and will eventually either be lost or deleted for space. So, my question is, is having a camera really that important?? It seems to me that the idea of a camera has been completely distorted from a physical media to a virtual media that is a reason to constantly upgrade a phone and a reason for your attention to never actually be focused on your life. Instead of living your life, you are focused on recording it and playing it back for people you don't really know but want to impress for some odd reason.

[fqiguyq]

They were never considered "dumb phones" until the inevitable rise of so-called "smartphones." They were phones.

[adlevhashamayim]

I took art classes with this lady; I always knew she would do something amazing with her art and creativity. 😄

[stevecarter]

5:02 this is where I get stuck on modern life. I find it outrageous how not only is our phone not a tool for us anymore, but that we can't give it up (qr code instead of menu) and the worst, that the younger generations don't know that there was an alternative.

[brookieP-]

I was in tears the other day thinking about how out of control I am with my phone. Completely addicted. Even though I don't have social media, there's always something to take its place. And my eyesight has gotten so bad, I have no idea how to read a map, I check my phone even when I don't want to, and I don't have peace. The hours in the days just fly by. I remember being a kid and not having a cell phone or internet at my house and being bored and finding something creative or productive to do. And I remember getting tired when it got dark and sleeping so deep and always naturally waking up at 7 am. Dumb phone is on the way and I cannot wait to put this stupid smartphone in the darkest drawer and shut it forever. I'm not saying that the phone itself made me depressed, I just don't have the self control to not let it take over every spare minute of my time. I have a baby now that I want to be completely present for. He deserves a mom who lives in the real world, not a phone zombie.

[ryanqvincent]

I so agree about the reduction in anxiety once you 'unhook' from the 'mainstream media'. It also puts you back in control of who can get your attention directly. Your life personal doesn't really change as you are 'contactable'. However, the anxiety level reduction is so worth it. :) Thanks for sharing this. Appreciated.

[mrHello__]

You should try to use the smartphone in the "extreme power saving mode" where only the device apps like contacts, camera etc. work. Because in our digital world it's just very convenient to have a mini PC on you everywhere you go. You just have to turn off the distractions.

[pastiyass]

when i saw that you switched into another dumb phone and not a smartphone it was surprisingly wholesome to me, like, it shows that you really learned from that experience and you didn't go back to your older habits just because you "technically could", it just made me happy

[bourbongeek]

Back in the day, this phone is what we would have referred to as a "feature phone". It has a camera, some simple apps, and can use cellular data. A true "dumb phone" would have only been able to make calls and send SMS messages.