Why I Switched to a Dumb Phone and iPod (I won't be going back)

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Discover the transformative journey of transitioning from a smartphone to a dumb phone for the sake of mental health and more. In this video, I share valuable resources and insights to help you explore this alternative option.

Resources Mentioned in the Video (plus more!):

[Disclaimer: I am not sponsored by any companies mentioned. The links provided are solely for your research.]

Dumb Phone-related:
- Videos:
- Products and Services:

iPod-related:
- Buying iPods and parts:
-- Don't forget to check local second-hand stores for iPods too!
- Videos:
- Support resources:

Buying Music:
- Platforms and support:
-- Also, check local second-hand stores for CDs!
- Videos:

Tags (for search optimization): #dumbphone #ipod #rejectconvenience

[certnzone]

I love the incredibly healthy take of, "These aren't inherently evil". You make very valid points about how moderation might be enough instead of going all in on removing the smartphone from your life

[oghllvp]

Just a little warning: I deleted my social media about 5 years ago and reduced the amount of time I spent on my phone. I think it's ultimately a good thing, however I am very depressed because no-one has/does reach out to me for a long periods of time. You literally cease to exist in many people's minds.

[butwhytho]

Somehow, this feels like the best, most logical, and “unjudgy” video I’ve ever seen on YouTube lol.
No crazy intros, no scene transitions, no hype or chill music… This is so rare. I loved this. Ty.

[AiRbaL]

I actually have been doing this with film cameras and CDs. I was into them two years back but I been feeling the need to go analog again and it makes me appreciate the moment of time in a special kind of way. The feeling of having physical media that feels, looks, and sounds better just hits different for me.

[harriehausenman]

*Reject Convenience*
These words just keep ringing in my head (in a positive way). Might become the mantra for the year.

[benhofyt]

I've been noticing so many small things (listening to the radio in my car instead of a playlist, collecting records, using a physical camera, writing on paper, etc) that make me feel so much better than using a phone but it wasn't until this video that it finally clicked for me - I'm recharging my old ipod as im writing this and i think i may just join the dumbphone movement! thank you for sharing this, it's definitely helped me and by the looks of it a lot of other commenters as well!

[Tytheband]

Great video. After 12 years of smart phones and being an early adopter of the original iPhone the day it came out, I went to a regular flip phone for one year in 2020. It was awesome. I offloaded calendars, tasks and all work apps to a simple notebook that has a handwritten calendar, and bullet journal for tasks and notes/inspiration for writing songs.

Moving all my productivity apps to a notebook helped me get out of $40k in debt, make more money in my web design biz, and record an album. I went back to an iPhone a year later but I don’t know why, and hardly use the apps on it other than maps, YouTube and other non-essential things. I’m about to go back to the flip for good this month.

I highly recommend this if you feel like you are wasting away your life, or even if you want to put your smart phone in a drawer and try a fun experiment for a few months.

[michelleadams]

I grew up in the 90s without a cell phone. Makes me sad that I can't go to concerts anymore without people being on their phones, not enjoying the moment. I have no social media, professionally its such a bad idea. My last phone i bought was 4 years ago. I have no interest in getting the latest. It's a bit juvenile. 😂 great video! Thought provoking. I'm concerned about the radiation overall though.

[NOVAScOoT]

When I was in a mental hospital the reason they gave me for not allowing phones was patient privacy. Its very easy to record something someone isnt okay with or knows about you recording in that type of environment with a smartphone, even accidentally, and doing so is punishable by a fine of up to $50, 000 and 1 year in prison. Even if you don't record anything yourself there's a chance anyone you contact could, or anything you say about your experience to someone involving someone else could be considered disclosure of private health information.

[polishtimmy]

I did a simmilar thing with a smartwatch, I could still make phone calls, listen to music, respond to text messages and even play games, but I wasn't doing those things as much as without the watch. I basically went from playing games on every class in school, to being myself and actually listening to the teachers, which was a great feeling.

[zumuvtuber]

I've been considering this for quite a while too. 
On a side note, I think there might be a correlation between phones becoming more addicting and phones becoming bigger each year, both influencing each other. More addiction leads to consumers wanting bigger and better screens and bigger batteries. Bigger screens and bigger batteries lead to more addiction.

[luciolencer-dobc]

I've missed very chill, creative and informative videos like this, you should do more!

[maggieafr]

I have thought of switching to a dumb phone. I was a young adult in the 90s and many things were different. I could argue with someone and not feel insulted/betrayed, I could just stare into space for minutes, and so on. Thank you for your input and insight into this, I am giving serious thought to switching!

[MrHealingartist]

My utilitarian approach to social media: people move, numbers change, and friendships are priceless to me. I only spend a couple of minutes responding to messages about plans for getting together to catch up or to quickly scroll if there is trending news I might miss elsewhere, or maybe something humorous brightens my day. That dosage has felt just right and I would encourage people to not suck hours into social media. If there is one thing I might need to do less of, it might be the need to shut myself off of current events, because the world can be depressing sometimes.

I'm glad you found something good for yourself.

I appreciate you doing this video to raise awareness on the impact of smart devices on mental and social health. Too much of just about anything tends to become a bad thing. Excess is a threat.

[FPVboxer-Ben]

Thank you for sharing about your mental health recovery journey, this hits home for me.

[no-lifenoah]

I rediscovered my old MP3 player a while back and I've gotta say, having to go and tag my songs with MP3Tag manually makes me appreciate the art a lot more.

[ethangroat]

Well-considered and just totally right. I appreciate your immense respect for your audience as well as sharing your thoughts. I've long felt similarly about smartphones, especially since only two major companies make all the smartphone operating systems, making personal choice in things like how to organize, present, or block notifications rather limited, not to mention user interfaces being unintuitive for users like me who like having maximum control on open source PCs haha!

[ConnorFishcat]

This is honestly something I've been considering. Ultimately you gave me good alternatives to my biggest concerns; namely music, navigation, and 2FA. I feel I'm already at a good spot with my screen addiction but it wouldn't hurt to go further! The bits about "experiencing the moment" really interested me.

[toddgreyson]

I got a Light II a couple weeks ago, and I love it. I feel more free and creative. It works.

[joshuacrumley]

This video is criminally underrated. It's also the first video I've ever seen from you. That makes me believe you are a criminally underrated content creator.