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Reclaiming Hours by Rerouting Instant Gratification through Meaningful Apps
How Swapping Apps Can Drive Personal Growth.
In the era of ever-present screens and digital connections, it's easy to lose hours in what seems like minutes. Don’t worry, I’m not sending you on a digital detox.
Today, I'm sharing a transformative change that helped me reclaim 4-5 hours a day. I've also curated a list at the end of this email featuring 14 apps/activities that will turn your screen time into a positive and productive experience.
In contrast to past newsletters, where we added systems to give you back time, this time, we're kicking off by subtracting a few.
The Social Media Conundrum
Until recently, my phone was a playground of social media apps. Whether Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, or Instagram, these platforms offered instant gratification, filling in moments of boredom or offering a chance to 'learn' something new. Each time I pulled out my phone, I fell into an endless cycle of scrolling, reacting, and bookmarking ‘wisdom’ I didn’t want to forget.
That changed when I made a radical choice - I deleted all social media apps off my phone (except for Meta's new Threads app, my go-to for jotting down instant reactions to tech developments. You can join my conversations here).
What did deleting these apps lead to?
Many moments of aimless phone-gazing, yes.
But, more importantly, it led to a more meaningful redirection of attention toward activities that genuinely interested me.
Now, stay with me. Notice I said I eleted them off of my phone. Don’t delete your accounts just yet. This is not a social media detox. More on this below.
The WHOOP Experiment
Parallel to my mobile app purge, I embarked on another journey – prioritizing physical health.
I wanted to tone up, experience more energy, and invest more time doing what I loved. Enter WHOOP, my fitness partner in this journey. (Not sponsored by the way).
The urge for instant gratification that was previously quenched by social media was now finding satisfaction in a healthier space. I found myself eagerly checking the WHOOP app throughout the day, not for mindless scrolling but to get meaningful insights about my health and fitness.
Was my Strain target met for the day?
How was my recovery looking?
What factors led to a low recovery score?
When should I go to bed for optimal performance tomorrow?
These became the questions driving my actions each day.
And the real-time feedback was addictive! If my Strain target wasn't met, off I went for a run with Ecko (my 4-year-old Heeler-Shepherd Mix)
This constant feedback loop allowed me to make health-conscious decisions that were both rewarding and satisfying.
This shift in where I sought instant gratification meant the time once lost to social media is now invested in nurturing my physical health. It was a radical, personal transformation that changed not just how I felt but how I lived each day.
Re-framing Instant Gratification
This deliberate switch from time-eating activities to beneficial ones significantly boosted my productivity.
For example, my Momentum newsletter, which used to consume my entire Sunday, is now a focused endeavor that takes about 3 hours.
My energy levels are more balanced, and I find time to ideate throughout the week. For this newsletter, I even had spare time to indulge in golf, visit my parents, cook meals, and work on house projects.
Does this mean you should delete all social media?
Not at all.
I still engage with my audience, reply to comments, and initiate discussions on these platforms, but I do so intentionally on my computer, not throughout the day on my phone. An excellent example of this in action is the Engagement Phase I previously discussed in my newsletter about my Triple-E Productivity system.
If complete removal feels too drastic, consider apps like AppBlock (iOS | Android) that allow you to set time and location-based access to your social media apps.
Breaking free from the addictive cycle of social media isn't about sheer willpower alone.
The key lies in finding replacements that still satisfy your need for instant gratification.
6 Alternative Gratification Categories
Fitness Apps: Apps can make tracking your health progress satisfying. Remember you lose ounces in the gym and pounds in the kitchen
For Exercise: Apple Fitness | Google Fit
Overall: WHOOP (iOS | Android)
E-Reading: Kindle or Audible can offer meaningful knowledge absorption when you’re itching to kill some time.
Meditation: Headspace is my go to during sunrise or sunset when I like to take a step back.
Journaling: I use it as a brain dump that keeps me tuned to my goals and productivity.
Podcasts: My favorite podcasts that feed my desire to continue learning:
Online Courses: Scrimba has been my daily homework to improve my coding skills.
Language Learning: Duolingo offers quick lessons to learn a new language.
Choose what resonates with you, experiment with them, and start reshaping your habits.
Remember, it's not about reducing screen time; it's about choosing meaningful engagements over mindless scrolling.
Share this Momentum if you found it helpful.
Reply to let me know what apps you deleted and what you’re planning on rewiring your instant gratification to.
Have you ever tried to remove a social media app from your phone? What were the effects? |