alt Hacker News> I think the important part is leaving your phone and other devices home.
The annoying part is that this becomes increasingly difficult to impossible. For example, I can't use public transport without my phone anymore, because my ticket is bound to my phone and the provider does not issue paper tickets or smartcards anymore.
Less severe but equally frustrating, many restaurants choose to use QR codes for menus rather than printing them onto a sheet of paper or writing them to the wall.
I love leaving my phone behind, primarily because I am in the "we're entertaining ourselves to death" crowd considering I essentially grew up with mobile phones already. But our environment is increasingly build on the assumption that we carry a smartphone with us at any given time.
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> our environment is increasingly build on the assumption that we carry a smartphone with us at any given time.
This is so true! Surprised how many commenters are saying "just have self control" etc - a phone is close to essential for a lot of services in a city.
I'd be super interested in tips people have to avoid the psychological impact phones have when they do have to take them with them. A lot of phones have "relax" or "do not disturb" modes - curious if that actually works for anyone?
I've avoided the restaurant-QR-code deal so far. They don't have a menu I can read? I walk out.
Get two phones. One for carrying around, lock it down 100% with parental controls against all distractions. The other one unlocked.
Parental controls are underrated.
It's just a matter of developing some self control. Be conscious about when you really need your phone (using it to pay or as your ticket) vs using is to pass time (doom scrolling X or HN)
If QR codes for menus just ask at the counter.
Ours do the same but I just ask and are normally happy to talk. Personally I think the staff enjoy it as they get a few minutes of talk time rather than rush rush next order.
I fairly often go out with just my Garmin watch and an ereader (Boox 6”, which is just about pocketable).
I can sync music to it and use it for contactless payments, which is just about enough.
It’s possible to do a bit more but it’s more basic than an Apple Watch as a smartphone alternative (but much better for everything I want it for), and as I mostly use it for sports tracking and being phoneless, I haven’t set any other apps up.
Surely you can turn your phone off when you get to the cafe, and leave it off for half an hour?
It's important to challenge that assumption.
You don't have to leave your phone at home to be free of distractions. You can restrict your phone instead. I'm just a happy user, see techlockdown.com.
Their marketing is geared towards the p*rnography addiction crowd but from my own experience, it works equally well for those easily distracted by screens (I have ADHD).
I can't open the exterior doors of my apartment without an app (despite having an option for RFID dongles. they heavily advise against it)
At least I need my apple watch with cellular enabled so I can dial myself in.
I don't see any reason you need to continue using your phone once boarded. But yes parting the home without is impractical.
with a modicum of self control, you can turn off your phone when it's not needed.
Right, the real test is knowing your device is tucked in the pocket and completely ignoring it. At first it might be hard, but completely doable. Before I start my drive I put my non-peered-to-vehicle phone in my pocket, and it ceases to exist while I drive. Similarly it can be done in any other situation; in this case, a coffee shop.
There is no need to leave it behind, just having the right usage control over it would suffice.