In January, I had a goal of reading each night, even if it was just for a few minutes. It worked beautifully, and I finished 2 books. In February, I never defined my goal but had a nebulous idea about decreasing online time.
. . . I know.
I kept trying to define specific limits, but could never decide on anything. Then I tried to create rules for myself, but the rules became complicated — leading me to find too many loopholes, and finally I just abandoned them altogether. So, February was a fail. (Of note, it was a double fail, because I sort of forgot about the whole reading thing and I’m still not finished with Flow. But I’m almost there and going to flip back to fiction!! SO ready!).
Anyway, this month I am going to use the Moment app to curtail iPhone screen time. I appreciate the ironic silliness inherent in an iPhone app that helps keep you off of your iPhone, but . . . I need it. I like the concrete simplicity of it. And so far it’s actually working!
Basically, the app tallies up minutes spent on the phone with an open screen. It does require GPS enabling, which has caused many reviewers to complain, but thus far it has not been a big battery drain for me, and the app developers swear they do not take your location data (I’ll just have to trust them).
It seems to be relatively accurate, and by just turning the screen off you can prevent it from counting minutes spent on screenless pursuits like podcasts/run tracking/playing music, so it really just gets at actual screen time. My goal is to spend under 60 minutes/day, and maybe someday I’ll really go for the goal and try to beat 30.
Other goings-on (in summary/list form):
* Cameron is 1!! (We celebrated again this weekend, with family). He is not yet walking; however he cruises like a champ and is freakishly fast at crawling. He is sooooo into everything. And sooooo happy.
* I am still barre obsessed. I am currently doing ~4 runs/week (short, 3-5 mi each) and ~3 barre classes/week (1-2 online and 1-2 live at flybarre).
* Annabel is fully potty trained — it was actually a sort of gradual process and that seemed to work for her. But now we actually venture out without a pull-up at times — incredible! I might be able to go 2 weeks between diapers.com orders! (note: Not at night. I have a feeling this might take a long time, and I’m not pushing it.)
* Work is busy. I have so many projects on the backburner right now (because so much time is spent doing clinical things and there is just not a lot of lull time to work on those things). In truth, if I didn’t have children I’m sure I would have more time for those extras. BUT I also think that being a parent gives me a really important perspective as someone working in a pediatric field. Interestingly, new patients almost always ask if I have children, and I often see them visibly perk up when I tell them I have 2. So — there’s that. In 18 years or so, maybe I will feel caught up and be SUPER productive 🙂
6 Comments
I’ve been using the Moment app since you mentioned it in your previous post. What an eye opener that has been! One day I picked up my phone 23 times! Most of that was probably just mindlessly checking it. Ugh!
I just downloaded the app and want to use it to track the time,I so mindlessly spend on the iPhone. Isn’t potty training success the best! My son is completely daytime potty trained. For nights we are still using pull-ups but boy does it feel nice to be diaper free! That feeling won’t last long since our little miss will make her entry in few short weeks 🙂
I recommend reading Neil Gaiman’s Trigger Warning next. It’s a collection of short stories, so it’s easy to pick up and put down. I really liked his American Gods but haven’t got into Gaiman much since, but I’m rather enjoying Trigger Warning.
Our pediatrician mentioned at the first visit that she had 6 (grown) kids — for precisely the reason you mention. It immediately put me at ease (she is also incredibly chill, as you can imagine one would be in that case!)
Congrats on the potty training. The transition is tough (we visited some rather fun public restrooms — including one in a McDonald’s next to the Holland Tunnel when we were stuck in the line-up to get in the tunnel) but then it’s great!
Yay on potty training! definitely don’t sweat the nighttime, B just was not ready until 4 and a half, and then he just decided he wanted to wear underwear at night and that was it. good luck on the screen time, I’ve given up—maybe I’ll start back up again in the spring.
I can’t imagine, kids or no kids, that you’d have too much time to do side projects with your clinical load. I guess if you didn’t have kids you’d work on them after hours.
I’m intrigued by barre, but still too obsessed with GRIT to try anything new. maybe when this gets old I’ll check it out. there are a couple of studios in town. I’m not sure i could really commit and work hard with an on line workout.
That is the same thing that I have been trying to tell every person that has been failed in their lives. You should be having a goal to achieve in your life so this how you may able to be successful in your life.