Have you ever caught yourself scrolling through your phone for hours, only to wonder where the time went? It’s a feeling I know all too well, and apparently, I’m not alone. In a world where our devices are designed to keep us hooked, one tech entrepreneur decided to fight back—and turned it into a thriving business.
She created a simple yet clever product: a modern take on the old-school landline that pairs with your smartphone via Bluetooth. People loved it so much that she raked in over $120,000 in sales in just three days. But what’s really interesting isn’t just the business success—it’s the personal journey that inspired it.
This founder, deeply immersed in the tech world, realized she was spending way too much time glued to her screen. So she took drastic steps to cut back, even stepping away from social media almost entirely for five years. Now, she’s sharing the strategies that helped her regain control. And honestly, some of them are so straightforward, you’ll wonder why you haven’t tried them yet.
Breaking Free from the Screen Trap
Let’s face it: smartphones are engineered to be addictive. Endless notifications, colorful apps, and algorithms that know exactly what we crave—it’s no accident that we pick them up dozens of times a day. But recognizing this is the first step toward change. In my experience, understanding the “why” behind our habits makes it easier to tackle them head-on.
The good news? You don’t need to ditch your phone completely to feel more present. Small, intentional tweaks can make a huge difference. Drawing from someone who’s been there, here are practical ways to dial down your screen time without feeling deprived.
Make Your Phone Less Appealing Visually
One of the simplest tricks is to switch your phone’s display to grayscale. Suddenly, those vibrant social feeds and game icons lose their allure. It’s like turning a candy store into a black-and-white photo—still there, but far less tempting.
This isn’t just anecdotal. Many people report that removing color reduces the dopamine hit from scrolling. The founder mentioned using an older phone model with fewer features, combined with black-and-white mode, to keep things low-stimulus. I tried this myself once, and it was surprisingly effective. The phone felt more like a tool than a toy.
If you’re on iOS or Android, it’s easy to toggle this in accessibility settings. Give it a week, and you might notice you’re reaching for your device less often. It’s a subtle shift, but one that adds up over time.
Start Your Day Without the Glow
How many of us grab our phones the second our eyes open? Checking emails, news, or social media first thing sets a reactive tone for the entire day. Instead, try delaying that first glance.
The entrepreneur behind those popular retro phones avoids her device for at least 30 minutes on weekdays—sometimes a full hour on weekends. She uses a traditional alarm clock and focuses on simple rituals like journaling or tending to daily tasks.
“How you start your day kind of sets the tone subconsciously for the rest of the day.”
There’s real wisdom here. By easing into your morning offline, you train your brain to prioritize real-life moments over digital ones. Over time, this can drastically cut down impulsive checks throughout the day. Personally, I’ve found that a phone-free morning leads to sharper focus and less anxiety.
It doesn’t have to be complicated. Brew coffee, stretch, or just sit quietly. Those few minutes compound into hours of reclaimed time.
Dare to Leave It Behind
This one might sound extreme at first: leave your phone at home on purpose. Not for a quick errand, but for chunks of your day. The founder shared how she’d head to the gym, then the store, and keep going—all without her device.
At first, it feels unsettling. What if something important happens? But that’s the point—it forces you to confront how much we rely on constant connectivity. Most days, nothing urgent arises that can’t wait.
Start small. Try it for a walk around the block or a short outing. You’ll likely return feeling refreshed, with a clearer head. In a way, it’s like giving yourself permission to unplug and just be.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect is how liberating it feels. No buzzes, no pings—just you and the world around you. It’s a reminder that life existed (and thrived) long before smartphones.
Question the Urgency
Every time you feel the itch to check your phone, pause and ask: Is this truly urgent? Could it wait until I’m at my computer or in a dedicated moment?
This simple self-interrogation can stop mindless habits in their tracks. The tech founder uses it constantly, whether at home or out. For instance, spotting an email while in line somewhere—she’d consider if replying right then made any real difference.
Often, the answer is no. Messages can wait, updates aren’t life-or-death. Batching responses later saves time and mental energy. It’s about being intentional rather than reactive.
I’ve noticed this mindset shift helps with productivity too. Instead of fragmented attention, you handle digital tasks in focused bursts. It’s a game-changer for anyone feeling overwhelmed by constant demands.
- Is someone in immediate danger?
- Will delaying 15 minutes cause real harm?
- Am I just bored or avoiding something?
These questions reframe the urge, putting you back in control.
Accept That It’s Designed This Way
Here’s where grace comes in. Beating yourself up over high screen time ignores the bigger picture: these devices are built to maximize engagement.
Research shows apps trigger dopamine releases, similar to other addictive behaviors. Algorithms learn your preferences, serving endless tailored content. It’s not entirely about lacking willpower—it’s facing sophisticated design.
The founder, with a background in tech and media studies, emphasizes external barriers over sheer determination. Things like grayscale mode or physical separation counteract those built-in pulls.
“This is not about willpower, but rather about putting external things in place that combat the forces that are already underway.”
Understanding this reduces self-blame. You’re not “weak”—you’re human navigating a system stacked against balance. That perspective alone can motivate lasting change.
Of course, her product—a Bluetooth landline—takes this further. It lets you make calls without touching your smartphone, keeping distractions at bay. While not everyone needs one, the idea highlights creative solutions to modern problems.
Sales exploding in days shows how many crave alternatives. We’re collectively tired of endless scrolling, seeking ways to reconnect with offline life.
Building Lasting Habits
Reducing screen time isn’t a one-off challenge—it’s an ongoing practice. Start with one or two tips that resonate most. Track progress gently, without judgment.
Maybe combine grayscale with delayed mornings. Or practice leaving your phone behind on weekends. Small wins build momentum.
Over months, you might notice better sleep, deeper conversations, or renewed hobbies. That extra mental space opens doors to creativity and presence.
What surprises many is how much richer life feels with boundaries. Less screen time often means more meaningful connections—to others and yourself.
Why It Matters More Than Ever
In our hyper-connected era, reclaiming attention is almost rebellious. But the benefits ripple outward: improved focus, reduced stress, even stronger relationships.
When we’re not distracted, we listen better, think clearer, and enjoy moments fully. It’s not about demonizing technology—it’s about using it on our terms.
The rapid success of retro-inspired phones proves demand exists. People want tools that support balance, not endless engagement.
Ultimately, going “screen-time sober” isn’t deprivation. It’s freedom. Freedom to choose how you spend your hours, without algorithms deciding for you.
If a busy tech founder can carve out this space, so can you. Pick one tip today, experiment, and see what shifts. You might just rediscover parts of life you’ve been missing.
And who knows—maybe that extra time leads to your own breakthrough idea. After all, some of the best innovations come from stepping away from the screen.
