YOUR PHONE IS NOT THE PROBLEM
…Oh wait, yes it is.
Written and Edited by TomiyinsPenn (LITA Project 4)
Have you been experiencing a creative block? Maybe you have all these great ideas, but don’t know how to convert them into the art you know you can make.
Or maybe you’re not even getting ideas at all, your life is a constant mix of work or school or familial responsibilities, so your passion for writing, drawing or any other type of creativity has to take a backseat.
This could all be true.
But you know what else could be the problem?
You’re spending your energy on the wrong things.
Like your phone, for instance.
Yes, that small rectangle of distraction could be the creative kryptonite you didn’t realize you had.
Does this sound familiar? You wake up in the morning, and before your feet even hit the floor, you’re reaching for your phone. You know, just to check something? Your Instagram feed? TikTok for that hilarious cat video you saw yesterday? The next thing you know, an hour has passed, and you’ve been mindlessly scrolling through the same memes for the umpteenth time.
Well you’re not alone in that. According to a study by Deloitte, a whopping 40% of people grab their phones within an hour of waking up. That’s right — before even saying “good morning” to your family or your coffee. This could mean it was that first thing they grabbed after rolling out of bed, or they might have waited a while and done all morning chores before switching it on.
The point is, too many people are becoming slaves to their devices.
And this could be limiting your creativity.
“But there’s so many tools on the internet that i could use to work”
“I need my phone to work”
“My phone adds to my creativity”
Stop with the excuses! It’s easy to point fingers at all the amazing apps and resources out there. But if that’s the case, then why haven’t you made anything in the last two years?
Stop lying to yourself.
Just because you’re busy scrolling through Pinterest for inspiration or watching tutorial videos doesn’t mean you’re actually creating. It’s like going to the gym and spending all your time taking selfies instead of working out. You feel productive, but your muscles are still hiding under a layer of procrastination.
Sure, your phone has apps for everything from drawing to writing to video editing, but if you’re not using those tools to create, they’re just distractions. You might tell yourself you’re “researching,” but in reality, you aren’t. You’re just getting caught in a rabbit hole of things to obsess over and distract yourself.
In Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon, he emphasizes the importance of being aware of your surroundings and influences. If you’re constantly bombarded with endless notifications and scrolling feeds, how can you ever find the headspace to actually create? The truth is that while your phone can be a treasure trove of inspiration, it can also drown you in a sea of distractions.
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Alright, enough of the doom and gloom about your phone being a creativity killer. Let’s dive into some practical tips to help you break free from those digital chains and start creating:
SET CLEAR BOUNDARIES
First things first, boundaries. Set specific times for phone use, like checking emails or social media. Be realistic. Don’t tell yourself you’ll drop from 8 hour use to 2 hour use in one day. Make sure you have enough time for fun and relaxation, but simultaneously not spending the whole day scrolling away. Then, put it on DND (do not disturb) and dedicate yourself to your craft. Imagine how much you could accomplish if you focused without any notifications buzzing at you every few minutes!
CREATE A DISTRACTION -FREE ZONE
Embrace analogue tools. Use your hands. Austin Kleon mentions how it wasn’t until he started bringing analogue tools back into his creative process that making things became fun for him again. According to him, using a pen and paper instead of a tablet or laptop makes you feel more connected and engaged. This is not to say you need to completely abandon your digital tools, but stay away from them during the idea generation process, so they don’t distract you or stop your train of thought.
Use Your Phone Wisely
Like I said earlier, we can’t totally ditch our phones. I’m not telling you to go throw it into the ocean (unless of course, you really want to) because they can be helpful after all! Just make sure you’re using them to enhance your creativity, not hinder it. Download apps that support your creative process — like writing apps, sketching tools, or even guided meditation apps to help you get in the zone. Focus on using your phone as a tool, not a crutch.
Understand that it will take time.
Don’t expect overnight success. Expecting instant results can be one of the biggest creativity killers of all. Be patient with yourself and Allow space for mistakes, missteps, and moments of doubt.
The more you practice, the more your skills will grow.
Remember, creativity is a journey, not a race. It takes time, practice, and a dash of patience. So, give yourself the grace to grow, and watch as your creativity flourishes in ways you never imagined.
So is my phone really the problem?
In the end, is your phone really the problem? Yes, but only if you let it be.
Depending on what you choose to do, it can be a major distraction that stifles your creativity, but it can also be a helpful tool that can inspire and enhance your work.
So set boundaries and use your phone purposefully, and watch just how quickly you can turn it from a creativity killer into a source of inspiration.
Feeling motivated? Then it’s time to do the work, and let your creativity soar.
You’ve got this!
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Do you find yourself spending more time online than offline? What tips have been helpful in stopping that? Let me know in the comments!
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Thank you so much for reading, Till next time!
