Downgrading: What I've Learned From Having a Flip Phone for 5 Months

Convenience reaches a point it hurts the soul and integrity of humanity.

Truth be told, it took me a lot longer than I would like to admit, to realize that smartphones and modern conveniences have basically just... destroyed me entirely. My attention span is completely shot, my mental health is worse than ever, and my sleep schedule is, honestly, just as bad because phones are too easy to be distracted by (and it's equally my fault too, I have basically no self restraint in this regard.) It's really cool to see that a lot of people also feel the same way. I miss just having a boat load of free time to where I can just sit down and read a book, or play a PS2 game again instead of constantly being distracted by social media all the time

I'm an old man who went from flip, which I loved, to smartphone because of my physical condition. I can no longer go to the library so I read books on it. I take many meds and have to research each because of being reactive. Almost died once. Library research again must be done from my home. I could go on but you get the idea. Would go back to my flip in a moment if I could. But having lived the majority of my life with no cell phone I applaud your decision because you are living in the moment again.

I absolutely love the video. As a fellow 2002 young adult I also felt that social media was stealing life away from me, that constant numb feeling that was corroding my soul. I did purge all social media from my smart phone and now I'm happier than ever, my friends and family gave me the weird look at first but they are happier now that I'm being more present and thoughtfull with them. Now with time to fill i have started to journal and picked up embroidery and reading as hobbies again. You inspire me to get myself a flip phone for further dissociation with social media, and also to buy myself a camara to take mindfull pictures of the beautiful world we live in.

Being an older millennial (37yrs) it is cool seeing gen z being a big driver in downgrading. I too switched to a dumbphone (a more purposed built one with calendar but otherwise dumb ~ the light phone) it makes a huge difference. I WFH doing data so my challenge is to cut down on my at home screen time (iPad). Overall well worth it and have had many positive conversations with people spurred by the phone

And they say the younger generation are idiots 🤦‍♂️ I love this revolution. You cannot stifle humanity, it always comes back screaming. Glad to hear it's really helping you. i used to read, write, film and create art all the time as a kid and into my early 20's. That quickly stopped and I just became a pure dopamine addict. It sucks, I miss it and it's a part of myself I'm trying to find again. I've been going back and fourth on whether to get a feature phone (it's not a dumb phone, that would technically by a landline phone with no speed dail settings). After spending almost 3 hours researching the topic, I then realised I DEFINITELY need to stop using my "Smart" phone. Plus I'm a dad, so it justifies getting a phone belt clip. Nothing BUT features IMO. Thanks for your video dude. You're bright and you're also proof that we're heading in the right direction.

i got my first ‘dumbphone’ in 2020 but really committed at the end of last year when i got the nokia 2780 and it was such amazing experience and the few times i briefly switched back, i learned how incredibly overstimulating it was and quickly hated it. you really notice how much other people are always on their phones missing out on the little things that accumulate to big things. i love the things i’ve learned about myself too in the many more moments i have to myself

After many years, i was coerced by friends in to getting social media after avoiding it for years. Since then my attention span has been close to destroyed, and for most of my day i have something playing in my ear. A year or two ago i thought about getting a flip phone. My family called me ridiculous, and just said it'd be a hassle. I made a big mistake listening to them. My breaking point for this decision was that I realized that I felt unnatural without an earbud in. I just felt off, and when I put it in I felt a sense of relief and a dopamine increase. I feel sick realizing that I'm wasting a heavy amount of my life and childhood (16 y/o btw), and I can't wait to get a flip phone as soon as I can.

Glad to see more people unplugging and taking charge of their lives again. Had my flip for several years now and life has been so much easier. On a side note, learn to read a map and use a compass. Its a lifetime skill I think everyone should learn.

Ugh born the same year and I know exactly how you feel. Like I feel like a zombie idk I’m not creative I’m just lifeless and unproductive. I’m honestly buying a flipphone next month. Great video <3

you are so sweet. I really enjoyed hearing about your experience straying away from smartphones. I have been wanting to detach myself from the intangible world of instagram. I've realized that spending so much time watch other people do things online has replaced my own desire to make art, learn an instrument, go outside.

Great digital detox! I'm a Japanese essayist. It's called Mikan Oshidari（忍足みかん🍊♥）. I switched to a flip phone because of my smartphone addiction. I turned that experience into a book called ``I Want to Quit Being a Slave to My Smartphone.'' I like flip phones. Best of all, it's good for your mental health.

I’m a 1992 baby, and I knew years ago I was addicted to my smartphone. Sadly, needing it for work it was impossible to get rid of, and I don’t have the discipline to “manage” use on my own. This video was recommended to me as I started looking up “dumb” phones… and I think I’m going to attempt it now!

Im honestly planning on going back to an old flip phone too. I was born in 1997, so Im fortunate enough to have my entire childhood smartphone and social media-free. Iphones and tablets did take off around 2012, so I wouldve been a teenager. Didnt get my first smartphone until I was around 18. My mom didnt want me having one during my teen years, and honestly, I'm glad she never got me one.

Hell yea. I just ordered a flip phone and I’m excited to have one again. I had a flip phone in high school, it was the best. I could get in contact with anyone i needed, but i had absolutely zero distraction from real life. No google, no social media, no streaming, just raw living. I’m pumped to get back to that feeing. It took me an annoyingly long time to realize how much smart phones were draining the joy from my life, but my eyes are wide open now. Better late than never.

I really like your way of filming, talking pace, and your mind. Thanks!

The phone closing sound is SO SATISFYING!

You are super cool. I'm 44, and you're inspiring me. Thank you for seeking authenticity and sharing that with us.

I never comment but wow… first off great video i love the feel of it! but dude i’m legit doing the same thing lmaoo, i got the same exact flip phone, i’ve been definitely having thise inconveniences, I read the local newspaper, i got a small portable camera, and even bought an ‘80s “walkman” cassette player to play music. I absolutely love it! it’s been so fulfilling, inspiring, and enjoyable to disconnect from an alternate world back into the real one. Good luck bro, can’t wait to see more of your content and damn i gotta find friends like you who want similar things!

As someone born in 2005, not too far from you, my experience in childhood seems to have been pretty different. I don't really remember a time before everyone in my life had a smartphone. Most of my friends had them in primary school. Ordered a flip phone 2 days ago, waiting on it arriving and I'll see how it goes for me