The invention of the phone marked a seismic shift in the way we relate to content. In general, we want things quickly, instantly, and without interruption. And in large part, we get exactly what we want. Our news apps are updated with an abundance of new content every single hour and breaking stories even have live text updates. We are living in an age of pain-free convenience.
This type of lifestyle is great for some but not for all. In fact, it can often have negative consequences for our mental health and the way we interact with others. In recent years, I’ve tried to push against it with active decisions to pursue a different way. This has included turning off notifications on my phone, deleting social media apps, and having dedicated times of the day when I engage with my phone. I’m far from perfect but I’m pleased with the results so far.
One of the apps that has helped me compartmentalize my day more effectively is the Pocket app. How does this help? I’ll often set aside ten or fifteen minutes to read some online articles but that doesn’t give me enough time to read everything I want in that sitting. Pocket enables me to save these articles for later so I can read them when I’m ready.
