The No Screen Challenge

1/30

Finally got it last night!

 

Added exception 5.

 

Didn't strictly adhere to the challenge last night, but my offending time was very minimal: only about 30 seconds, so I think it's a good start. Am going to try and have 0 offending seconds tonight though.

 

Nice! 30 seconds is way less than I would be spending before I started this challenge. If it's the same for you, then that's a kind of success. And it's awesome that you're aiming even higher. Keep it up!

 

2/30.

Though I kind of used a loophole in the wording of my rule last night. My rule is:

No screens after 6 p.m. unless:

1. it's to meet a next-day deadline that was set by someone else or that I set before 6 p.m.,
2. it's for a legitimate, in-person social purpose, such as watching a show or movie that my friend or wife suggested we watch,
3. it's video chatting with a close friend or relative,
4. it's looking up directions in Google Maps, or
5. it's using Instacart to order groceries or track a grocery delivery.

The problem with this rule is that, technically speaking, once screen access is allowed by one of the conditions 1-5, there are no constraints on what I can use screens for. So last night I had to work a bit late to meet a next-day deadline. Fine and good. But then the "no screens" requirement was negated and, I reasoned, I can also watch YouTube. So I need to revise the rule again:

No screens after 6 p.m. unless:

1. it's to meet a next-day deadline that was set by someone else or that I set before 6 p.m.,
2. it's for a legitimate, in-person social purpose, such as watching a show or movie that my friend or wife suggested we watch,
3. it's video chatting with a close friend or relative,
4. it's looking up directions in Google Maps, or
5. it's using Instacart to order groceries or track a grocery delivery.

If I use a screen after 6 p.m. for any of the above purposes, then I can use screens only to advance these purposes. I may not open tabs, windows, or apps that do not contribute to the purpose for which I'm using the screen. For example, if I'm working to meet a deadline, every tab, window, or app I open must help me meet this deadline.

 

Four days of no screens in the (late) evening. Sleep is getting better.

 

3/30

Yesterday's rule change seemed to work! I had to work after 6 p.m. and only used my screen for work. This meant that I was more productive than I otherwise would have been and that once I was finished with work I started winding down and getting ready for bed instead of lingering on the internet. I got work done and went to bed early. I can't remember the last time I did that...

 

Well done, keep going like that!

 

Thanks dude!

 

Damn. That's impressive. Good job!

 

4/30.

I gotta check out Trello.

 

I'm in for the challenge. 11 PM
Day 0

 

Still impressive! I'd like to be able to do that many pull-ups in a week!

 

Accidentally looked at an email app after 6 p.m. last night. 0/30.

I will say that, even though I keep breaking my streak, I still feel really good about this challenge. When I do look at a screen for one of the wrong reasons after 6 p.m., it's usually very brief. I don't feel like I'm getting sidetracked or kept up late or compulsively going down rabbit holes.

 

I started it today.. and failed on first day itself..
It's ok, will start again
Day 0

 

Back to 0/30.