A good playlist is the best antidote to the constant urge to spend and scroll

An argument for quitting streaming services

When I was an angsty, emotion-filled teen nothing quite spoke to me like curling up in bed with my iPod in the dark.

I've never had this same experience with my iPhone, and I think it's because I can never have just one experience with my iPhone. There's always notifications and things to Google and scroll through.

But my iPod could create worlds inside its teeny tiny purple metal body.

It, combined with the mighty powers of my wired headphones, could transport me away from the horrors that were my life.

Think of the best road trip you’ve ever been on. I’ll bet there was music playing… and I’ll bet it was music that instantly takes you back to the memory of that road trip.

I know, I know. The power of music and memory isn’t a new thing, we all know about it.

But I can’t shake the feeling that our modern life, that is so heavily dependant on algorithmic streaming services that are giving in more and more to AI generated music an an industry that’s already so tough on real artists… is taking away the refuge that is music.

And as humans, we need a good ol’ refuge or two to withstand the insanity that is our world.

And thus we so often turn to spending and scrolling, even though the dopamine we get from those vices is cheap and nasty (no matter how much money you spend). And the after-effects are like a bad hangover - we just feel crummy, tired, guilty, regretful. We’re also left wondering where time went, and why we never engage with the hobbies we say we have and enjoy.

I recently switched to a dumb phone and by extension, went back to my old iPod. I’m going to need to switch to a different mp3 player at some point just for the sake of storage, but nonetheless even with limited storage the experience has been far superior to any I ever had on my iPhone.

Everything I do now I do with intention. Sure, I need a seperate camera, mp3 player, notebook etc. It’s a lot more ‘stuff’ in the eyes of some, but each item brings with it so much more depth than simply using my iPhone for ‘all the things’.

I look at the world differently now that I’m using a proper camera again to take photos. I see more beauty and art around me even in the most mundane of moments.

I appreciate and listen to music more now that I’m doing that on a dedicated device, because when I do that it’s the only thing I’m doing. I’m not getting pulled out of it by ‘accidentally’ opening a notification and ending up scrolling (how many times have I done that in the past…).

I’m finding I’m having more late night inspiration and I have more things to write down now that I’m actually, ya know, writing things down.

I’m even checking my emails more intentionally and am, surprisingly, more aware of and connected to what’s going on in my inbox even though I don’t have notifications on anymore!

I was scared I’d miss things, switching most of my internet related activities over to my desktop computer (not even a laptop, a desktop). I was scared I’d miss important emails or WhatsApp messages or Facebook messages.

Occasionally I don’t see Facebook messages as soon as I’d like to, but nothing else has been affected! I check my emails a few times a day and actually check them. I look through them, I can see everything better, I’m aware if there’s an email sitting there that I need to revisit.

It’s only been just under 4 weeks… but my life is so much richer. Sure, sometimes it’s a little uncomfortable as well. Sitting at a table with people when they start going on their phones is a weird feeling because I just end up sitting there watching them, or watching other people around me, but I’m still finding that’s preferable to being sucked into my iPhone. I’m learning more about people. I’m learning more about myself and the things that make me uncomfortable and why (a seriously valuable and often underestimated lesson).

OH OH and I’m reading more, and playing my Nintendo switch more! I’m looking for things to do when I have downtime and the possibilities are endless… did you know!?

There are so many things you can do in the world!!!!!! So many hobbies, so many creative pursuits, so much good music and generally so many things that make me feel truly good as opposed to the cheap dopamine pings that I thought were what good feels like.

Seriously, quit your streaming service. Better yet, quit your smart phone.

I know it sounds dramatic and probably almost prohibitively difficult but I promise it isn’t. It just feels that way because it’s new and weird and different.

I have a YouTube video coming out in the next week on how to switch to a dumb phone if you need some guidance, I might also make that a post here.

But at the very least, switch to an mp3 player. There’s a tonne of amazing videos on YouTube like this one that’ll help guide you through the process and give you all the amazing options that 2026 has on offer.

I promise, you’ll feel better once you’ve got a little bit of your brain back.

Recommendation of the week!

I usually post a weekly spending recap every week, but I’m ‘on break’ this week due to family visiting… but I wanted to still get a recommendation in because I don’t think we recommendations from real people enough.

We watched Project Hail Mary this past week and while it wasn’t what I expected, it was actually really good! I didn’t think I’d enjoy it as much as I did.

I won’t spoil anything for you, but it was delightfully unserious in the face of something so serious.

Have you read/listened to/watched anything good lately?

Leave a recommendation in the comments… or just a regular old comment!

Have you considered quitting streaming services or moving to a dumb phone?

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