3 reasons why turning off your phone will make you more creative

Have you ever noticed how whenever you’re waiting or bored, you automatically take out your phone?

We’re probably all guilty of checking social media and/or playing games on our phones way too much. I know I am.

Being on your phone is great to pass the time. It gives you the impression of being occupied. And most of all, it’s just so easy! But unfortunately, it’s not a good way to become more creative.

Personally, I’ve noticed how I started relying on my phone more and more over the past couple of years. I stopped having a book in my bag at all times, stopped planning ahead for what I would do on a train, and so on. After all, I’ll have Instagram to keep me company, right?

At the beginning of last year when I had just started my journey as an entrepreneur and freelancer, I switched service providers for my phone. Building your company doesn’t pay at first, and I needed a cheaper deal. The only problem was: the service I have now is so bad that my phone requires WiFi to access the internet.

So why am I telling you that? Well, because it meant that when I was going somewhere, I couldn’t rely on social media to keep me occupied anymore. And thus, my obsession with books returned. Suddenly, I started feeling much more creative!

Right from the start, I started noticing how much better I felt when I spent less time on my phone and more time reading a book. Don’t get me wrong, I still check social media. But not being able to do so everywhere I go has boosted my creativity and productivity in so many ways!

Choose to spend your time purposely to boost creativity

Who hasn’t spent hours on Pinterest, looking for motivation that never came? Who hasn’t half-heartedly scrolled through Instagram or 9GAG whilst waiting for the bus? None of this will help you become a creative person.

The truth is that we often take out our phone to kill time. But why would we want to do that when we already have so little time to spend? Is there really no way to make these moments of waiting or boredom more productive?

I do believe there is. For instance, I notice a drastic difference when I read during a journey rather than looking at my phone. Not only am I in a far better mood when I arrive at my destination, but I also feel energized and full of ideas. Reading is an instant boost for my creativity.

Spending a journey productively means that you’re not wasting your valuable time, and that you minimise periods of your day that have no purpose at all.

You get so much more done when you spend your time mindfully. Instead of mechanically scrolling through your phone, you could get some work done, think about your next project, call your grandma, learn a new skill or a language…

Unless being on your phone truly makes you happy or adds value to your life, just leave it in your bag more often.

Activities with added value make you more creative and productive

Life is not about taking the easy way out. I get that you’re drawn to your phone whenever you’re bored because it’s next best thing. But does it really add value to your life?

For me, time spent on my phone is mostly passive. Unless I reply to emails, I just find myself bombarded with information I never asked for, and end up feeling tired and overwhelmed. This isn’t helping me be more productive in any way.

On the contrary, whenever I force myself to take out a book or listen to an online course, the things I hear or read become fuel for thoughts. Sometimes, they inspire me to write, try out a new project, work on my personality, or simply reflect on my previous choices. Whatever it is, it makes me take action, be more creative. Even if it’s just in my head.

Being active makes you more creative and productive overall, while being passive basically just puts your brain to sleep.

So the next time you’re bored or lack inspiration, don’t turn to your phone. Instead, decide to learn something new. I assure you that this simple shift will make the biggest difference in your mood and increase your motivation!

And when you do turn on your phone, do it mindfully. Because if you purposely decide that you need 15 minutes to relax and watch a YouTube video, there really is nothing wrong with it.

Spending less time on your phone is good for your health

Time management aside, spending less time on your phone has several benefits for your health.

Maybe it’s just me, but whenever I spend too much time staring at a screen, my eyes get super tired and I often get headaches. So listening to a course or podcast is a really great way to give my eyes a break!

If you check your phone before bed, you’ll probably have a harder time going to sleep than if you were to read instead. At one point I was reading Thomas Mann’s “The Magic Mountain” every night before bed – the book is great, but progresses so slowly that it put me to sleep really well. And while it did take me 6 months to finish it, it did wonders for my sleeping pattern!

And finally, checking your phone first thing in the morning can stress you out because it reminds you of everything you have to do. Instead, you could start your day in a much healthier way by working out or meditating – or simply having coffee with your cat.

So what do you think? Do you also feel like being on your phone makes you unproductive, or does it inspire you to be creative? Don’t forget to comment your opinion and to share the post with anyone who is obsessed with their phone!