This is just a big cosign for all the recs on this ask. Make Things Less Convenient that you don't want to invest in. At the same time, for the things you do want to invest in, Make Them More Convenient.
I relentlessly cull what apps can send me notifications and automatically decline notifications when I install a new app. I delete sm apps from my phone and only use web view. I carry a physical book and writing supplies everywhere I go so I can just as easily reach for them as I could for my phone.
Related Recs
i have been on a journey to untangle my tasks from my iPhone.
i'd be out in the world someplace, pull out my phone for something as menial as checking the time, or as well intentioned as capturing the moment in a pic, and immediately get sucked into texts and instagramā¢ļø and all the virtual things happening in this tiny lil demon light box.
the goal: pull my phone out of my bag ONLY for phone things. that's texting, calling, and apps that can't be replaced
the solutions so far:
š°ļø i started with a watch (shoutout Casio) and i wear it every day. once I broke the habit of checking my phone for the time, I felt legitimately freed from something Major
š· I bought a small digital camera to leave in my bag. the pics look better and I donāt get distracted by the virtual world when I'm trying to capture something in the now
š I bought a kindle. It fits in my jacket pocket (literally) and gives me something to do when I'm on the train or waiting for an appointment that isn't scrolling
I just realized so much of the time I spent on my phone was not intentional. It was a thing I was doing in between Other intentional moments. my screen time is still several hours a day (donāt get me wrong) but I think my brain has healed at least 3%.
welcoming other ideas as wellš”
Sep 24, 2024
ā
i frequently have the experience of hearing someone else's phone go off with a notification and then having them complain that they're being constantly bothered, only to learn that the notification was from DiscountCarpetsNow.com or some other inane shit like that. they then proceed to pull up their phone and there's, like, several dozen notifications from other apps that they clearly hate but inexplicably have, and it's clear that they've just stopped paying attention to their notifications all together
if an app is not *absolutely essential* to your daily life, there is simply no reason why some motherfucker in silicon valley should be able to remotely bother you on command. when an app notifies you and you don't like it, mute it right then and there. unsubscribe from the email list. the dms can wait. your mind is as much a temple as your body is and there is absolutely no reason to let losers (and especially BRANDS) in.
Aug 25, 2024
š
I like to let my phone dieā I often donāt charge it overnight, and try not to plug it in during the day. If youāre able to access work/school through only your laptop, let your phone die, or leave it on the plug in another room.
I also delete most apps from my phone for periods of weeks, and minimally use social mediaā if this works for you, it can feel very liberating, and makes me feel much less constantly accessible (which I think is a good thing).
Something that helps me is thinking about the flattening of correspondence; before social media, if you wanted to communicate to a friend, it was one-on-oneā you might write a letter, or call, or email, but what you were doing was conversational and relational. When we use social media, we flatten a lot of individual relationships into one relationship between us and our āaudience.ā Instead of sharing a thought or comment intended for one person, and designed for them to reply and continue the correspondence, we put out press releases on our own lives: āthis is what I had for breakfast,ā āthis is a meme about my mental health,ā and we become part of a passive audience in our friendās lives. We end up feeling like weāve just seen our friends, because weāre āviewingā their lives, but actually apps leave us feeling very isolated and anti-social. Try deleting your most used social media apps, and also schedule a walk/movie night/coffee with a friend.
Outside of radical deletion, pick an audio book to listen to, and pair it with a hands on/tactile activity: you could load the dishwasher, or draw, or try embroidery.
Jul 29, 2024
Top Recs from @lucius
Alright y'all, standards have gotten a little lax around here and rec quality has taken a dip (I'm including myself in this). Here are some pointers for High Rec Standards.
ANATOMY OF A REC:
TITLEāThis is the rec or recommendations. This is NOT a lead in. Type exactly what you're recommending here. What appears in the Title should finish this sentence, "I recommend _____."
BODYāThis supports the rec and anything goes. Supporting statements, supporting essays, additional recs, you can get silly, you can pontificate. You can do anything you want. Except putting the main rec down here. Where does it go? That's right. In the Title š
IMAGEāNo rules. Add one to preference. It can be relevant or a non sequitur.
LINKāI highly recommend links but it's not as important as the Title or Body. If you are recommending something that has an online presence (music, movies, websites, products, etc.), Piffies want to click on it immediately. Don't make us google. Be kind a leave a link.
EMOJIāNo rules. Express yourself.
ANTI-RECS:
They exist and they are valid recs. "Anti-Rec: _____" clearly communicates this is something best avoided. But a better way format this type of Rec is to use a modifier or verb that flows with "I recommend _____." Ex. I recommend... Not Eating Tacks, Avoiding Area X, Leaving Off the Anchovies, etc.ā(Formatting Anti-Recs this way first recommended by tyler the Creator)
ANATOMY OF AN ASK:
TITLEāThis is the question or topic of the Ask. Asks can solicit advice or start a discussion. You have some flexibility here because the Ask is expected to be expounded upon in the body if it needs more context. Just be clear. Again, this is not a lead in. Be direct and ask the question or state the topic.
BODYāProvide more context. Narrow the recommendation field. Add relevant links. Remember, the Ask goes in the Title š
EMOJIāNo rules. Express yourself.
ANSWERING AN ASKāRecs on Asks can break style as dictated by the Ask. If the Ask is looking for Recs, give Recs following style. If it's asking for opinions, give your opinion. Asking for links? Give links! Respond however you would respond some someone IRL. Asks start a conversation so you can be more conversational. But keep in mind that these Recs will appear in the main feed. So where you can maintain Rec style, do so.
Example: WHATāS YOUR CURRENT LETTERBOXD TOP 4?
A response to this with High Rec Standards would look something like this:
TITLEāLists your current Letterboxd top 4. You are recommending these four movies.
BODYāFree reign here. Drop your Letterboxd @. Talk about the movies. Make a quip. Emoji. Relevant links. Nothing.
IMAGEāOptional. Screenshot of your top four. Frame from a movie. Dealer's choice.
LINKāAdd your Letterboxd profile only if you want to be found.
EMOJIāWhatever. But it'd be nice if it was relevant.
DISCLAIMER:
This is a living community document! These are only my recommendations for a foundation. Debate and Discussion of proper style are Encouraged. Any editions and changes to the PI.FYI STYLE GUIDE will be notated with attribution.
Changelog:
07.26.2024āClarified a Rec is not limited to one recommendation. Recs can recommend multiple things. Thanks to shegoestoanotherschool for identifying the issue. / Added guidance for Anti-Rec format.
02.11.2025āMoved SpongeBob Bubble Blowing Technique video link from the top level into the body ("some pointers") so the embed wouldn't override the High Quality instructional graphic.
Jul 25, 2024
šø
This combo has just been here the whole time?!
Feb 6, 2025
š„Æ
i will eat one every day i do not give a fuck anymore
Jan 30, 2024