Some advice to help put the phone down.

Delete all social media apps. They are built to be addictive. If you can't have a healthy relationship with them, delete them and maybe a week or month later reevaluate if you need them.

Put your phone in greyscale or black/white mode. This one will sound odd, but your brain is so much less interested in constantly being on the phone in grey mode. Plus it's a visual reminder to not be on the phone too much.

As for apps to help, I do not have any good apps for productivity. I just use goodreads to keep track of what I am reading and what I plan on reading. I try to write a review of everything I read just to help others, but don't go overboard into the social aspect of the app.

Thanks for your response!

Interesting perspective, thanks for your response

[deleted]

I use Bookly to track my reading. It has reminders to read and you can set goals, like reading a certain number of pages per day or reading for a certain amount of time.

I haven't read the book, but I did peruse the wiki before I went to see the movie. I actually really liked the ending the movie took and felt it was done in a way that tugged the heart-strings, but also let you laugh at the absurdity of it and grieve with the partner and his daughter. I think (and this might just be me) American audiences don't really like ambiguity and M. Night opted to give a rather definitive answer. We were definitely talking about it after the movie and it gave me food for thought for days, whereas the darker ending of the book probably wouldn't have played the same way (at least to me) and I would have left the theatre feeling cold and empty.

I didn't love this book (tbh I might try to re-read because I may have just been in the wrong headspace at the time, although I don't typically love apocalyptic books) and I haven't seen the movie.

That said... to me, it sounds like that ending ruined the whole thing.... It destroys the ambiguity. We aren't supposed to know for sure that there's really an apocalypse... these could just be a bunch of nuts... or they could be killing people for fun... and the natural disasters are a coincidence because, I mean, just turn on the news and there will probably be an apocalyptic-type event featured.

edit: sorry forgot to get to this part. I suspect they changed it because they thought a child dying would be too upsetting... and they wanted a "happy" (ish) ending?

Dave Bautista was great.

He's such a diverse actor, and yes his size is sometimes used for "comedic affect" but he is really good at serious roles..

>issue is with developing the discipline. between a book and unwarranted doomscrolling

The issue is probably the unwarrated doomscrolling in general. If you do not read but go run, or clean or whatever productive thing that is all good.

If it is between you and doomscrolling, the doomscrolling seems to be a huge social issue and is affecting a lot of people. If you got an iphone set up limits? on android there must be apps for that. And just try to put it down particularly in the evening (screens and social media are IMO not good for sleep quality).

Are you reading books how? I think paper or e-ink ebook readers are very distraction free, but reading on devices with led screens much more dispersive and unfocused plus harder on the eyes.

I put absolutely no pressure on myself and do not give a fuck about building my reading habit.

Just pick books you want to read, or look forward for some quiet so you can find what happens next.

Seems like you identified the problem. Uninstall all distraction apps, turn off all notifications.

I have not read the book, but found the movie so extremely tiresome and really hated the ending. The only thing I enjoyed was David Bautista.

Thanks for asking!

Here's an article of explanation: https://www.wisegeek.com/why-do-jews-write-g-d-instead-of-god.htm

I come from a tradition which is not part of the Judaic tradition, but does respect and acknowledge "God" means different things to different people, and often has more than one name, so "G-D" is often used and uplifted (not a requirement but as means of respect).

None. I like reading so I read a lot

I'm mostly curious about why you censored the word "God"

You can set up time limits on apps. Say 15 min, then you won't get stuck in the infinity pool. Apps are designed to keep you engaged so it's not necessarily your fault. Googles digital wellbeing is how you can do it on Android, I don't know Ios

R/Goodreads holds my list of books I am interested in.

The kindle app lets me read while waiting for things.

Atomic Habits helped me build good habits

No app is gonna give you self discipline enough to put the phone down and read - that's something you have to want to do in the first place.

[removed]

[removed]

You've identified the problem. So make some effort to stop doing that. Practicing self control will do more wonders than another app on your phone.

If you must have a passive aggressive reminder. Setup one using Google Calendar or Apple Calendar. Block off a specific time of day and allow notification to remind you of the task. There is also Apple Reminder or Google Task.

If a reminder is all you require, just set a calendar alert on your phone for the same time every day.

If you need to precisely track time, use a stop watch on your phone.

You don't need anything fancy for what you're asking there. Beyond that it's simply self-control. It may also be worth asking the question if you really want to read? Something you enjoy shouldn't really take that much motivation to want to do.

issue is with developing the discipline. between a book and unwarranted doomscrolling

[removed]

No