https://www.reddit.com/r/simpleliving/comments/1izufab/ever_missed_an_important_message_bc_of/
created by Otherwise-Ant630 on 28/02/2025 at 00:02 UTC
107 upvotes, 18 top-level comments (showing 18)
i’m working on cutting back on my screen time, but with using my phone less i accidentally missed a really important call where a loved one needed me and i felt terrible! working on being more intentional about that now but i was curious to see if anyone had similar experiences? and how do you avoid this now?
Comment by Butterbean-queen at 28/02/2025 at 01:25 UTC
35 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Yes. I’ve turned my phone down and just checked it periodically. I’m not used to staying connected 24/7. There was once a time when you left your house and no one could contact you. Or take your phone off the hook so you wouldn’t have to talk to anyone. I think it’s crazy how people think you should be available 24/7 just because you have a cell phone.
Comment by Invisible_Mikey at 28/02/2025 at 00:43 UTC
16 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Everyone who knows me knows I never check messages on my cell, which lives in my car in case of emergencies. I have a landline with an answering machine at home that is silent, which screens for robocalls. If it's blinking, I have a message. It's old school I realize, but also zero screen time.
Comment by heyheyfifi at 28/02/2025 at 00:27 UTC
11 upvotes, 0 direct replies
No because I only have notifications on for my messages and emails and calendar. Nothing else is urgent and some people even turn emails off
Comment by Pawsandtails at 28/02/2025 at 01:05 UTC
7 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I use the option to silent/reject calls not on my contacts, so when my phone rings I now is someone I know and can check the call.
Also it’s my opinion that text messages are not for time sensitive issues, so I won’t check them often.
Comment by fingers at 28/02/2025 at 00:36 UTC
5 upvotes, 0 direct replies
The only notifications I get are from one person on Discord, text messages, phone calls, and calendar.
You might consider putting your phone on do not disturb and let important people know to call and call back (two calls in a row from someone makes it actually ring).
Or
Move to a flip phone that doesn't connect to the internet. Give new number only to certain people.
Comment by ImLivingThatLife at 28/02/2025 at 02:36 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I allow calls and texts to come through. Everything else is silenced. There are some focus modes I use on iOS that block out calls/text as well but I have it set to allow a few contacts for emergency purposes (family and close friends).
Comment by snyone at 28/02/2025 at 01:40 UTC*
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I'm on Android, which could arguably be said to *not* be simple living (compared to basic phones moreso than apple ones)... But some tricks I use to help filter things out:
Is this simple and easy to setup up? Not really hard IMO but it was time consuming. Especially setting up custom ringtones and finding a sms notification that I could hear but wouldn't wake me both took awhile. But the end result sure as fuck makes dealing with spam a lot simpler without losing anything worthwhile.
Comment by mummymunt at 28/02/2025 at 05:03 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
The only active notifications on my phone are text messages, phone calls, and the grocery shopping app so I know when my order is ready to pick up. My phone is still usually with me because I listen to podcasts while I'm doing stuff, so I very rarely miss a call/notification.
Comment by frostedminispooner at 28/02/2025 at 07:02 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I put all of my important contacts on a list that can override DND and that helps!
Comment by utsuriga at 01/03/2025 at 18:19 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
You do realize you can customize notifications, right? It's pretty much the very first thing I do when I install an app. You don't have to turn your phone off or whatever, you can just set apps to not send notifications, limit what they can send notifications about, use launchers like Niagara, that offer sending notifications in summaries instead of as they arrive (it's a LIFESAVER, I tell you)... Start by looking aroud in the Digital Wellbeing settings.
Disclaimer: this is for Android. Dunno what's going on with iPhones, they're far less customizable but there's no way they don't allow you to customize app notifications in one way or another.
Comment by AutoModerator at 28/02/2025 at 00:02 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
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Comment by AirportBeneficial392 at 28/02/2025 at 05:07 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
There are no important calls for me. Most important calls are for taxiing home or for medical themes. In my country there are specifical taxi driver and medical first responders. They can do it better than me anyways. So no need to call me.
If I have children, it would be different and I have to be open for calls.
I set group chats in Whatsapp to silent. My friends are not very communicative to me, so it's OK.
Comment by Snarm at 28/02/2025 at 06:43 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Turn off your notifications. The only notifications that ping my phone are calendar alerts/alarms and text messages (and I'm not in any stupid-ass group chats where people just drop memes and bullshit all day bc they're bored - the people texting me are usually people I actually care about and want to hear from). Not even email notifications. I decide when I look at apps, they don't get to announce themselves to me.
Comment by FriskyTurtle at 28/02/2025 at 10:04 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
This is basically the same phenomenon as alert fatigue. Huge disasters (like plane crashes, building fires, etc.) have occurred and continue to occur because of it. You're not alone.
Comment by eeeddr at 28/02/2025 at 12:11 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
All the time. What have I done to combat that?
Comment by No-Cranberry-6526 at 01/03/2025 at 02:43 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I can’t stand notifications. I have them all either off or muted.
Comment by Timely-Helicopter173 at 01/03/2025 at 12:49 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Only phone calls and SMS make a sound on my phone, nothing else is urgent or they'd phone (if they don't agree, it's not my problem).
My phone goes into total do not disturb at night, in fact it starts a bit before so I can wind down earlier than most people think it's okay to phone me for non-urgent things. You can use exceptions from 'do not disturb' for some contacts if you want to.
I struggle with concentration when working so I often put my phone in 'do not disturb' in the day for an hour or two at a time.
I'm just not always available, it's unrealistic for people to expect you to pick up the phone at any moment they might want to reach you, people have lives, appointments, are driving, are asleep, whatever.
Comment by AutoModerator at 28/02/2025 at 00:02 UTC
0 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Hello, /u/Otherwise-Ant630! Thank you for your participation. It looks like this post is about careers, jobs, or work. Please note r/simpleliving is not a career advice sub - if you're asking for that, please retry in those subreddits. If it's not career advice, carry on!