There are a lot of warnings out there about the time we spend in front of our various devices. The evil of screens.

I have to push back on that a little bit.

I need my devices to do my work and earn my living. (and I am not the only one). I’m writing this post on an iPad. I use my phone for creative purposes. My desktop to necessary to create output deliverables to serve clients.

But all of this does have a dark side.

Purposeless phone-checking and infinite scrolling mean constant dopamine hits. Addiction and dopamine are bedfellows of the worst kind.

A “digital fast” might be effective for some. It doesn’t work for me because work requires digital technology. While it wouldn’t be impossible, it is impractical.

But dopamine danger is real. None of us are immune.

Here’s what I do to battle the consequences of our digital culture.

•  During meals and conversations, phone away. Engage with people with pure analog engagement.

•  Use Austin Kleon’s advice to use digital tools for editing ideas, but use analog tools for generating. ideas. I also have two desks - a digital desk and an analog one.

•  Schedule pure analog time into your day. Walk outside. Read a physical book. Journal with a pen and paper. Draw. Sculpt. Cook. Do woodworking or pottery or floral arrangement. It doesn’t matter, really. Just something that eliminates the slavish need for digital tools.

•  Schedule “checking time.” Social media, email, analytics, and anything else that gets “checked” - check it on a schedule rather than at random times.

Screens are not evil. The way we use our screens is oftentimes harmful.

Embrace the limitations and boundaries of your boredom - because limitations, boundaries, and boredom are essential building blocks in the foundation of creativity.