Crafts to Combat Phone Addiction

Dear community,
several newspapers and online magazines are currently reporting on the trend toward crafts as a way to counteract cell phone addiction or constant cell phone use. So here’s my question for you: Does it actually help? Do you spend less time on your phone when you’re working on a craft project?

Mod tip: You can find some great patterns to help take your mind off your phone here. Have fun with them. 

I definitely prefer crafts to my phone—I don’t spend that much time on it anyway.
My friends and family are pretty scattered, so the visual contact via WhatsApp is great for hearing from and seeing each other more often, but other than that, I don’t really care much about it.
If TV reports are to be believed, this is more of a problem for much younger people—and do they even like to do crafts? I have no idea.

Yes, I think crafts help here, too.

When I’m crocheting, I can’t be on my phone. If I’m engrossed in my pattern and enjoying my craft, my phone might beep and I still won’t answer it.

Definitely positive for reducing phone time.

Dear Petra,
I feel the same way you do: I don’t have a cell phone either. But that gives me more time for crafts and reading. It feels wonderful—especially because you’re not always reachable, no matter where you are.
Best wishes, Sigrid

That’s definitely true for me. In the evenings, I have to consciously put my phone on the (far-away) charging station; otherwise, I’m constantly distracted by it.
Since I have a fairly short attention span due to an illness and like to see progress, I prefer working with small pieces rather than large ones, and with colorful yarn rather than solid colors. But it helps me. 

I have a cell phone, but it sits on the table all day and I hardly ever use it. When I’m out and about, it’s in my pants pocket. For me, the cell phone is meant for emergencies and not for “fiddling around” on it all day. What’s important to me is being reachable for family and such—nothing more.

I have a cell phone.
I’m currently chatting with the needle lace group on WhatsApp. We started the group after the in-person class.
It’s pretty handy because everyone has time for it at different times—whether for questions or to share photos of the progress on our projects. And the instructor always responds very quickly to any problems or questions.
For that, I think a cell phone is great.

But otherwise, I only use it for my calendar or for necessary communication with my family. 
When I’m at home, I leave it off to the side on the table. Some days, I even put it on silent.

It’s practical, but it’s definitely not my life.
That’s more likely to happen to me with a nice craft project or an exciting book😁😁😁

I’m a bit older, but unfortunately I’m still on my phone a lot. Posting pictures and videos of my crochet projects is my third hobby, alongside crocheting itself and collecting yarn 😅
If my phone isn’t nearby, I’m guaranteed to miss it after a few minutes just to check something (calendar, time, or whatever...)
Only when I’m designing something new (a crochet pattern) and have to tinker around with it does it really slip my mind. In other words: when I’m fully focused. Unfortunately—I’d prefer it to be different.
I’m afraid it’s kind of an addiction.

I wish you all many wonderful hours of crocheting without your phones.
Warm regards, Karoline 

I feel the same way as Karo.
I’m 55 and, due to an illness, I spend a lot of time on my phone.
My tired muscles can’t handle doing crafts for too long.
And yes, I find myself reaching for it constantly—it’s bad.
But I don’t have any other social contacts since I have to live in isolation.

Collecting projects on a digital pinboard brings me a lot of joy and serves as inspiration. 

 

For me, this is absolutely true.
I’m in the 35–40 age group and spend way too much time on my phone in the evenings. After a stressful day juggling work, kids, household chores, and whatever else needs doing, I’m just glad when I can finally sit on the couch without anyone wanting something from me.
This often leads to me getting completely sucked into YouTube, following the pattern: just one more Short... And just like that, two hours are gone. 
But when I pull out my knitting or crochet project, I listen to an audiobook while I work, following the same motto: just one more row... [I’m sure you know the feeling ;-) ]
So it’s the same behavior as with YouTube Shorts, but I actually get something done.
My mind can still unwind, and I feel just as relaxed as if I’d spent the time on my phone, only with the good feeling of having accomplished something.

Bottom line: Especially for those who quickly get sucked into their phones, crafts are a totally brilliant alternative! 

I spend a lot of time on my phone, tablet, or laptop. However, I also use it a lot for studying or as a replacement for a notepad. Since my daily schedule is often pretty packed, I also use it to keep in touch with various people via messaging apps. Plus, I “just happened” to found a support group—originally a parents’ group—12 years ago, which requires a lot of attention from time to time. These days, my phone is almost always on silent. My watch is synced, and I can tell at a glance whether something needs to be checked right away (school stuff, family) or not. If I’m waiting somewhere while out and about, I’ll be on my phone if I’ve forgotten my craft project. 
I rarely waste time on YouTube or Pinterest. Mostly when I’m feeling under the weather or during pockets of time that can’t be put to good use. Every now and then, a game captures my attention. I delete it immediately if I find myself spending too much time on it.