NPC Dilemma

For future readers, the political climate in 2025 USA is a rapidly (de)evolving and largely menacing-seeming creature. It feels imperative to stay informed-for myself, for my family, for my community-and yet the vague directive to “stay informed” drives me to doom-scrolling, anxiety spiraling, and depressive spills. In fact, I often use the justification “I’m staying informed” to defend watching news clips and lingering on provoking headlines when I’m swiping through social media for work or leisure.

The obvious response would be to act with more intention: to decide in advance when and how I will engage with news headlines today, and how I will care for me and mine afterward. This is an excellent idea. I genuinely believe that many daily functioning conflicts can be improved by practicing intentionality.

But what about my phone? What about for leisure? I do not think that it is fair nor reasonable for most persons in 2025 to simply “dumb down” their smart phones. Social media appears in some form on most apps these days. I personally need some social media access on my phone for work, and I have family who will only reliably communicate with me through social media messaging. I’ve tried paring down on apps numerous time only to redownload the Facebook app because that’s where the information for an upcoming event lives. At the end of the day, I have paid so much money to have a phone that can do anything, only to feel pressured to show restraint. I need a different method.

Switching it Up

Last Friday, I ordered a purple Miyoo Mini Plus retro game console. (This is NOT a sponsored post.) The Miyoo is comparable to the size of my phone, and my hands are big enough that I can reach all the buttons with my thumb while holding the device one-handed. The console is lightweight (admittedly, a little cheap-feeling), fits in my pocket, has a great battery life, and a backlit screen. Like my phone, I can technically reach all the buttons with my thumb while holding it one-handed. It’s awesome.

Since its arrival, I’ve carried the Miyoo everywhere, and I take care to make it more accessible than my phone. On Sunday, my wife and mother-in-law were inspecting clothes in a store. We had been shopping for hours and having a delightful time, but I could tell I was flagging and growing increasingly overstimulated. I considered checking for notifications on my phone, maybe scrolling Instagram for a second, but paused: what if I played Pokémon Sapphire for a couple of minutes? Just one Poké Battle? Because the game is turn-based, Pokémon allowed me to still be somewhat aware of my environment and give my family purchasing feedback. The Miyoo isn’t connected to the internet, and there are no ads, no popups, no links to viral videos or AI generated art. I played my little console a few times for short bursts throughout that day, but I don’t think I checked my phone all afternoon.

Back to Tablet

The other big change I’ve made this past week or so is prioritizing my iPad. I purchased an iPad Air three years ago. I sincerely like having it, especially for art and text annotation, but admittedly, I’ve experienced a lot of difficulty incorporating its use in my day-to-day. My iPad has a 10.9″ screen, which is great for the aforementioned art and annotation, but is just a smidge too big for lounging and scrolling at home. (I would be very interested in trying the new iPad Mini if there are any generous patrons are out there reading.)

In saying this, however, I realize the critical phrase for me is and has been at home. I discovered that I can connect my iPad to my workstation at the office, which means I can stream my music or background videos from my iPad. When I’ve completed all my work tasks, I can use my iPad to write blog posts or dungeons & dragons campaign material. I intentionally don’t have very much installed on my iPad, no social media apps (minus YouTube), and I keep my device on Do Not Disturb, so I only get limited notifications. Honestly, this has significantly changed how I use both my work computer and my phone at work. I keep my phone on the file cabinet behind me, face down, Do Not Disturb on; I don’t use my work computer to find background videos or music. Suddenly, I’m not reacting to a Snapchat push notification, then waking up scrolling Facebook or Instagram and sinking into despair. Instead, I’m reflecting and creating, I’m reclaiming my autonomy. I’m still staring at a screen, but I’m able to intentionally compartmentalize my usages. It feels like progress in the right direction.

Work in Progress

I will be the first to admit that I have not had the Miyoo Mini Plus for very long, and I have only been using my iPad at work for a little while longer. I also want to add that I love technology. I love new gadgets; I love tinkering with them. It is easy for me to be swept up in the excitement of new things and their potential uses, only to abandon course some weeks later. I know this about myself and do my best to embrace it responsibly.

Nevertheless, I’ve written this post because I’ve felt a difference this week, even if it’s temporary. I haven’t been on my phone as much. I am staying informed about the world and its horrible, horrible headlines–but I’m doing so with intention. It’s very possible that I’ve manifested much of this through a stress-induced ADHD fixation that will pass in a week or two, but you know what, after weeks of gloom, I’m having a relatively decent time. I hope you are, too. Take inspiration where you find it, and carry on!