Approving the Apps in Your Life (FF-019)

Originally Published: November 28, 2023

Revised: November 11, 2025

Every year, I have a goal to read the number of books for that year (e.g. 23 books in 2023, 24 books in 2024, 25 books in 2025).  I find that this goal supports me picking up a book instead of doing mindless doom scrolling on my phone, watching endless hours of streaming, or (heaven forbid) sitting bored in a waiting room. 

This morning, I finished Book #22: Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport (you may recognize him as the author of Deep Work).  Wait until you read about what insights I had about the distracting little widgets on my phone.

Approving Your Apps!

I am certainly not perfect at mitigating distractions, but I try to be aware of unnecessary tapping on my smartphone.  While reading Digital Minimalism, I was challenged by Cal to analyze and remove any apps that were not absolutely necessary to use.  

Initially, I thought to myself that I really only use five apps on my phone: 

• Outlook

• Yahoo

• Google Messages (my text messaging app)

• Duolingo and 

• Facebook. 

Easy peasy.  I will get rid of Facebook for the month and reduce my usage of the rest to necessary check-ins only.

Boy was I wrong.

I started to write down every time I went into an app.  Then I assessed whether it was required or used more as a distraction.  I have removed about a dozen apps from my phone and have not missed any of them.  The most rewarding thing was removing Facebook and IG.  If I need or want to check what is happening socially, then I do so on my computer.  

I have found that being present and mindful has been a beautiful gift.  My kids and I were recently standing in a long line and I looked around.  Everyone was helping to pass the time by scrolling on their little device. I've been there too.  To be the one standing there and having an engaging conversation with my kids felt incredible. 

"Underscoring the sheer quantity of the time that can be reclaimed when you sidestep mindless digital activity to once again prioritize the real you." - Cal Newport, Digital Minimalism, Page 73

Are you up for the challenge?  If so, I encourage you to review the apps on your phone and remove any that are unnecessary or time leaks.  I also write extensively about this in my upcoming book – The Perfectly Productive Day.