BY AMES CHANG
I’m not someone who spends hours on my phone. Yet despite the fact that I limit my screen time, I’ve found that a single notification can completely interrupt my focus.
The moment my phone vibrates, I feel the urge to look at it and find the source of the ding or ping. My first thought is always the same: Who’s trying to reach me? Before long, that question leads to others: What time is it? What happened on Instagram? Who’s texted me since I last checked? And before I know it, my attention has wandered away from whatever I was doing.
The problem isn’t the notification itself; it’s what happens after I check it. Whenever I pick up my phone to see who texted or called, I tell myself it will only take a second. Too often, though, what begins as a quick glance turns into several minutes of scrolling through Snapchat or TikTok. By the time I look up from my screen, I’ve lost momentum and have to work hard to regain my concentration.
Recently, I learned that turning off phone haptics, the use of technology that stimulates the senses of touch and motion, can reduce distractions and make it easier to stay focused. Until then, I hadn’t known it was possible to silence the vibrations that accompany notifications.
As soon as I heard about it, I went straight to the Settings app, scrolled down to Sounds & Haptics, and switched Haptics to “Never Play.” At first, the silence made me anxious; I didn’t like not knowing immediately when a text message arrived. I kept reaching for my phone, convinced I’d missed something. Within a few hours, however, I realized that most messages didn’t require an instant response, and if I wanted to check for new texts, I could simply open the Messages app and check when I was ready.
After about a week with haptics turned off, I noticed some significant changes. My daily screen time had dropped by roughly nine minutes, and I found it easier to stay focused on tasks. While studying for my math and Spanish finals, for example, I was able to concentrate for 45 minutes at a time instead of interrupting myself every ten minutes to check my phone. I also noticed that during car rides, I rarely thought about my phone at all. Without the constant vibrations, I felt much less tempted to glance at it.
Turning off haptics has not only reduced my screen time and improved my focus; it has also made me feel less stressed and more present in my daily life. When I’m spending time with friends or family, I no longer wonder whether my phone just buzzed and have stopped feeling compelled to check for notifications. Instead, I stay engaged in the conversation. Even during quiet moments, like sitting in the car, eating a meal, or waiting in line, I resist the automatic impulse to grab my phone.
I never expected that such a small change would make such a noticeable difference, and I’m grateful that I decided to try it. Thanks to turning off haptics, I pay more attention to the people and moments around me and feel more connected to everyday life.
Ames Chang is a 15-year-old equestrian from Los Angeles, CA. She is a huge animal lover who has four rescue dogs and two horses. She is very excited to be writing for The Plaid Horse!
