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A Heart in Translation's avatar

I deleted all social media from my phone at the start of the year and it has been such a blessing. So much lost time recovered. I find myself more present with friends, I prioritise going outdoors and just enjoying the beauty of God’s creation. I have been convicted recently to buy a camera to capture moments.

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Katie Donohue Tona's avatar

Yes, I did the same and it is truly life giving! And I would highly encourage getting a film camera! :) Thank you for sharing and being here!

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Brianna Brown's avatar

Love this girl! That book was the catalyst for change in our family too. I've been without a smartphone for over three years and I'll never regret that decision. The family Sabbaths—I pray are a life giving space for all of you as they have been for us.

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Katie Donohue Tona's avatar

Yes that book is such a game changer. And this is inspiring that other families are successfully doing this. Thank you Brianna! If you have written a post about your family's experience with Sabbaths or limited screen time, or you plan to, please keep me in the loop!

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Brianna Brown's avatar

So glad these are rhythms you're integrating into your family! I'll keep you updated if I write more about our family's journey into more simple living in the future!

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Raj's avatar

Thank you for the transparent and honest post and the book recommendation. I look forward to reading it.

This is a subject that needs more attention, thank you for bringing it… may God bless you and your beautiful family

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Katie Donohue Tona's avatar

Thank you so much Raj. And I hope you enjoy the book. God bless you!

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Kate Dreston's avatar

I enjoyed this piece as the Lord has been showing me over the last month some changes that need to be made. I'm trying to figure out the balance.

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Katie Donohue Tona's avatar

Thank you so much Kate! We are navigating the balance always too.

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Sierra Westerholm's avatar

I don't have any social media beside Substack, and I switched to posting every week to take the pressure off myself and allow more room for creativity. It has 100% worked, and I find myself more relaxed, and creating more then when I was posting weekly.

Another hack was buying an analog alarm clock and keeping my phone downstairs when I go to bed. That simple thing drastically helped.

The more you use the phone, the more your brain needs it. The less you use it, the less your brain wants it.

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Katie Donohue Tona's avatar

Yesss these are such good tips!! I've been craving an analog clock for at least a year and need to just pull the trigger and get one LOL. Thank you for sharing and being here as always Sierra! :)

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Shay B's avatar

I have been convicted to buy a Caterpillar flip phone (which still can have access to google maps and such) but haven't been able to just do it. I think I could have saved a lot of stress and heartache if I would have just done this !

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Katie Donohue Tona's avatar

Oo I am going to look into the caterpillar phone. Thank you for sharing and being here Shay! :)

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Emily Vermillion's avatar

Great message and needed!

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Katie Donohue Tona's avatar

Thank you Emily! :)

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Darlene López's avatar

Loved this. TV in our living room is one thing, but when I started dating my husband, I made it clear I wasn’t okay with having a TV in the bedroom. Not only does it mean less screen time for our family of three, but it also helps protect our space—keeping it peaceful, intentional, and distraction-free.

Our bedroom is for rest, conversation, and connection—not background noise. It’s one of the small boundaries that’s made a big difference.

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Katie Donohue Tona's avatar

I agree completely! Thank you for sharing and being here Darlene! :)

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Kallan's avatar

Loved this, Kate!

We’ve been doing family and God centered sabbath for 4 years, starting when it was just my husband and I, and it’s been beautiful as our family has grown.

I actually wrote a book about it I would love to share with you if you’re interested! Let me know and I’ll send you a message.

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Katie Donohue Tona's avatar

Hi Kallan! Yes please send it over! :) Wow that's inspiring. We need all the tips lol

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Talitha Piper Moore's avatar

love love lovvveee this. something I'm aspiring to do more and more as well.

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Katie Donohue Tona's avatar

Thank you so much Talitha! :) Yes it's still a work in progress for me as well!

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Janet Blessing's avatar

So sweet, and so encouraging to read of a young couple making an effort to maintain and cultivate human interactions in a world increasingly dominated by machinery. Praying many others will follow your good example.

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