301. The Hard Truths We've Learned From a Month of Using the Opal App

If, like me, you have ever told yourself, “Tonight, I will put my phone away by 8 p.m.,” only to find yourself two hours later mindlessly scrolling through TikTok, then you will probably feel seen in this episode, and I am sharing something that has made a huge difference for both Jesse and me: the Opal app.

This app has really helped me set real boundaries with my phone… and actually stick to them. Jesse and I talk about how Opal helped me finally break a pattern I didn’t even realize had such a grip on my evenings and how reclaiming that time has changed way more than I even expected! We’re talking about better sleep, better connection with each other, a tidier house, and a return to things I actually love, like reading fiction instead of just perusing strangers’ Instagram posts!

I also get honest about the struggles that I had at first (because setting boundaries with your phone sounds simple, but if it were that easy, we'd all be doing it already)! I share what worked, what surprised me, and why the goal isn’t perfection but awareness and choice, so if you are feeling like your evenings (or your whole day) keep slipping away one scroll at a time, this might give you some ideas!

In This Episode

[0:35] - Despite my plan to use my phone only as a landline after 8 p.m., I found that I lacked that willpower and needed additional help.

[3:33] - I ended up downloading the Opal app to curb late-night scrolling.

[6:17] - I explain that I set Opal to block social media apps nightly without any ability to override it.

[8:56] - After some trial and error, I managed to customize Opal’s settings to avoid emergencies but still stay disciplined.

[10:28] - Jesse notes that he has become more present and attentive at night after installing the Opal app.

[11:12] - Hear how I realized that I could meet my work goals while limiting app use to three hours.

[12:27] - Mindfully limiting phone use helped Jesse break habits of mindless scrolling.

[13:20] - Choosing to read fiction at night instead of scrolling has revived so much joy and fulfillment for me.

[14:38] - Without nighttime phone distractions, I also now get better sleep and feel more productive each day.

[17:09] - I explain how shutting down apps early has improved our home organization, marriage, and overall sense of presence.

[19:54] - Seeing how much of my lifetime I'd waste on my phone really gave me a huge wake-up call!

Links & Resources

Crystal Paine

Opal App

Books

Little House on the Prairie (book series) by Laura Ingalls Wilder

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

Social Media

Crystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)

Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)

Crystal Paine on LinkedIn

Crystal Paine on Twitter

Crystal Paine on Goodreads

Money Saving Mom

Money Saving Mom on Facebook

Money Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook group

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