I Followed the Trend—No More Number
Posted: Tue May 27, 2025 4:18 am
It’s funny how trends come and go, but every now and then, one really sticks. A few months ago, I decided to follow the growing trend of ditching my personal phone number. At first, I was skeptical—how could I live without it? But after seeing more and more people talk about the peace and productivity they gained by making the leap, I figured I’d give it a try. Let me tell you, I’m so glad I did. It’s been a few months since I cut ties with my number, and I’ve never looked back. I’m more present, more focused, and less bogged down by constant interruptions.
The initial transition wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. The hardest part was explaining it to people—friends, family, and even coworkers—who were used to reaching me instantly by phone. I had to create new systems for communication, relying more on email, video calls, and apps like Slack, Signal, and WhatsApp. Honestly, the most surprising thing is that people adapted quickly. In the end, it became clear that no one really needed my phone number to communicate with me. Everything that was “urgent” could be handled through more structured means—whether through email, scheduled calls, or app messages. It’s amazing how much of special database the so-called “urgency” in our lives is just noise.
What really stands out about ditching my number is the freedom I’ve gained. I no longer feel the constant pull of a ringing phone or the pressure to respond to messages within minutes. The boundaries I’ve set now allow me to focus deeply on work, personal projects, and relationships without the distractions that come with the flood of text messages, random calls, and notifications. For anyone on the fence about this, I encourage you to try it—even for a short period. You might be surprised at how much quieter and more intentional your life can be when you disconnect from the constant expectation of availability. It’s been a game changer for me, and I can’t imagine going back to the old way.
The initial transition wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. The hardest part was explaining it to people—friends, family, and even coworkers—who were used to reaching me instantly by phone. I had to create new systems for communication, relying more on email, video calls, and apps like Slack, Signal, and WhatsApp. Honestly, the most surprising thing is that people adapted quickly. In the end, it became clear that no one really needed my phone number to communicate with me. Everything that was “urgent” could be handled through more structured means—whether through email, scheduled calls, or app messages. It’s amazing how much of special database the so-called “urgency” in our lives is just noise.
What really stands out about ditching my number is the freedom I’ve gained. I no longer feel the constant pull of a ringing phone or the pressure to respond to messages within minutes. The boundaries I’ve set now allow me to focus deeply on work, personal projects, and relationships without the distractions that come with the flood of text messages, random calls, and notifications. For anyone on the fence about this, I encourage you to try it—even for a short period. You might be surprised at how much quieter and more intentional your life can be when you disconnect from the constant expectation of availability. It’s been a game changer for me, and I can’t imagine going back to the old way.