I've adopted a different approach. Going fully offline makes life really difficult, so I decided to basically compartmentalize my online life.

I have different user accounts for different tasks, with privoxy set up to block irrelevant network traffic . Admittedly I mostly use a desktop computer for my online life so it's tailored toward that, but I did configure my phone to use a proxy as well it's been working pretty well.

Means I can cut back on "mindless" social media use without having to cut back on intentional use. I did a write-up here: https://www.marginalia.nu/log/99_context/

These are precisely the reasons I want a smarter phone. Taking pictures of my kids and navigating around town. We also listen to children’s stories in the car using Spotify so that too. Banking I could probably work around but it’s possible I’m just not realizing how much I use my phone for these types of things. That said, I have zero social media or scroller apps, outside of HN.

It’s a document scanner, a document-signing device (we did basically the entire house search, offer, and closing process all on our phones, last time), flashlight (I use this daily), camera that can do “live photos” (they’re magical, I have zero interest in a camera that doesn’t do that), a check-depositing terminal, a tape measure or level (in a pinch), a note-taking device, and so much more. Music player. Alarm clock. A credit card.

My phone is without a doubt the single most-useful electronic gadget in my house, and it’s not a close call. My desktop machine and laptop are nothing but toys unless I’m building stuff for computers. (My tablet is the second most-useful, and again, it’s not a close call)

> a document-signing device (we did basically the entire house search, offer, and closing process all on our phones, last time)

Interesting, what software/platform do you use on the phone?

Any of the major document signing web services.

That’s one of the few of those that works just as well on a desktop or laptop—the difference is, if it’s something time-sensitive and comes in while you’re, say, in the line at the grocery store, or just on the couch watching TV, you just tap-tap-tap-tap and you’re done, move on with your day, barely even interrupts whatever you’re doing.

[edit] that is, the functionality’s just as good on desktop, but it’s not better, and a phone is far more convenient.