Want less screen time? Build a life you love.
To make social media less addicting, we need to make the real world more compelling. Also, some fun facts...
I shared the below on LinkedIn last week - it got a relatively low number of views, but that considered, pretty solid engagement. I figured I’d share it here because I like what I wrote, and maybe you’ll find it helpful…
It seems like everyone has become aware of how addicting social media is, and how easy it is to waste literally years of your life scrolling.
These days, I’m hearing a lot about solutions like Brick, Dumb Phone, screen time trackers and app blockers. I’ve tried them all, and they help…kind of.
But you know what’s been way more effective than imposing restrictions and boundaries around social media?
Building a life I love outside of my phone.
Because remember: social media is designed to be as engaging as possible.
So, if you want to spend less time on it…
Dial up the engagement of your real life.
I see how this works at Third Nature Summer Camp and Experience Camps For The Adults.
When people feel connected.
When they’re able to show up as their true, full selves.
When they’re having fun, learning, and contributing.
When they’re outside.
They have no interest in being on their phones.
As 3-time Third Nature Summer Camper,
, said to me recently:“Community and connection is one of the greatest antidotes to addiction.”
On the last day of every camp I’ve led recently, some conversation organically emerges around how we take this feeling home.
Inevitably, people talk about deleting TikTok, getting a phone lock box, and throwing their phones into the lake.
All fine strategies.
But none of them will last if we don’t find ways to feel as connected, engaged, and alive as we did at camp.
That’s why at Third Nature, our final workshop is called Bringing Camp Home.
Because camp isn’t an escape from reality.
It’s an opportunity to experience what’s possible in your own life, and for the world at large.
At camp, we don’t need to impose restrictions around device usage.
When your life becomes more like camp, you won’t need them either.
“Third Nature Summer Camp changed my life for the better. In one weekend, I experienced acro yoga, personal development workshops, community-building games, deep healing work, campfires, and the unforgettable “Passion Show” where we all shared our talents. Each piece gave me something unique - connection, challenge, joy, and release - and together they created a transformative experience I’ll carry forward.
I left camp with lifelong friends, new opportunities, and a sense of healing I didn’t even know I was still searching for. The care and intention of the leadership and facilitators created a space where I felt safe to show up fully and be changed. This isn’t just camp, it’s a community, a rite of passage, and a gift.”
- Marissa O.
Applications for Summer 2026 are officially open!
You can learn more and apply through the link below.
Loved That
Here’s where I enjoy sharing some of the things that made me say an enthusiastic, LOVE THAT, since I sent the last newsletter.
But there's another reason I do this: I believe "LOVED THAT" is a habit worth spreading. Taking the time to reflect on your week, savoring all the things you loved, is another form of gratitude practice that enhances happiness, fulfillment, optimism, and memory.
I recently heard from another friend and reader of this newsletter that he started his own Loved That practice.
Do try this at home!
Anyway, here's mine from these last two weeks:
1. Another cozy, vibey Vinyl Lounge at my friend Rachel’s apartment. I always love listening to the eclectic range of tunes curated by an eclectic range of humans. This time, I brought Lynyrd Skynyrd’s debut studio album (Pronounced ‘Lĕh-’nérd ‘Skin-’nérd). Had to play Side A to give the people what they wanted (Tuesday’s Gone, Gimme Three Steps, and Simple Man), but rocked out to Free Bird, the last song on the B side, on my walk home.
Fun fact…on the last day of camp at Scatico (at least for the 13 summers I went as a camper and counselor from 1997-2009), everyone stood in a circle as we belted out the words to Free Bird - before running into the lake during the closing guitar solo
2. The Third Nature Meetup in Prospect Park on October 18th. We got a beautiful day and great turnout on Nellie’s Lawn, where there also happened to be a group competing in an all-day DIY game of Survivor.
Fun fact…back in the Startup Island days, a question I used to get all the time was, “Do people get voted off the island?”
No. But there’s an idea there 🤓
3. All the delicious food I got to eat, most notably:
a) the spicy hummus, branzino, and juicy steak from Port Sa’id for our friend Samara’s BDay Dinner. Cool scene, lots of good looking people, music a little loud for my liking 👴
b) the smörgåsbord at Smorgasburg for the Diwali Festival in Prospect Park on October 19th. I got to sample food from Inari Zushi, Mao’s Baos, Paella Party, and Parish Po Boys…and of course, got some chicken tikka tacos and khaman from Kolachi + tandoori & veggie tingas by Chef Zeeshan of Nishaan.
c) the delicious sushi from Sen-Nin, in Murray Hill of all places. My friend Matt really twisted the arms of the Quarterly Dinner crew when he dragged us to one of his favorite hidden gems…and despite the hype, it did not disappoint. I especially loved the spicy lobster & crispy rice appis + Tasmania Ocean Trout, toro, and uni sashimi.
d) the cheeseburger gyoza from Muteki Udon & Ramen that we ordered in Friday night.
e) the egg katsu sando with bacon and cheese from The Little Egg on Saturday. One of the best BEC’s I’ve ever had.
Fun fact…I love food.
4. Celebrating 6 months with Baby Drew last night, and what feels like more “Loved That” moments than in the previous 36 years of my life 🥹
5. One more fun fact…this is the first newsletter in 11 editions (since June 2nd) where everything in this section takes place in NYC.
In other words, it was the first two-week period in almost 5 months where I didn’t leave the city.
And I LOVED that.
Thanks for reading! If you want more, you can always browse the archive of old but evergreen posts here.
Feel free to reply or comment with any thoughts or ideas that came up as you were reading - or things you’ve experienced recently that you LOVED.
Wishing you a great week ahead :)
With gratitude,
Brian