Challenge of the Month - Greyscale Mode
On the Nightstand
Stop asking dead-end questions; do this instead (92 second video)
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This month's challenge is literally to take the shine off my phone. I may not be as addicted as many, but I sure could be on that device less and I think I may have found the answer (for me, anyway).
Greyscale mode.
It turns your normally lovely, colourful, eye-catching phone into an ugly, dull and unappealing sea of grey. I change it to greyscale every other day and boy do I appreciate the colours on the even days of the month!
On grey days, scrolling is rare and I just use my phone to do what I have to do and put it away quickly. Because it looks different, immediately upon looking at the phone I have a shocking awareness of how often I mindlessly pick it up.
Most people that have noticed my phone, say (in a quite disgusted tone), "Why would you do that?!"
I asked my AI friend, Chattie, about the benefits of putting your phone on greyscale. Unfortunately it doesn't do much to extend battery life, as I had hoped), still lots of benefits though...
Benefits of Putting Your Phone on Greyscale
1. Reduces Screen Time
Bright colors are designed to grab your attention—especially red notification dots. Greyscale makes your phone less stimulating, which leads to less mindless scrolling.
2. Breaks the Dopamine Loop
Colorful apps (looking at you, Instagram and TikTok ) give your brain little hits of dopamine. Greyscale helps you detach from those traps.
3. Improves Sleep & Mental Well-Being
Less stimulation = easier to wind down at night.
Helps your brain decompress from digital overload.
4. Supports Mindful Tech Use
You become more aware of why you’re picking up your phone, not just grabbing it on autopilot.
5. Minimizes Distraction & Boosts Focus
Less color = fewer attention-grabbing elements = more intention behind each tap.
6. Can Help With Phone Addiction
It subtly trains you to use your phone more as a tool and less as a toy.
Those are biggies for me!
Over to you...
Would you consider trying it for a few hours here and there?
Imagine this as a consequence for your kids?
How to Try It:
On iPhone: Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Color Filters > Turn on Greyscale. Better yet, just say, "Hey Siri enable greyscale."
On Android: Settings > Digital Wellbeing > Wind Down > Enable Greyscale.
Stop asking dead-end questions; do this instead (92 second video)
Stephanie Staples
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