Out Of Signal
Marie Claire - UK|December 2018

How much of your time is spent in a phone black hole? As part of our #Screenbreak campaign, tackling the health and well-being implications of being glued to our devices, we ask three women to take our five-day ‘mindful scrolling’ challenge.

Charlotte Philby
Out Of Signal

‘I PICK UP MY PHONE TOO MUCH AND GET SUCKED IN’

Edwina Gieve, 38, is co-founder of vintage-inspired clothing label Clary & Peg

‘I’m very aware I look at my phone too much, and that I’m in the grip of a habit/obsession that sort of disgusts me, but I don’t do anything about it. I blame the fact that I have my own business, so I need to be available and looking at my mobile. But, in reality, I don’t have to be browsing Instagram when cooking dinner for my children or while I’m out with friends. I do try hard not to constantly seek out my phone – I bought a watch, so I don’t have to look at it for the time. And I do my best to put it on airplane mode at 10pm every evening (mostly more like 10.30pm), which gives me a self-imposed break between then and 7am, because I’m not a great sleeper and I really don’t think it helps. But I still find myself picking it up too much and it makes me sad. One of my issues is that my head is too full, so if I receive an email or text, I want to respond straight away. Otherwise, I’ll more than likely forget its existence and be haunted by guilt at 3am, unable to sleep, because having an endless to-do list makes me feel panicky and anxious. However, I find that when I have the time to get things done and finally look at the to-do list on my phone, those crucial things that I needed to do disappear, as I get distracted by something else – be it Instagram, Whats App or a news story.

This story is from the December 2018 edition of Marie Claire - UK.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 2018 edition of Marie Claire - UK.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM MARIE CLAIRE - UKView All
Uma Thurman
Marie Claire - UK

Uma Thurman

‘I Managed To Stay In The Business That I Love All My Life, And I Know That’s Not A Given. I Can’t Not Feel Lucky About It, No Matter What The Downsides Can Be’.

time-read
8 mins  |
November 2019
Pollution Proof Your Life
Marie Claire - UK

Pollution Proof Your Life

From your daily commute to your wood-burning stove, you’re unwittingly inhaling a variety of toxic substances. But you can take action to reduce their impact, reveals Claire Thorp.

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2019
We Love Lucy
Marie Claire - UK

We Love Lucy

From a star-making turn in Bohemian Rhapsody to a leading role in sassy new Netflix show The Politician, Lucy Boynton is ready for her close-up. Here, she tells Jane Mulkerrins about her life-changing year.

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2019
Human Touch
Marie Claire - UK

Human Touch

Connecting with others can have a confidence-boosting effect, support skin health and help you live longer. Here’s why the wonders of physical contact really matter...

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2019
Facing The Floods
Marie Claire - UK

Facing The Floods

Photographer Gideon Mendel has spent 12 years capturing the extreme rise in flooding across the globe. Here, he tells Marie Claire about the devastating human impact.

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2019
'Learn How To Please Yourself First' –and Other Sex Tips From Our Mums
Marie Claire - UK

'Learn How To Please Yourself First' –and Other Sex Tips From Our Mums

Three mothers and daughters explain how talking openly to each other about sex, identity and pleasure has strengthened their relationship and enriched their love lives

time-read
9 mins  |
September 2019
10 Mindful Ways To Approach Health And Well-Being
Marie Claire - UK

10 Mindful Ways To Approach Health And Well-Being

From cortisol-free fitness to stress-busting diets and calm skin, Fiona Embleton reveals ten mindful ways to approach health and well-being

time-read
6 mins  |
May 2019
Sex Crimes on Campus
Marie Claire - UK

Sex Crimes on Campus

This month, thousands of female students will head for university, but many will become the victims of sexual assault and harassment.Polly Dunbar investigates the alarming rise of college rape culture.

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2016
Fight The Fear
Marie Claire - UK

Fight The Fear

Approximately ten million people in the UK suffer with a debilitating phobia. When Charlotte Haigh’s fear of flying threatened to damage her mental health, she took action…

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2017
Celine Dion
Marie Claire - UK

Celine Dion

‘Growing Up, I Used to Feel Awkward and Insecure. I Remember Not Feeling or Looking My Best’

time-read
8 mins  |
December 2017