7 Years 130 days - Reading Ban

7 Years 130 days - Reading Ban

Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? Here’s a short, punchy slice of David Boyle’s life at 7 years and 130 days alcohol-free, where the main addiction under the microscope isn’t booze – it’s his phone. Boyle is back on *The Artist’s Way* for what he reckons is the fifth or sixth attempt, and he’s hit the infamous week four “reading ban”.

That ban now means no books, no TV, no phone, no scrolling – just his own brain for company. As he puts it, “all you’ve got is your attention… and it’s absolutely sucking it dry,” talking about how often he feels the urge to grab his phone, sometimes every 35 seconds.

With screens out of the picture, you’ll hear him run through a day that’s strangely productive: 20,000 steps, an open mic gig, meditation, shaving his head, cleaning, taking the kids to the park, and cooking lunch. Even after all that, he’s stunned at how much empty time is left once the phone is out of the way. He doesn’t pretend that being alone with his thoughts is some peaceful upgrade either.

Boyle jokes that “most of your thoughts are absolute dog shit,” and talks about the need to curate what he pays attention to mentally, just like he’s trying to do with his phone. One moment he decides to work on his consciousness; ten seconds later he’s fantasising about becoming mates with the guy at the Greek restaurant.

The episode is short, sweary, and very real – perfect if you’re sober, sober-curious, or just trying to get a handle on your own compulsive habits. It’s a reminder that quitting alcohol is one thing, but dealing with all the other “little machines” that hijack your attention is a whole new challenge. How much of your day is quietly being swallowed by your phone?