Cancelled My Number to Get Work Done
Posted: Tue May 27, 2025 3:09 am
For a while, I found myself drowning in distractions, and most of them came from one source: my phone number. Texts, calls, notifications—they never stopped. Even when I wasn’t actively on my phone, just knowing that a call or message could come through at any moment kept me on edge. I couldn’t focus for more than 20 minutes without some form of interruption. I started missing deadlines, pushing projects aside, and feeling mentally exhausted. That’s when I asked myself something radical: What if I just got rid of my number? At first, it sounded ridiculous. But after thinking about how much time and energy I was losing, I made the leap—I cancelled my number.
The effect was immediate. I didn’t realize how much mental special database clutter those little pings and rings had created until they were gone. Without constant communication coming at me from all directions, I was finally able to settle into deep work. I wasn’t checking my phone every five minutes. I wasn’t fielding back-and-forth texts that could’ve been emails. Instead, I organized my communication around specific tools—Slack for collaborative work, email for official conversations, and scheduled check-ins where necessary. Not only did I get more done in a day, but the quality of my work improved. I felt more present, more creative, and far less frazzled. What I once feared would isolate me actually gave me clarity and breathing room.
Of course, cancelling my number raised a few eyebrows, and I had to explain to clients and colleagues how to reach me in other ways. But once people understood, they adapted. The world didn’t end, and I didn’t lose touch with anyone important. More importantly, I gained back control over my time and focus. If you’re someone who struggles to get work done because you’re constantly being pulled in by phone calls or texts, I can’t recommend this enough. Cancelling my number might sound like an extreme move—but for me, it was exactly what I needed to reclaim my productivity and peace of mind. Sometimes, in order to move forward, you have to let go of the things that are silently holding you back.
The effect was immediate. I didn’t realize how much mental special database clutter those little pings and rings had created until they were gone. Without constant communication coming at me from all directions, I was finally able to settle into deep work. I wasn’t checking my phone every five minutes. I wasn’t fielding back-and-forth texts that could’ve been emails. Instead, I organized my communication around specific tools—Slack for collaborative work, email for official conversations, and scheduled check-ins where necessary. Not only did I get more done in a day, but the quality of my work improved. I felt more present, more creative, and far less frazzled. What I once feared would isolate me actually gave me clarity and breathing room.
Of course, cancelling my number raised a few eyebrows, and I had to explain to clients and colleagues how to reach me in other ways. But once people understood, they adapted. The world didn’t end, and I didn’t lose touch with anyone important. More importantly, I gained back control over my time and focus. If you’re someone who struggles to get work done because you’re constantly being pulled in by phone calls or texts, I can’t recommend this enough. Cancelling my number might sound like an extreme move—but for me, it was exactly what I needed to reclaim my productivity and peace of mind. Sometimes, in order to move forward, you have to let go of the things that are silently holding you back.