I Stopped Being Glued to My Phone, Thanks to This One Swap
Like so many people, I’m constantly looking for ways to minimize my phone usage. While products like the Brick app have helped me get my life back, one hour at a time, I still find that investing in small pieces is the best way to get me to put my phone down and stop doomscrolling. My favorite tool for a lower-screen lifestyle I’ve tried so far is my phone valet from Twelve South.
What Is the Twelve South Valet?
The Twelve South Valet is a valet tray where you can charge up to two devices wirelessly. One of my favorite qualities is how quickly it’s able to charge my devices. Although I mostly use it overnight, I can drop off my phone between errands and get a quick boost before heading to my next activity — all while staying productive, and off of my phone.
Past the convenience of the valet, it’s also extremely stylish. It comes in eight colorways and has a Nappa leather base that covers the cord management underneath seamlessly. Priced at $179.99, the Twelve South Valet is a little luxury item — and although I keep mine on my bedside table, I could see it being useful in someone’s entryway (particularly for those who struggle with bedtime phone usage and need to keep it out of their room).
Why the Twelve South Phone Valet Works for Lower Screen Time
When I was in middle and high school, my mom created the “phone basket,” a place where we could put our phones after getting home from school so we could work on our homework and hang out with friends without trying to multitask. To me, this is the adult version of the basket.
The Twelve South Valet provides a place where my phone (and other accessories) can charge and be out of my hands completely. I treat it as my morning hub, where I can quickly check it for texts or scroll social media before I start my day, but I’m not tempted to carry it around my house because it has its own home base where the rest of my devices live.
As someone who grew up with limited screen time, having a physical space where my devices “belong” is the best hack for simplifying my life. My phone valet helps me parent the part of myself that wants that constant dopamine hit, without sacrificing any of the fun. My devices are there when I need them, but I feel freer because I don’t keep them on my person. (I’ve even swapped an Apple watch for an Oura ring to have one fewer screen to look at.) The result? A fuller life, better sleep, and fully-charged devices.
Buy: Twelve South Valet, $179.99