Celibacy and a Flip Phone

I’m considering two radical moves: going celibate and swapping my smartphone for a flip phone, simultaneously. (Sorry, ladies—if you were hoping for a cowboy-style quick draw, this flip phone stays holstered—I’m celibate.)

Why? Simply put, to lock in.

I want to win. Truly. And I’ve come to believe that two of the biggest obstacles to deep focus and productivity are my smartphone and the distractions of sexual temptation. Both pull attention away from what really matters. So, as I always do, I’m leaning toward extremes.

Think of it as a temporary experiment—maybe a few months of living life on hard mode. Call it “monk mode,” if you like.

An Experiment

Take two men:

The first man uses an iPhone. His day starts with swiping on dating apps, scrolling through social media, and dodging—or indulging in—thirst traps. When boredom strikes, porn is just a tap away. I've been there. You've probably been there too.

The second man? He’s celibate and armed with a flip phone. His contacts list is bare—just 10 essential people. No endless feeds. No dopamine hits from likes or matches. No distractions vying for his time or mental energy.

Now, imagine both men start a business at the same time. Who do you think has the edge?

The Power of Focus

The flip phone guy wins. Every. Single. Time.

Why? Because his energy is channeled entirely toward his goals. There’s no wasted bandwidth refreshing notifications or chasing fleeting highs. He’s not tethered to a device designed to pull him into an endless loop of distraction. Nor is he diverting precious focus toward short-term gratification.

The celibate, flip-phone man has clarity of purpose. And in today’s world, where attention is the most valuable currency, his ability to lock in gives him a massive advantage.

My Take

Am I really about to go celibate and downgrade to a flip phone? Maybe. I’m not saying it’s the only path to success, but it’s a powerful way to strip life down to its essentials and reorient toward what matters most. I hate talking without action, so I feel compelled to put this experiment into action.

This isn’t about rejecting technology or sex forever. It’s about reclaiming control. When you remove distractions and temptations, you’re left with a simpler, sharper reality—one where the only thing standing between you and your goals is your effort.

And that’s a reality I’m ready to embrace.

Let’s dial in (from a burner phone).

What are your thoughts on this experiment? Too extreme? Too hard to actually do?

Thanks for reading,CT