Have you ever wondered why your screen time has a high of twelve hours? Or why you just can’t ignore the temptation of incoming texts? Have you noticed you often wait to charge your phone after it dies? What about taking your phone with you when going to the restroom? Did you know that some of these phone behaviors are actually connected to your personality? Your phone habits have a lot to say about you.
Let’s start with your phone battery. If you are one of those people whose phone is always above 10%, you are likely to be a person who plans for unforeseen circumstances. You might dislike surprises or being caught off guard. Some studies even show that keeping your phone battery above 10% can represent routine and consistency, which shows you create and maintain stability in your life. Additionally, another reason for keeping your phone above a 10% is the fear of missing out. You don’t want to miss a call or a text from a friend, so you try to keep your phone battery at a safe range (experteditor.com).
In contrast, letting your phone die before charging it suggests that you are more of a risk-taker, not a routine follower. This habit may also show procrastination, since you wait until the very last moment. Moreover, you aren’t afraid of living in the moment and can go for longer periods without checking for a text message.
Some people like to leave their phone on do-not-disturb mode. These people usually possess traits like self-control, focus, introversion, and lack of FOMO (geediting.com). FOMO means the fear of missing out on new, exciting, and/or interesting events that are happening somewhere else. Individuals have the self-control to avoid constantly checking their phones, which shows how they are not afraid of missing a text or a call. They also have the desire to have a better focus since they do not like distractions. Josie Kim (9) related, “My phone is always on do-not disturb because I get annoyed when I get too many notifications. Additionally, it helps me focus better.” Also, a lot of people with do-not-disturb mode on are introverts, because they don’t prefer socializing and don’t care about the incoming notifications.
If you take the reverse, and your phone often has a large number of notifications coming in, it shows that you are highly extroverted and have a lot of friends. You may be distracted easily by a text or a call. Furthermore, you might have FOMO since you want to stay on top of the newest news from friends.
Research also has shown that high hours of screen time are connected with lower mental well-being, along with less curiosity and self-control. From sciencedirect.com, “Twice as many high (vs. low) users of screens had an anxiety or depression diagnosis.” Additionally, more screen time often leads to lowered social and communication skills with friends and family.
Did you know that the way you hold your phone is also a reflection of your personality? Studies have shown that if you like to hold your phone with one hand and scroll with your thumb, it means that you have a high level of confidence. You are an enthusiastic individual and a risk-taker. If you hold your phone with two hands but scroll with one thumb, it reveals that you are a cautious person and may often like to verify your work a couple of times. If you are the individual who scrolls with two hands and two thumbs, it demonstrates that you are energetic. According to thesun.co.uh, “‘You are always ahead of the curve, flexible and forceful,’” making you ideal for roles in operations, journalism, aviation, or tech.” Lastly, it is said that if you have a habit of scrolling with your index finger, you may be creative. The same study reveals, “You think deeply before acting and see the world differently. ‘Your ability to observe the world from a unique perspective is what sets your work apart.’”
Have you ever wondered why you often take your phone to the restroom with you every time? Here are the traits you possess: curiosity, multitasking, fear of FOMO, high stress levels, and avoidance of silence. When you bring your phone to the bathroom each time, you are seeking new information or distractions. You may also be a multitasker, since you are obtaining knowledge or watching videos while using the toilet. Fear of missing out may also be a reason, since you don’t want to be separated from your phone for even just a few minutes, not wanting to miss the latest information from friends. High stress levels can also be a cause for this habit, as you use these few minutes to watch some Shorts or Reels to destress. Finally, you may dislike silence and want to hear noises, so you won’t feel lonely or surrounded by only your thoughts (experteditor.com). If you don’t take your phone to the restroom, you are more likely the opposite. Charlotte Mar (9) shared, “I don’t have a fear of missing out, so I don’t care [about not having my phone in the restroom]. Additionally, I think it’s disgusting.”
Another habit that says a lot about you is how you organize your apps on your phone screen. Are you the one with an organized home screen, or are you the one with no folders? What do these mean? If you organize your apps into folders and maybe even color-code them, it shows that you are highly organized. You prefer structure, and you may be a perfectionist. In contrast, individuals who never organize their apps may be better at adapting and can get used to a wide variety of environments. Moreover, some people like to customize what their apps look like. They often have creativity and are aesthetic. Furthermore, if your phone background is the default background, you may fear what people will think when they see your wallpaper. You could have a strong sense of privacy and secrecy (whatgadget.com).
Many of the little things we do in our lives are the result of our personalities. A small thing like your phone battery or the way you hold your phone can reveal a lot about yourself. Understanding our phone habits is also taking us one step closer to understanding ourselves. So the next time you pick up your phone, think about your habits and what they reveal about you.
