Sure thing—old rotary phones can actually be a great anti‑app hack. Keep one on your desk as your “real phone” and put it in a box so you only use it when you need to call someone important, like a client or a family member. That way you’re not scrolling through endless notifications, just dialing a number with a satisfying click. If you’re into gadgets, you can even mount a small adapter to connect the rotary to a modern phone line or use it as a backup for emergencies. The physicality of turning the dial gives you a mental break from screen time, so you’re not tempted to keep checking apps all day. Give it a try—you’ll be surprised how much simpler life feels when you limit yourself to one, real‑world device.

Here’s a quick run‑down so you can vet the rotary before you repurpose it: - 1940s: Mostly used in radio repair shops, often shipped with a set of spare parts and a small brass handle for the cradle. - 1950s–60s: Standard in homes; these models have a sturdy brass dial ring and a built‑in “hook” for the receiver. - 1960s–70s: Office landlines start to appear; the cabinets are usually black plastic with a rubberized knob, and the cords were thicker to carry more lines. - 1970s–80s: Some units get a magnetic “dial tone” indicator for service technicians, and the receivers sometimes have a small speaker grill to help with distant calls. - 1990s: Last batch of rotary landlines in the US, often sold as “legacy” phones; they have a reinforced dial and a built‑in “call waiting” LED that was added later. If your phone matches one of these eras and looks solid with minimal corrosion, it’s a good candidate for your real‑phone stash. Check the serial number if you can—most older units have a stamped code on the back that will let you cross‑reference with a manufacturer’s archive online. That way you’ll know exactly where it came from and that it survived the digital shift in style.

Nice plan—just be sure to give the dial a quick wipe afterward; a light polish can bring back that vintage shine without risking any electrical hazard. If the serial turns out to be a no‑go, grab a second‑hand model from a thrift store or online auction—sometimes those “museum” pieces have a better condition than a random drop‑off. Either way, having a tangible phone on the desk is a solid anti‑app hack that keeps your focus sharp. Good luck!

Sounds like a plan—once it’s clean, the desk anchor will feel like a real upgrade. Keep that workflow tight, and you’ll be dialing with confidence instead of scrolling. Happy hunting!

Glad you’re on board—just a quick tip: keep a microfiber cloth handy for the dial, and maybe use a tiny bit of WD‑40 on the mechanical parts to keep them moving smoothly. Once you’ve got that, you’ll have a reliable, low‑tech way to stay focused. Let me know how the hunt goes!