I’m an Apple Watch newbie. Even though I own a MacBook, iPad, AirPods, and iPhone, I had never used an Apple Watch—until now. I decided to wear the Apple Watch Series 9 for a week to see if it could help me develop a healthier relationship with my iPhone and take better care of myself.
This particular model has cellular, so I could call and text without having my iPhone nearby. That alone was intriguing, especially considering my daily iPhone screen time is a staggering 9 hours and 3 minutes. Yikes.
“The Apple Watch really covers some key functions of my iPhone—calls, texts, music, Apple Pay. That is huge.”
Walking Without My Phone
I decided to test it out by going for a walk without bringing my iPhone. Surprisingly, I didn’t miss it at all. Normally, I bring my phone to listen to music and for safety. But the watch handled both, and that was kind of life-changing.
Using the Watch for Calls and Messages
I felt like a cool spy speaking into my watch, but for practical purposes, I used my AirPods to hear better. Messaging was a mixed bag.
- Voice dictation made my messages sound too serious.
- Typing letter-by-letter was frustrating on the tiny keyboard.
- Swipe typing felt like a revelation… until it didn’t always work either.
“What? This is life-changing, Sean.”
“Okay… nope.”
Still, I appreciated that I could read and respond to messages even without my iPhone nearby. I just preferred texting on my iPhone when I had the option.
Since I have the 41mm model (small wrists!), typing is a bit cramped. The 45mm version might be easier for others.
Spotify, Apple Pay, and Getting Around
Some things I really loved:
- Paying without a phone or wallet using Apple Pay.
- Listening to music on Spotify (though I wish I could search, not just pick saved or recommended songs).
- Using Maps on my wrist was incredibly helpful—especially since I lack a great sense of direction.
I even went to a concert without my iPhone. It helped me be more present, but I wouldn’t do it again. I briefly lost my friend, and while I could still text and call on the watch, my iPhone would’ve made things much easier.
The Power of Activity Rings
I used to hear people rave about closing their activity rings. Now I get it. One day, I was feeling pretty low when I got a reminder from my watch that I hadn’t moved much. It nudged me to go for a walk.
“Wanting to close those rings inspired me to get up and move… No regrets.”
It worked. I got fresh air, enjoyed a beautiful evening, and genuinely felt better.
Discovering the Mindfulness App
The Mindfulness app is great because:
- The sessions are short.
- They give you a quick mental reset.
- They help you check in with yourself.
Even if I didn’t do it every day, it still made a difference when I did.
Sleep Tracking: A Bit of a Mess
Let’s break it down:
| Challenge | Details |
|---|---|
| Comfort | Sleeping with the watch felt uncomfortable |
| Setup Confusion | Sleep tracking doesn’t work automatically—you have to set it up first |
| Motivation | The sleep data I got encouraged me to aim for 8 hours of sleep a night |
I didn’t realize I needed to set a sleep schedule and enable sleep focus mode. So, I only got three days of data, but even that was eye-opening.
Battery Life and Charging Routine
With heavy cellular use, the battery lasted me from around 10 AM to 10 or 11 PM. My charging strategy:
- Charge for 30 minutes before bed for sleep tracking
- Top off to 100% while getting ready in the morning
- Charges quickly from my laptop, which made daily charging manageable
On lighter usage days (closer to my iPhone), the battery could last a day and a half.
Did It Reduce My iPhone Screen Time?
Short answer: No.
In fact… it went up by 13%. 😬
“To reduce my screen time, I really need to go straight to the source—my iPhone and more specifically, TikTok.”
That’s another video for another time.
Key Takeaways
- The Apple Watch didn’t lower my screen time—but it transformed my relationship with self-care.
- I started moving more, practicing mindfulness, and even tracking sleep for the first time in a long while.
- It gave me tools and motivation to prioritize my physical and mental health.
That’s a pretty big win in just one week.
Customizing the Watch Face
Now that I’ve had it for two weeks, I’ve customized my watch face to make it more functional:
- Activity rings front and center
- Spotify right below (currently playing: “Feather” by Sabrina Carpenter)
- Quick access to workouts, phone, and messages
I also ordered a new watch band to better match my gold jewelry. Priorities.
And I just started using the camera remote feature, which is perfect for taking wide-angle shots on my iPhone’s back camera. It’s a game changer for framing photos by yourself.
Final Thoughts
Even though I’ve only scratched the surface of what the Apple Watch can do, it has already impacted my self-care habits in a big way. I feel more present, more active, and more mindful—and that’s a huge win.
Thanks for reading! If you want a follow-up about setting boundaries with social media and smartphones, let me know in the comments.