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We’ll spend approximately nine years of our lives on our phones. This statistic is more horrifying than the oft-cited fact that we’ll spend six months of our lives at red lights because as humans, we’re pretty powerless over these devices -- after all, they’re engineered to be addictive by some of the smartest minds in the world. How do we fix that?
I buy into all the digital minimalism hype -- that blue light destroys our sleep, phones erode our happiness, and our nighttime routines would generally be more productive if we left devices out of the bedroom. I’ve hunted for a great alarm for as long as I can remember, but truthfully, I have three clocks rotting in a drawer.
Enter: the Loftie alarm clock -- a multifunctional gadget that has refreshed my sleep, focused my workspace, and looks pretty damn good sitting on my nightstand.
The Solution To Insomnia We All Desperately Need
As we exist in a significantly more phone-oriented society, it’s difficult to set hard and fast rules about usage. During the pandemic, others became accustomed to being able to reach us at any hour; technology was our news source, our entertainment, and even our social connection. While we may have entertained “breaking up with our phones” at some point, the past year has made that pretty unlikely.
As a spatial person (and subtle workaholic), I lacked boundaries between work and rest this year. Instead of office/home or school/home providing a definitive line, I suddenly relied on the moment when I closed my laptop to cue the end of my day, which got later and later. I stretched my work hours longer and gave myself less time to wind down.
Frustrated, exhausted, and constantly plugged in, I hunted for ways to minimize my screen time. I always loved the idea of using an alarm clock, but could never quite get myself to make the leap. Even with an alarm clock, I’d fall asleep with my phone beside me. There was always an excuse. With blue light shining directly onto my retinas, it’s no wonder that my insomniac tendencies blossomed.
When I stumbled across Loftie, the anti-phone philosophies rang true to my needs. Instead of being a supplemental block on my nightstand, this sleek alarm aimed to replace the emotional crutch of being on my phone at night by providing a more personal and dynamic experience. With thoughtful, sharp details like a blackout mode and ability to schedule alarms on different days, Loftie promised the all-in-one smart clock both my body and mind craved. Loftie isn’t only an alarm; it’s also a nightlight and white noise machine loaded with meditation playlists, breathwork, sound baths -- and it has a sleep timer, to ensure a seamless bedtime experience.
Loftie isn’t only an alarm; it’s also a nightlight and white noise machine loaded with meditation playlists, breathwork, sound baths -- and it has a sleep timer, to ensure a seamless bedtime experience.
Easing Into The Alarm
When it arrived, the Loftie itself looked small and unassuming for its $149 price tag. Even its packaging reminded me how purposeful each feature was. The box included multiple plug adaptors for travel and utility. I marveled over the clean, aesthetic design (with a soft golden light at the bottom to toggle on and off) and the “Less Screen More Dream” tagline.
The mail arriving around noon was a severe disappointment, because I couldn’t wait to go to bed.
Setup was a little tricky because of the WiFi component. Apparently, separate devices can frustrate regular networks, so I never got the Loftie onto my home internet. I ultimately got around it by generating a personal hotspot from my phone for the initial process. I worried that the Loftie wouldn’t function properly if I didn’t have it connected, but it was smooth sailing after that.
I’m hoping future software updates bring more clarity and assistance to the opaque setup process. The app’s walkthrough showed me what should be on the screen, but didn’t have much troubleshooting. Ultimately, I just reconnect the alarm to my hotspot to check for updates and to remotely change wakeup times or sounds from the handy Loftie for iPhone app. (Ironically, Loftie proves the phone/alarm connection can be used for good instead of evil.)
the duo nature of the tones was an ideal solution for my subconscious morning sabotage. It reminded me pleasantly of the digital tones of scrolling -- a pleasant beeping that was intentional without being jarring. Unlike a traditional clock, there’s also an array of adjustable tones, ensuring a fit for every sleeper.
The Loftie utilizes a two-phase alarm system: one to gently nudge you out of sleep, and one to get you moving. For a gal who often rolls over and angrily unplugs the alarm at 6AM for not doing my bidding, the duo nature of the tones was an ideal solution for my subconscious morning sabotage. It reminded me pleasantly of the digital tones of scrolling -- a pleasant beeping that was intentional without being jarring. Unlike a traditional clock, there’s also an array of adjustable tones, ensuring a fit for every sleeper.
Love At First Listen
Your Loftie isn’t just for the morning. I’ve used it during all times of day: a functionality lacking from other sleep hygiene devices.
Loftie aims to bring the best of your phone to the bedroom, without the included distraction. The Loftie clock satisfies our need for dynamic content by continually updating its included soundscapes, meditations, and other audible features. Unlike a regular clock, your Loftie regularly refreshes, incorporating an array of wellness materials that can ease you into a nighttime routine, start your morning on the right foot, or even provide a soothing backdrop to drown out roommates during the era of Zoom meetings. As they update, your device will too.
My personal favorite is using my Loftie as a white or pink noise machine during the daytime (bonus points for the redwoods soundscape), and listening to a meditation before bed. Although I’ve tried to meditate in the past using my iPhone, the alluring dopamine rush of a social app often won out over my focus -- so using an alarm clock to access a session is the perfect solution to root it in routine.
Suddenly, I own my nights (and mornings) again.
5 More Reasons To Love The Loftie:
- The aesthetic is sleek, polished, and minimal on any nightstand. It’s on a mission to make our tech less intrusive, and even the design is a reminder.
- The extra features are anything BUT minimal. With soundscapes, meditations, speaker capability, and remote control, it has everything we demand from our phones -- without the scrolling.
- In an era dominated by remote work, the Loftie provides a neat, easy way to divide your headspace and actually unplug in the evening.
- The customizable tones and two-alarm system ensure a friendly wake up for every sleeper.
- For those wanting to meditate but lacking the discipline, it’s a new, fresh option to incorporate mindfulness into the daily routine.
