I said yes to way to many of the questions which made me realize I spend to much time on my phone for my own good. Time I could spend doing more enjoyable and fullfilling things.
Though part of the reason I check my messges right after waking up is work related. I'm a supply EA(educational assistant) and getting into the messages about where needs an EA helps me be employed and get work at the schools I like the best. However, I'm gonna try to breack that habit on non-work days or days when I already have a job lined up. The phone can wait until I've at least made breakfast.
The one app I find does help me is Sleep town. It's to help reduce smartphone use around bed time. When you start the app it starts constructing a building and if you disturb it, the building turns to rubble and if you don't finish the construction in time you also get rubble.
Your advice about making the phone boring is vital as well. I deleted a bunch of apps a while back cause I knew I was spending to much unfullfilling time on them. I think another assassement of apps is in order.
Thank you for writing this post, it made me reflect on my phone usage.
I didn't know about these things. It sounds a bit the same as forest, where you plant and grow trees while not using your phone. If it helps, it helps!
You're welcome. It's good to sometimes take a look at some of our habits.