#54 | Are phones a distraction from life?
Hello friend -
This newsletter will be personal and, I think, relevant to most of you.
You know, among my 2022 well-being resolutions, most of which are usual – exercising more, consuming less sugar – there is one which has never been on the list before: "no phone in bed and less screen time."
Now raise your hand (even though I can't see it) if screen time is something you have been trying to address as well?
Yesterday I came across this quote, which is both accurate and sad:
"Phones are a distraction from life. Or life is a distraction from phones."
It is scary, isn't it?
Next time you are in public transport, a restaurant, or simply walking outside – look around. It may look like you are surrounded by people for whom life would be a distraction from their phones.
Something is disturbing about it.
Phones (with all their tools and apps) are good and are extremely useful.
Phones (with all their tools and apps) can be highly addictive.
Switching between apps and work you do – 'which is beautifully labeled as multitasking' – can cause mental fatigue and a drop in your IQ by 10%.
Let alone the fact that the content we are often served in our news feeds – can be compared to 'cheap candies.' They create a temporary sense of satisfaction short term but lead to a stronger sense of hunger for more.
Are we for real gradually becoming addicts and mental prisoners of our phones?
Trust me, I don't have a solution, and I don't want to deny technological advances and live in a cave. But I invite you for a conversation.
How do you manage your screen time?
Below are my initial thoughts on how to start exploring this issue:
Awareness. Facing the truth. Are you on the phone all the time? Do you have unease when you do not check email or chat notifications?
Are you a master of your phone? Or a servant to your phone?
Do you check your phone within 5 minutes of waking up?
Are you someone who can't imagine going to the bathroom without your phone?
Do you feel like something should be changed?
Set intention. Can you design your own diet of the content you consume?
Increase friction in using some of the apps – those that leave you empty and sad for no reason.
Find a substitute. Morning pages? Journaling? Reading?
Start small. I am doing #no_phone_in_bed for the whole February.
Enjoy your day. Enjoy being.
Katia