After arriving at the Starry Night coffee shop and settling into my favorite chair, I realized I’d forgotten my phone. I’ve done this now a couple times over the past two weeks. It was interesting (almost frightening) to observe how often I reached for that phone but more frightening at how often I thought about it. These two episodes have sent a loud message as to how attached I am to that small device, as if its tendrils are wrapped around me. I made it through the two hours without it, no one got hurt and I actually was able to spend more time in my journal. Out of curiosity, I checked when I got home with the Screen Time Report on my phone (be warned of what that report may tell you) and it told me I was staring at the screen for an average of 2 hours and 56 minutes last week. In a posture of justification, at least 40 minutes a day is attributed to my meditation timer but still… In my mind this tells me I spend 2 hours a day not present to the world around me. Pretty scary to realize how attached I am to that thing. It also asks the question, “How did we survive without them?” Thinking I need to write more about this. Anyway, hoping you have a great day, with or without your phone!
4 Comments
Earl
Monte, while those numbers are concerning to you, they likely pale compared to the current generation’s usage of mobile devices. As shown in your photo, many young individuals spend much of their free time engrossed in their phones. We notice it every day. As a side note, man, those college students look young! LOL
Monte Stevens
Yes, I looked at some of the numbers on phone usage and I am way down in my numbers. I don’t want to increase those numbers reduce them. It find it easy for me to judge others when I really need to look my own life. I am seeing how I missed out on many aspects of my life because I was not present to the moments. So, at this juncture of my life, I’m living with an intent on being more in the here and now, participating in my life, which means spending less time in my head or on my phone or both. It’s a lifelong process but practicing it is quite the adventure. And, you are correct the college students seem to be getting younger and younger!!!!
Tom Dills
Sorry it took me so long to comment, but I was looking at my phone…. 😉
Phones are a useful tool when used as a tool, but as you’ve discovered they are often used more for entertainment than anything. And while young people are prolific users, my observations have suggested that older folks like us are often far more distracted by our phones than the yunguns.
Monte Stevens
I was wondering what took you so long. I have also observed a number of adults distracted by their phones and include myself in that list.