It hit me like a runaway truck…

I remember it clearly.  Of course I do.  It was only a few months ago.  Maybe it has hit you as well.  Sunday morning.  Around 10:00 AM.  That little notification on your phone that pops up showing screen time.  And I didn’t like what I saw.  Just over four hours of screen time per day.  Wait.  What?  How?  No way.  Not me.  There is no way that I was on my phone for four hours each day.

So I dug deeper…

I unlocked the phone in my angst to see how this was even possible.  Because I knew I had not spent 28 hours on my phone that week.  Or had I?  As I dug deeper, I realized that I hadn’t actually been using it for 28 hours, but the facts were the facts.  And the facts were that I had spent way too much time on my phone.  We were traveling that week and it counted all the time that Google Maps was open and all the time that I was listening to podcasts.  So the actual time staring at my phone was much less.

But there was reason to sound the alarm…

Because the truth was that I had spent almost 15 hours that week on various social media platforms.  Sure I can use the excuse that I was working on growing my LinkedIn page and trying to get some good content out there, but 15 hours?  No.  I wasn’t ok with that.

The truth hurt…

And the truth was that I was allowing myself to be a free-range phone user. Just pick it up whenever.  For whatever reason. Any time.  Any place. Something I have done way too much in the past.  And something Is suspect I will always struggle with.  And the statistics are there.  Screen time, while it can be skewed based on background apps running, doesn’t lie.  According to a recent study, 46% of people ADMIT to using their phones 5-6 hours per day for non-work related things.

So I guess that should make me feel better…

But it doesn’t!  Why?  Because I know that for those 15 hours that week, I wasn’t available to anyone else.  I was largely zoned out with my digital pacifier.  And before you go accusing me of being anti-phone, here’s the truth.  I am not.  Not at all.  Recently, on our trip to Utah, I took at least 300 pictures of the leaves turning colors, the mountains, and the experiences, so that I would have those memories.  And I use social media to have an impact on the world through posting good content.

And you are likely reading this on your phone…

And that is a good thing!  I am not anti-phone.  But I am for responsible use of our phones and realizing what they are doing to our time and our attention.  So what do we do about runaway screen time?

I ask a simple question…

When my phone is in my pocket and I feel the urge to get it out, I ask a simple question.  Why am I picking this up?  Easy question, right?  Why am I picking this up.  If there is a purpose, GREAT!  If I am picking it up to mindlessly zone out and avoid the realities of life, not so good.  No bueno.

Have I mastered phone use?

Heck no!  I struggle with it.  I suspect I always will.  But I am aware that I often pick it up just to zone out when I could be doing something to take care of myself instead.  Going for a walk.  Taking a few deep breaths.  Letting my brain idle for a few minutes.  Instead of always being stimulated.

Here’s my challenge for you…

Ask the question.  Especially when you are around family or friends.  Why am I picking this up?  What is so important that it is worth leaving the moment? And if you do pick it up, that is totally fine!  Just be conscious that you have left the moment and that, for the sake of those around you, it might be good to re-enter it sooner rather than later.  Life is about self-awareness.  And we can’t work on a problem if we aren’t first aware of it.

Phone use seems to spike…

When we are stuck.  When we feel we need an escape.  So if you are stuck, reach out.  Let’s have a conversation and get you believing that good days are ahead!  And by the way… I believe in you!  You have greatness inside of you.  And today is the first day of the rest of your life.  Don’t forget to #WINtheNOW!