Why I want to break up with my phone
I've been realizing lately that I'm more than just a little addicted to my phone. I pick it up for no reason at all during the day, just to look at it, or when I have nothing to do it's my go-to "activity".
I have heard and read many articles that talk about how when we over-use smartphones that it stunts our emotional health, gives us a worse attention span, takes up most of our time, and leaves us feeling un-accomplished, depressed, lonely, etc.
I started listening to the book "How to break up with your phone" by Catherine Price a few days ago (you can buy it here, get it on Audible here - think link will give you a free book with a free 30 day trial so you won't even have to pay for it, or just get it from your local library), and it has opened my eyes. If you do this challenge, you really should read, or listen, to this book. It has been a game changer for me.
She starts by saying that the break up is basically like when you have a friend tell you all the reasons the relationship that you're in isn't healthy, and you're super annoyed that they're saying that, but by the end you know it's true so you have to break up with them. But then afterward, it's about creating a healthier relationship in the future. That's my goal with this 30 day challenge.
She talks about how the average person in America spends FOUR HOURS on their phone every single day. FOUR HOURS. So I downloaded an app to see how much time I spent on my phone.
Wanna know the depressing amount? Three and a half hours. Yup. And mostly it comes in a few minute increments. I just pick up my phone to look at nothing and then spend a few minutes wasting time looking at noting, and at the end of the day I've wasted 3 1/2 hours doing nothing.
She talks about how if you spend 4 hours a day doing anything, you'll become really proficient at it. So imagine all of the things you could accomplish or skills you could learn if you cut out the phone and instead did something else.
I don't want to get rid of my smartphone and I don't think that it's bad to have one or to use it, but I know for myself, I have a completely unhealthy and dependent relationship with my phone. I want to balance it better in my life and be able to enjoy it but not need it or look at it for no reason at all. I want to use it for social media, but not 40 times a day. I want to still listen to audio books and talks, but be ok with silence. I want to use it for directions but never ever have the urge to look at it or text on it while driving.
All that being said, I'd love to have some company on my journey, and I'd love to also help spread awareness.
It kind of kills me inside when I go out and about and see every single person just looking at their phone instead of engaging with each other, looking at their surroundings, reading a book, or strengthening friendships.
Phones are awesome and helpful devices, but we're starting to take the human experience out of life. And I for one miss it and want to make sure my kids have it.
So if you're in, comment below! I'll be posting daily whatever assignment she gives and journaling my own thoughts and experiences and I'd love to hear yours as well. Feel free to invite anyone else to join and let's break up with our phones!
I have heard and read many articles that talk about how when we over-use smartphones that it stunts our emotional health, gives us a worse attention span, takes up most of our time, and leaves us feeling un-accomplished, depressed, lonely, etc.
I started listening to the book "How to break up with your phone" by Catherine Price a few days ago (you can buy it here, get it on Audible here - think link will give you a free book with a free 30 day trial so you won't even have to pay for it, or just get it from your local library), and it has opened my eyes. If you do this challenge, you really should read, or listen, to this book. It has been a game changer for me.
She starts by saying that the break up is basically like when you have a friend tell you all the reasons the relationship that you're in isn't healthy, and you're super annoyed that they're saying that, but by the end you know it's true so you have to break up with them. But then afterward, it's about creating a healthier relationship in the future. That's my goal with this 30 day challenge.
She talks about how the average person in America spends FOUR HOURS on their phone every single day. FOUR HOURS. So I downloaded an app to see how much time I spent on my phone.
Wanna know the depressing amount? Three and a half hours. Yup. And mostly it comes in a few minute increments. I just pick up my phone to look at nothing and then spend a few minutes wasting time looking at noting, and at the end of the day I've wasted 3 1/2 hours doing nothing.
She talks about how if you spend 4 hours a day doing anything, you'll become really proficient at it. So imagine all of the things you could accomplish or skills you could learn if you cut out the phone and instead did something else.
I don't want to get rid of my smartphone and I don't think that it's bad to have one or to use it, but I know for myself, I have a completely unhealthy and dependent relationship with my phone. I want to balance it better in my life and be able to enjoy it but not need it or look at it for no reason at all. I want to use it for social media, but not 40 times a day. I want to still listen to audio books and talks, but be ok with silence. I want to use it for directions but never ever have the urge to look at it or text on it while driving.
All that being said, I'd love to have some company on my journey, and I'd love to also help spread awareness.
It kind of kills me inside when I go out and about and see every single person just looking at their phone instead of engaging with each other, looking at their surroundings, reading a book, or strengthening friendships.
Phones are awesome and helpful devices, but we're starting to take the human experience out of life. And I for one miss it and want to make sure my kids have it.
So if you're in, comment below! I'll be posting daily whatever assignment she gives and journaling my own thoughts and experiences and I'd love to hear yours as well. Feel free to invite anyone else to join and let's break up with our phones!
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