Mindful Living: Less Screen Time

Daily writing prompt

How do you manage screen time for yourself?

View all responses

If I’m being honest, I’ve always had a hard time with staying off of social media.  My phone is the first thing I reach for in the morning and the last thing I put down before bed.  I know it’s not the healthiest habit, but it’s something that has become second nature.  The funny thing is, I don’t even think about it.  My hand just reaches for the screen without a second thought. 

Lately, though, I’ve been trying to do things differently.  I started noticing how much time I was losing to my phone—all of the moments that slipped by while I was scrolling, numbing out, or comparing my life to someone else’s posts.  It wasn’t even that I wanted to be on my phone, it was just a habit.  It’s something that my brain does automatically when it’s bored, anxious, or overstimulated. 

Besides social media, I always have been known to be glued to the tube.  When I went through a really heavy depression, TV was my only distraction, my saving grace.  I’d watch for hours just binging shows and rewatching old movies.  The TV essentially became my companion.  It was the only thing that helped occupy my mind with other things rather than focusing solely on my depression and everything that caused it. 

So, I’ve been trying to make small changes.  I don’t scroll as much during the day anymore, nor do I watch that much TV.  Instead, I’ve been keeping myself busy with things that bring me joy.  Whether it’s cooking, reading, going for walks, or just sitting in silence for a bit.  I must admit that it’s been really nice being able to connect with the world around me, more aware of how I’m spending my time. 

I don’t think it’s something that I’ll ever master because I still catch myself getting lost in the endless scroll or hooked on the latest series.  But I’ve been reminding myself that I don’t need to be constantly connected to feel alive.  

The truth is, life is happening right here, right now.  It’s not behind a screen.  It’s in the moments we often miss when we’re looking down instead of around.