Greetings all…
Long work week, but the good thing is one more day left, until a two-day break from it all. So, as those who have been keeping up know, I have eight more days until this FB/Instagram/Reddit/etc social media break OFFICIALLY ends. One major thing I have learned up to now is that it turns out it wasn’t just the social media scrolling that I thought was the issue. What I believe the truer issue is…constantly having the phone in my hand which leads to said scrolling every time I subconsciously needed that “dopamine hit”.
I came across an interesting article a few days ago that I purposely saved for this blog post – one that I find totally ironic. The title of the article is
Use the New Tools in iOS 12 and Android 9 Pie to Fight Your Phone Addiction.
I think you may be able to understand why I find this ironic. I do get it, in that the said features in both operating systems are supposed to make you aware of how much time your spending surfing, scrolling, clicking, and the like, in hopes that, in time, you will spend less time doing it. Thing is, the very thing it is trying to get you to do…involves the same tool you are trying to get away from.
For me, I have no interest in the tools. What I do have an interest for is continuing what I have attempted over the last week and that is just to “put the phone down”. Foundationally, it’s that simple…no?
My mom is staying with us for sometime, I sat down to eat dinner after I came home from work today and (this is a perfect example) pulled out my phone to check my Twitter feed while my plate was in front of me. In true “nother mode” she says…”Can’t you eat without your phone in your hand?” She was timely (as usual), but this time…so very, very correct.
That has been my biggest insight out of this sabbatical…admitting that I subconsciously had some form of FOMO, something I always said I didn’t have. Realizing and admitting it’s something to be dealt with, I’m up for overcoming the challenge.
Thoughts?
Thanks for the read…
peace,
Fresh!
I can definitely relate to FOMO and have faced that during my sabbatical. And I’ve stopped pulling out my phone at the table, mainly so I can tell my children to put away their tablet/DS while setting the positive example.
Teaching by example is often the best way, for sure. Great point.
As always you hit the nail on the head. Now since not using FB and IG while with my colleagues at work the phone is less in my hands. I am guilty in regards to checking Twitter. 😀 A couple of nights ago I was out to dinner with my Queen and my phone was on the table and not once did I glance at it. Even when I went to the restroom I left it at the table. LOL (TMI I know but know how we keep it real.)
Another thing I noticed while looking around the restaurant, more people were conversing with one another and not staring at their phones. That made me smile.
Another cool post my Brother. This has been an insightful, fun, self discovery journey. 🙂