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The New York Times ran an article last week about technology overuse titled, “Save Us From Our Phones!” It was about the amount of time we spend online and how it is impacting our lives and our relationships. Google itself is working on a new tool to help users keep track of their internet use. This conversation isn’t new. I remember hearing adults talk about it back in high school when kids were plugged into iPods 24/7. These days, we’ve replaced our iPods with iPhones. I love technology, of course. Using my camera to take photographs is one of my greatest joys. I use my laptop to blog about those adventures and my iPhone to share the images on Instagram. Looking at other photographs and reading articles brings me happiness. But is it too much?
The simple question to ask at the end of the day is, “was it time well spent?”
If I regret the way I used my day, then the answer is yes. It is too much. If you find that you miss time spent with friends, that you haven’t had a real conversation in a while, or that you are not reaching your own personal goals, then perhaps the technology is distracting you from living your life, not helping you live it better. I enjoy reading, but spending my morning reading on my cell phone is not the best use of my time in the mornings. Overall, it is not the best use of my life time.
Being plugged in can also harm our relationships. My husband is guilty of bringing his phone into bed at night to play games. He goes to bed with the intention of getting a good nights rest and finds himself staying up too late (and keeping me up too). I miss the conversations we could have in place of our phone time. A few days ago he came up with a plan to leave our cell phones downstairs at night. We haven’t implemented it yet (bad habits die hard), but we are working on making it a reality fir us this week.
Over the weekend I also had the opportunity to see one of my best friends who I haven’t seen in years since she moved to Chile. I met her precious three-year-old daughter and I learned all about her new life. We went for a long walk in the countryside of New York, spotting all sorts of plants, birds, frogs, salamanders, and toads. We talked about “Vitamin N” and the human need for time out in nature for health, happiness, and well-being. She even told me that she does not go online or check her phone during the day. That she waits until her daughter is asleep so she doesn’t see her checking her phone. I loved that idea. I was reminded of the happiness that simplicity brings. We spent the day in good company and focused on the important things like community, conversation, and nature. It was the perfect reminder that I needed to slow down my own life. I don’t have a toddler to set an example for, but I do have myself to take care of.
At the end of the day it was time well spent. The day seemed to last long without the distractions of our phones and other technology obstructing our time together. We have a limited time on this Earth. I want to ensure that my time, my lifetime, is spent well.
