This piece is part of a short series in which I’m documenting my experience of putting myself on a phone diet. For a week, I’m publishing a short daily reflection on my experience.
Sunday 12 February
Today I’m realising just to what extent my phone has infiltrated my life, squeezing itself even into the tiny moments. If it weren’t for the diet, I would’ve put a podcast on just to floss my teeth this morning! At first, I get a touch irritated and irritable at having to do these short tasks without something to make them interesting. Yet, as I do them, I’m finding that the tasks aren’t as boring as I thought they were. Sans phone, my senses are noticing more - I can enjoy the view out my window or listen to the satisfying scrubbing sound as I brush my teeth, for instance. These moments are invitations to get present. I guess I’ve been overstimulating my brain with content for so long that it’s always wanting more. Now it’s a matter of making it search for what’s interesting rather than handing interest to it on a plate (or a phone, as the case may be).
I was sure that my phone wasn’t interfering with my relationships with my family. I don’t take my phone to the dinner table and I remove my earbuds if someone is in the room with me for more than a moment. However, I’ve noticed small ways that it might be a barrier. For example, although we usually eat together around the table, on Sunday nights, we eat dinner while watching sports. Sport isn’t an interest of mine so I usually sit in the room next door and watch something that appeals to me on YouTube, using my phone. Tonight, I joined my family in front of the tv for dinner. Admittedly, I flipped through a magazine but I watched replays of goals and joined in with some of the conversation about what was happening. At least I was in the room and available. I wonder in which other small ways I’ve allowed my phone to disconnect me from my family that I haven’t been aware of?
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