Do You Own Your Phone—or Does It Own You?
The Device That Changed Everything
Some may say it is the downfall of society as we know it. Others may believe it is the piece of technology that has propelled our society farther ahead than we could have ever imagined in the short span of 25yrs.
One thing is for sure. It has changed life as we know it. It has rewritten the landscape of communication and our availability to each other. It has basically become the microchip that we all voluntarily bring with us just about everywhere we go. It's so easy to distract, dissociate, strengthening the false ideal that everyone should be available 24/7 and if you aren't responded to immediately, you must not be important.
How It Hooked Us
Whatever we want, we can basically get it at the opening of an app. Instant gratification: Instant Messenger; Instant Information; Food delivered to your doorstep. Products purchased without leaving your house. Games to distract you for hours. Health metrics; Sleep data; Diets, food tracking, product ratings from a CPU scan. Directions, you'll never need to know how to read a map again. Need a calculator? Camera? Alarm clock? Flashlight? Level? Compass? Measurement? Something to read? A guided meditation? Something to watch? How to do a DIY project? Identify a plant? Have you gotten the gist?! I haven't even made a direct reference, but I'd imagine you have a pretty solid idea on what I'm referring to at this point.
The Ubiquitous Companion
Yes my friends. The technological miracle that fits in our pocket: The Cellular Phone. I have one. I'm not here to tell you to exile your cellphone. They are essentially necessary to get by in the connected world: Air travel; concert tickets; sporting events; parking. To gain access almost anywhere this pocket sized wonder is the requirement. So it may seem far-fetched to completely detach from our mobile devices, but what I would like to offer is a suggestion. A reframing. An overhaul of our relationships with our cellphones.
Technology and Boundaries
Boundaries. This term has gained a lot of momentum in the realm of relationships in recent years. But sometimes it's easy to forget about our relationships with the inanimate objects that exist within our world and our realities. Let's face it, technology, social media and cellphones are deeply woven into the fabric of our lives, shaping how we work, connect, and unwind. But it's vital to ask: are we shaping our relationship with technology, or is it shaping us? So maybe the first place to start is an inventory with our mobile devices. A few questions we might want to consider asking ourselves:
When was the last time you powered down your phone (not just restarted)?
When was the last time you voluntarily left it behind?
Is it always by your side?
Do you wear a smart watch? Are you always connected?
How much time do you spend scrolling out of boredom?
When was the last time you sat in a waiting room without pulling out your phone?
How often do you play games on your phone?
These questions are simply invitations to reflect. No judgement. Only awareness. And as we bring mindfulness to this area of our lives, we can begin to have more intentionality with how we use our cellphones, how we connect with the world around us.
A Personal Reflection
In my own reshaping of the relationship with my device I've set some boundaries that I'll share with you. No games of any kind on my cell. No cellphones at meals. No phone on runs, walks or strolls in nature. Driving within 1 mile of my home? Cell stays behind. Going to yoga? Not there either. And this week's microshift is another boundary I'm beginning to set: no cellphone in the bedroom during sleeping hours. I've decided to start using an alarm clock instead. Yes, these changes can at first feel like giant uncomfortable leaps, almost incomprehensible. But with practice we start to loosen our grip. We get a little less tethered. And begin to bring our eyes to the beauty of what's surrounding us.
Why It Matters
The key lies in how we interact with the digital world- finding balance and intention so the fabric doesn't become a straightjacket. Mindful tech use isn't just about choice; it's an act of self-care and preservation in today's hyper-connected world.
How do you create boundaries with technology in your daily life?
This week I invite you to explore your own pathway to creating a little more space between you and your digital world.
