So many of us rely on our phones for more than just calls and texts.
We turn to them for information, to entertain us when we’re bored, to perk us up when the day is hard, to comfort us in moments of anxiety, to make us smile. We even sleep with them resting on the other pillow. It makes me wonder, shouldn’t it be another human filling those roles?
I appreciate all that technology has done for us. It’s amazing now to be connected to anyone, anywhere. Through technology we can explore opportunities that never existed before, and create bonds with people all over the country and the world. Work, health, productivity…technology has enhanced so much for so many.
But there is no denying that sometimes the 24/7/365 connectedness can have drawbacks. It is so easy to use a phone as a crutch, to escape from unpleasant moments in life. Pulling out your phone creates a defensive barrier of personal space. But boredom and awkwardness are part of the human experience. You can’t make them disappear. Those moments when you have nothing to do, when you’re on your own in public – those used to be the times when spontaneous things would happen. You would strike up a conversation with a stranger. You would notice the people around you, and wonder about them or reach out to them.
Beyond that, I wonder if the non-stop communications possible through the phone on texts and social media create a false sense of intimacy. Having a dozen superficial conversations all day long does not replace the emotional power of having a deep conversation with a soul mate. Sometimes the lure of the phone can be so distracting, we miss out on realizing how lonely we really are.
If you’ve developed a case of screen addiction, I challenge you to put your phone down for a while. Look at the world around you. Be observant, and feel gratitude for what you see. It might give you a whole new perspective on life, and open you up to meeting some amazing people.
