A Millenial's Worst Nightmare

Yes, hi, hello, long time no see. I know I suck at blogging, but I am back because I want to share with you how one decision I made has really benefited me, and has assisted my growth by giving me time to think about what I want in life.

This sounds like a big, scary concept I know, but it's not. The decision to detach was pretty easy for me to make, but I did it in a couple of steps and I am still working on it every day. So, what's the decision you ask? Well, if you couldn't guess it from the title, I might as well tell you now: I put down my phone. 

"What does this mean? Be more specific, please."

Alright, here's the deal: A little over a week ago I was feeling really sad because I saw how all my friends were at home spending time together and I felt "stuck" at college, not to mention I felt really lonely. Of course I am surrounded by wonderful people, whom I adore, but with the stress of midterms, finals, and moving out I felt really homesick. I took a walk around the block to breathe in some fresh air and feel the sun to help me decipher why I was feeling so depressed. I knew the stress I was feeling because of college was not causing my sadness, it was the feeling of being left out. I had to acknowledge that going on social media was hurting my feelings, so to say, because I was seeing my friends having such a fun time with little responsibilities, while I was up until late into the night studying for midterms. *tangent* I know that people only post on social media what they want others to see, meaning people mostly post positive experiences, but it still really sucks feeling left out. 

So here is what I did:

1. I deleted Twitter, Facebook, and Snapchat off my phone. This step was easy because I already felt as though Twitter was such a time suck for me, and honestly I don't remember tweets I read a week ago, so personally it was a total waste of time. I deleted Snapchat because that's where a lot of my friends would post them all hanging out and I couldn't resist doing my hourly checks and then feeling crappy. 
2. I deleted YouTube off my phone. This was really hard for me because I love watching YouTube videos, but it was getting to the point where I would come back and watch an hour of YouTube to procrastinate from doing homework. I still watch YouTube now, but have to make a conscious effort to go on my computer and watch videos. 
3. I stopped taking my phone when doing homework. I do homework in the Community Center of my dorms so I really don't need it, and honestly I am so much more efficient and productive without the constant distraction of my phone just sitting there. (I did homework from 12:00-6:00 pm today with only two breaks)!
4. I try my best not to be on my phone while with friends. I am still working on this one, but think about it: if you're at dinner with someone and they have their phone on the table (or you're the one with your phone on the table), don't you think that kind of sends the message that "yeah you're important... until I get a notification on my phone." I mean, if you're in the presence of someone else don't be rude and waste their time, or make them feel less important. 

Don't get me wrong, I still have Instagram on my phone because I love looking at pictures that people post, and I check Snapchat, Facebook, and Twitter from time to time, but I don't spend endless hours mindlessly surfing the web anymore. 

With this decision I have become much more self-aware. Like I mentioned in my first post Embracing Solitude and Vulnerability, I now notice how often people stare at the tiny screen in their hands instead of discovering the world around them. Also, I have so much extra time in my day its crazy!!! Okay maybe not extra time, but I definitely am more productive, which is super neat especially since I have finals coming up in two weeks (haha). 

Anyways, I think I'm on some growth thing right now where I am prioritizing what is important to me (and I actually have time!). 

I would recommend putting your phone down, even if it is just for an hour a day. Leave it in your room while you eat your meal. Leave your phone in your car while you go to a restaurant or cafe and people watch. 

Leave your phone at home and enjoy life.


Update 7/19/17: I still haven't added any platforms back to my phone, and in fact, I've deleted Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat from my iPad too. I rarely use my phone because I spent time creating. Whether it's writing, yoga, walking my dogs, drawing, coloring, dancing, painting, or reading. Sure, I watch TV too from time to time, but being present and doing tasks that build my character and skill set are so much more rewarding than scrolling mindlessly through social media, reading posts that I won't remember a week from now. I really recommend this (even if you decide to add it back into your life later on).