Technology Addiction

Lately, I have realized that I have been spending way too much time on my IPhone. I check emails, Facebook, other apps all the time. I try not to text and drive but my phone is almost always in my lap and once in a while I’m glancing at it and checking messages. This morning, I had a 40 minute drive to work and I forced myself to put my phone away and turn off the radio and just be in the moment. Why is this so hard to do now? I constantly feel like I need to be “on”—afraid that I will miss something important. I was thinking that I need to put a label on my phone case that says, “Shelley, your life is not in here.” It’s the truth- my life is not inside this piece of technology but I have been acting like it is. My phone now gives me reports of my screen time each week and it is hard to acknowledge just how much time I spend- head down, scrolling through things on my phone.

I know many parents who have “screen time limits” set for their kids for their welfare and I have heard that for some parents that it is a huge battle to get their kids to stop using screens and do other things. But, what about us as adults? We have to monitor ourselves which honestly, is not always an easy thing to do. It is humbling to recognize when we have indulged too much on anything. We like to feel like we have things under control.

I know for myself that I am going to start praying about my own screen time and slowly set some limits on myself. This is hard to do when my work requires me to be connected to technology and I also have a business which means that I need to be available. But, there are times that I am swiping on the screen because I’m bored, tired or lonely and in those moments - I need to stop. I am considering creating a plan and starting small - like not checking my phone for 4 hours on Sundays. Or, limiting certain apps. I am not sure yet of my plan but this morning it became clear to me that I need to do something.

The times in my life that have been the most meaningful and beautiful have typically been technology free moments. Moments where I have been in nature, in prayer, caught up in music, laughing with a friend, playing with kids…. Those are the moments I want more of- true, real and deep connections.

As a life coach and counselor, I try to help others create meaningful and intentional lives. I know that I must continue to cultivate that within myself so that I can offer this sense of presence to others. I am here if you would like to talk about your life - I offer a free initial life coaching session and I promise I won’t check my messages while we talk. Let’s start gifting each other with real and genuine presence. Blessings and Love, Shelley