It's okay to stare. // Instead of being engrossed in my phone, I actually looked around. And I noticed so many things that I would have missed otherwise – like how many shades of green there are this spring, the guy that held the tram door for that girl making a run for it in heels, the flowers blooming through the crack in our building's doorstep, and the pure joy radiating from a street musician jamming on the saxophone.
Thinking is rad. // And I think way more when I'm not constantly on my phone. I'm thinking in line at the grocery store and on my walk home. During lunch and before I get out of bed in the morning. Instead of mindlessly scrolling through emails or social media, I actually ponder and question things. And it makes me feel more human.
I'm happier. // But seriously. Social media encourages comparison – and I was doing just that without even knowing it. Well, the reality is that I have so many things to celebrate in my life daily. And there's a lot more celebrating those things these days rather than focusing on what's going on with everyone else.
Peace at last. // My mind isn't distracted by noise. You know, the kind that doesn't make sound but clouds your mind anyway. Collecting my thoughts, focusing on a conversation, and simply being still is more natural and peaceful. I'm less distracted and more present.
It gets easier. // Making the decision to put my phone down was easy but implementing it was not. It's a matter of breaking habits and getting used to a world where I'm not absorbing EVERYONE'S thoughts – but creating them for myself.
Want to get off your phone too? Commit to two weeks of using it less – whether it's not checking it before you go to bed, while you're in the bathroom (you know you do it), standing in line at the grocery store, or first thing in the morning. After those two weeks are over, reflect on how you started using your time. You won't be disappointed – I promise.
