Hello friends!

Have you ever received those notifications on your phone, reporting your daily screen time? If you’re like me, you are completely astonished by that amount of time. It’s quite obvious that our phones are used for so many different functions that we dearly depend on. Let’s face it, most of us couldn’t get across town without using our phone GPS, or would we dare try a new restaurant without first checking its reviews from our phones? Heck, we even pay for most things from our phones. I could go on and on with all the various ways we lean on our phones to get us through the day.

I am fully aware that cell phones are here to stay…at least for the foreseeable future. Don’t worry I’m not going to challenge all of you to fast from your phone for lent season. Rather, I hope you will join me in becoming more aware of our aimless time spent on social media and how it’s become almost an obsession for many of us. I know our society’s obsession with screen time, particularly social media, is not a new topic to many of you. For those of you who know me, know that I happen to LOVE social media and use it socially, as well as, professionally for various jobs and internships. I believe social media is also here to stay!

As I began this blog topic regarding phone and social media usage, I was prompted to look at my own screen time. That day my usage was 6 hours! WOW! I won’t lie, I was a bit embarrassed and ashamed by that. Not to mention I spend almost 3 hours every day posting on social media for this blog project, looking at statistics, etc…

Since starting this blog, my screen time has increased exponentially. However, I find myself at times becoming overly focused on gaining more followers, likes, or comments. Side note, in a way I am required to because I get graded on every click I receive. (Not sure this is a healthy way to be graded) But don’t we all fall into this trap from time to time? We often wonder why we didn’t get a certain amount of likes or we even have an app to know all the people who unfollow us. Why do these things matter? They don’t. Society is lying to us. I’ve come to realize this misguided focus or aka…obsession is robbing me of time spent in real and meaningful connections with people. I never step away from using social media thinking, “Wow, that filled me up” or “I can’t wait to connect with that person again.” Or better yet, “that was such a meaningful interaction.” 

There’s no doubt that our cell phones have almost become a physical part of our being. We wouldn’t dare leave home without it! Have you ever gotten your phone stolen? Has your phone completely broken down? Well, long story short my phone was stolen at the good ole Broadway here in Nashville, Tennessee. I spent the whole next day pissed at this Verizon guy named Kyle, that was being a total a** by the way. He wasn’t showing the proper amount of empathy for my devastating situation. Nevertheless, it felt like my world had ended. It was as though I was completely lost and couldn’t function without it. There might have even been a few tears shed in the Verizon store that day.  I’ll blame that on Kyle:). How sad and pathetic is that? What type of person are you when things get uncomfortable? What happens when things don’t go your way? We often feel paralyzed!  

There’s no denying that social media plays a significant role in our society’s burning desire to ‘fit in’ or obtain material things. Who has the newest Bronco or cutest pair of Lululemon leggings? I am not implying that material ‘things’ aren’t nice to possess, because boy oh boy do I love shopping and shiny new things. However, I do get caught up in this behavior more than I wish to admit. I have to be so intentional as to not let this spiral out of control. I know I’m not alone. My point in all of this is that we depend way too much on our phones and social media at times. Don’t get me wrong, social media and technology are magnificent things. We can Facetime someone across the world. Most jobs revolve around technology. My encouragement is that we need to reevaluate our focus and draw a line. 

When I reflect on just this past year, I am reminded of what has brought me the most joy. It’s not my connections on social media but rather the long walks with my sister and other deep and meaningful conversations with friends. Nothing can beat those belly laughs with friends. Those are the moments that I want to be intentional about creating. My encouragement to you is to remember to make those moments every day. Whether it is cooking dinner with your boyfriend, checking in on a neighbor, or going out of your way to connect with a professor.  Those are the moments where we are impacted, as well as, impacting others the most. 

Let’s ask ourselves, what if we were to receive a phone notification sharing our daily usage for authentic-time spent with others one on one? That my friends would be a shift for all of us!

Comment down below some ways you are going to carve out time to have intentional moments with friends/ family/ or yourself.