Breaking up… with my phone for the weekend.

Friends and followers
I read this article on Friday evening at around 6pm.

CLICK THE IMAGE TO FIND THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/23/business/cell-phone-addiction.html?ref=oembed)

OR

The reality of this article – the amount of time that the writer @kevinroose, spent on his phone, how he interacted with it, hit me hard and close. There was so much truth and raw reaction that I had, that I made the impulsive decision to try it out for myself.

So, I copied the link, shared it on my professional page (https://www.facebook.com/choicethroughawareness/), and closed the app for the weekend. I decided that I would start to notice the urges to check my phone and understand what the triggers were, how much the ‘checking” was needed, and what else would unfold.

Here’s what happened:

1. The checking (even glancing at the screen) had become automatic. Not even thinking about why I was checking.
2. I had to consciously decide to “not check” and do something else.
3. I became more present to what I was doing, and there was a sense of ease and “time”. It did not feel like I needed to rush.
4. I too, noticed that I reached for it at odd times – waiting in line, the traffic lights etc. It stays in my hand even when I climb out of my car??
5. My focus and concentration was palpably higher during the day.
6. I read deeply without wondering what I was missing, played and did other things on Saturday.
7. I feel like my conversations were more meaningful
8. I almost started to resist checking as the weekend went on
9. There were times – when I had to interact, respond and reply to messages, and the old pattern could quickly creep in – automatically checking emails etc
10. The old pattern could be quickly strengthened when I had a bit of an emergency to deal with, and again needed conscious choice.
11. There was more space, time and enjoyment.
12. I had to be very clear about what my intention was in interacting with my phone i.e Am I responding to a message, setting a reminder, checking the weather etc.
    So, friends, this is still in its early days. I will keep you updated. Share your stories as well? Be deliberate about what you do, how you do it and what your intention is – this could apply to almost anything in life.
    (By the way, I know that I am consciously sharing this now on FB – and that’s all I will do..)
    Take care of that brain! Thank you @kevinroose
    Be well.