If you’ve never had an older person tell you that you’re on your phone too much, then you’re in a rare category for young people. For those of you that have been called out for their excessive screen time, this snarky remark may cause your eyes to roll. But you have to admit, they do have a point.
Internet usage has caused us to become jaded; the ability that social media has to shape our individual realities is honestly alarming. We assess our worth based on our significant other liking our Instagram posts in a timely manner, or we automatically think someone secretly hates us solely because they don’t text back right away. If you stop to think about this, it’s pretty dystopian. We have come so far in technological advancements, but the non-tech side of the world is still very much going on around us. The people we know have jobs, classes, mountains of homework, family obligations, clubs, and organizations that don’t take place on their phone screens. Beyond the communication aspect, social media has also changed the way we perceive ourselves. We’re in constant, unspoken competition with people we’ve never even met just because of their posts. It’s definitely possible to separate social media from our everyday reality, but more often than not, these paths get crossed.
Have you ever been out with your best friends, enjoying the time together so much that you decide to take a group picture? It turns out great, but you decide that it needs some tweaks before being posted on Instagram. So instead of hopping right back into the conversation with the people in front of you, the next ten minutes are spent Facetuning the acne scar on your cheek and playing around with filters before posting to the people behind your phone screen. If this sounds like you, then this article came at the perfect time! Here are some strategies to minimize your phone usage and become more in touch with reality again.
1. Make a to-do list that takes up your day (and that doesn’t include your phone)
Most of our ideal weekends include getting everything done that we weren’t able to throughout the busy school week. The next time you have a free day, try to make a list of the chores and errands you need to take care of without checking your phone between tasks – the only exceptions are emergencies and time-sensitive notifications. You’ll soon realize how the free time you usually dedicate to scrolling on TikTok can make you feel productive and accomplished!
2. When you’re out with friends, have everyone put their phones in the middle of the table
This tip is definitely for those of us who are extroverted and love spending time with our friends! It is also one of my personal favorites, especially if the bill of the meal is at stake in dining settings; basically, the first person to pick up their phone has to pay for everyone’s meal. This challenge will either be a wake-up call for you…or the easiest task ever!
3. Go the entire weekend without looking at social media
Trust me, you’re not missing out on much if you go two days without checking Instagram. You can still use your phone for this one, but all social media apps are strictly off-limits (and yes, this includes Pinterest and YouTube)! There are hundreds of YouTube videos detailing their experience of cutting out social media for the weekend, and the reviews are pretty positive. If you’re up for a bigger challenge, some people have even stopped using social media for a month!
4. Make time for your hobbies, interests, and yourself
Personally, one of my favorite things to do is to binge play The Sims for hours. I literally only pick up my phone to check the time; all notifications go unanswered until I’m done focusing on my pixelated families. When you make time for the things you love, you’ll soon realize that you don’t even feel the need to be on your phone when you can just have fun without it. If you’re a self-care kinda girl, spend your evening peacefully with a digital detox (the only exception is to turn on your favorite playlists). Light a candle, put your phone far away from you and just embrace your own company.
I understand that we live in the era of connecting on social media, but it doesn’t have to dominate your life. Go on walks, find fun activities in the city, and discover new interests outside of your phone. You won’t regret it!