We live in a contradictory time that promotes YOLO and living life to the fullest, yet advocates technology that requires constant updates and an obsessive need to know what others are thinking. Now this article isn’t implying for you to stop using your smartphones entirely, in many ways I can say I would be completely lost without one. However, that very fact is what gets to me. This really made me stop and reflect on what my life was like before I had a smartphone. What I really miss, and what I think this generation really needs, is to go back to being able to really get caught up and lost in the moment. Personally, I feel that this need to “capture the moment” actually waters down the full experience. I want to live a life that doesn’t require me constantly telling myself to HAVE A LIFE. I would like my life to speak for itself and so I have devised a personal list of situations where I can make my smartphone an asset rather than a necessity.
HANGING OUT WITH FRIENDS
When friends are hanging out and the phones start coming out, a sense of disengagement forms. It really kills the vibe and can sometimes come off as rude. Trust me, the phone, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter; it will all still be there. This memory that can be made with your friends will only be there for a second, it won’t wait, and it won’t come back. Therefore instead of forcing yourself to put your phones away like a punishment, try turning it into a game. Try this game out: put your phones face down in the middle of the table and whoever reaches for it first has to buy everyone something small like ice-creamso that it will keep things fun. It’ll also give more incentive for people to put their phones away. You will see that once you put that phone down, conversations become much more engaging and you will no longer automatically look at your phone in moments of awkward silence. After all, taking a risk is what life is all about: looking dumb and saying things you regret and then laughing about it.
With so many filters and options, it is difficult to not get caught up in making our Instagram photos seem perfect. Instagram should be like the old photo albums our parents made for us as babies. Our albums should be filled with beautiful memories of laughter and happiness, rather than perfectly engineered Tumblr photos. Instead of taking a whole 40 minutes to stand on your chair and capture a table and a latte, just take a picture with your friends! You likely aren’t going to remember that time you drank a latte. But you will remember that time you and your girlfriends went to get lattes and your friend hit on the barista. What I do is I try to take a few quick photos in the beginning of a hangout or quickly in a moment I genuinely know I want to remember, that way I can be there, present, and really enjoying myself. Often times, the moments we capture on Instagram weren’t as good as what the picture makes them out to be because we cared too much. JUST STOP CARING and if you really need a picture, take one and then go out and have fun! You and your friends will remember the awesome time you guys had, and really that’s all that should matter!
CLASS ROOMS
I know when I am on my phone in class; I never get any notes done. If you really need to look at your phone in class, just try to check it when you get a text message. If you need to go on Facebook or Instagram, just see if you get any notifications. If you don’t see any new notifications then don’t browse your newsfeed and just look up and pay attention. You will be surprised how much more you can get out of lectures.
CONCERTS
Don’t watch it through a screen, there will be other videos on YouTube. Savor the moment. If you really want documentation of the concert, try recording the in between conversations between the singers and the band because you know that will only be said to you and the crowd. That way you can have fun and jam out at the concert and laugh at all the funny commentary you recorded when you get home.
BEFORE GOING TO SLEEP
Before you go to sleep, grab a book, not your phone. Take it from me; you will get a far more satisfying night’s sleep out of it. Also, looking at your phone at night will keep you up longer because the constant motion keeps your brain stimulated, causing you to wake up feeling exhausted and wired. If you read a book, not only will it fuel your imagination, but it will be easier on your eyes, and you will fall asleep earlier and wake up feeling well rested.
Smartphone’s have benefited me in so many ways, but my reliance on my phone has made it difficult to enjoy the little things without it. Instead of looking at life through a screen, embrace life as it is. These are tips that I found helpful in my personal life, but don’t be afraid to switch it up!