If you have a smartphone, you know how distracting and useful it can be. While it is great to be able to check in with family, and how many Instagrams of your friend's partying do you really need to see? We all recognize that we are overdependent on our phones, and yet we rarely shut them off due to a fear of missing out. But keeping your cell phone on constantly is bad for your health and sanity, so I am going to challenge you to turn your cell phones off.
I know how badly you are going to want to update everyone on everything you are up to during the day, but do they really want to hear everything you are doing? If you're doing that just for the family you do not see very often, then write them a letter, call them, or even go visit them. Your friends on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter could be feeling jealous, depressed, or annoyed after checking your updates.
Turning off your phone will help you become less dependent on the rush of constant communication. If this is too much to handle but you are driving your dinner companions crazy, try this game: everyone at the table places their phones in the center of the table. Whomever picks up their phone first picks up the tab as well. This could help you save money and not rely on your cell phone.
Are you in a relationship? If you are, how much time do you truly spend with your significant other? Do you really need to be on your phone while with them, too? If you have not turned off your phone on a date since the first one, go electronics-free for a night. Your romance will thank you.
Is your school work failing? If your school work is failing, this may be because of your high cell phone usage. You can raise your GPA and lower your anxiety levels by lowering your time spent on your phones. If your phone is distracting you from educational or professional duties, leave it at home for the day. If this is not possible, hiding it in a desk drawer during your meetings or in your backpack during class will also work.
Are you comparing your life with your friend's life? Are you feeling depressed because your life does not match what your friends are doing? I know that when we are constantly bombarded with photos on social media, it's difficult to resist comparing the ups and downs of our own lives with the picture-perfect portrayal our friends' and followers' lives. We often tend to forget that this is merely an edited version of their lives — they do not roll out of bed looking like the supermodel in their profile photos.
If these points apply to you, then you are addicted to your phone! I am going to challenge you to stay off of your phones and live your life.
So here is the challenge: for the next week, I want you to slowly detox from your phone.
Monday: Unfollow people who are not your real friends, unsubscribe from unwanted email lists, and delete apps you don't use.
Tuesday: Turn off your notifications.
Wednesday: Resist the urge to look at your phone first thing in the morning. (I know this is hard, but it will help in the long run)
Thursday: Don't look at your phone for an hour before bed. (If you have trouble sleeping, your phones may cause that.)
Friday: Go out to dinner, a movie, or even go hang out with friends, and leave your phone in your backpack or purse.
Saturday: Spend the day not looking at or posting to social media.
Sunday: Turn your phone off for the entire day. (Only turn it on for phone calls or important texts.)
