We are all guilty of spending too much time staring down at our phones. It's hard not to when you have the world at your fingertips, but sometimes we need put the phone away and focus on in-person connections and experience things without having to glance down at our phone. Here are two lists for the times you should put your phone down and focus on reality, and for the times that you should catch up on all your online connections

When to disconnect

Early in the mornings: I am sure we are all guilty of rolling over and checking our phones first thing when we wake up. It is so tempting to stay in bed a couple extra minutes to check social media and catch up on new messages but I find that it makes it harder to get out of bed if I do this. Also, I always feel so groggy in the morning which means sometimes I forget to respond to texts or forget about an important email I read in bed.

Concerts: Why would you ever pull your phone out to take a video to watch later when you can see the real thing right in front of you? Its okay to take a few photos but then put your phone away, dance and enjoy the fact that your favorite artist is singing right in front of you.

Nature: The only reason you should be taking your phone with you when you go on a walk through the woods or a hike up the mountains is in case you have an emergency situation. Enjoy the outdoors and activate your senses. Feel the crunch of the leaves beneath your feet, listen to birds, and feel your skin soak up the sun,

With friends: Put your energy into conversation with your friend, go on an adventure, laugh a lot, but leave your phone in your purse.

In class: I see so many people doze off in class and scroll through Instagram the whole time and then bomb the pop quiz the following week! You have the rest of the day to be with your phone but pay attention during class, you never know what you might learn.

When to reconnect

At the gym: I don’t think I could survive being at the gym without my phone. Listening to music, podcasts, or watching a show when I am on the treadmill sure pumps me up and makes my workout go by faster.

Eating alone: When I am grabbing some lunch between classes or having some coffee I usually take the time to catch up on some texts and basically just zone out looking at my phone.

To catch up with long distant friends: Facetiming is such a crazy good invention. I like being able to see the faces of friends who are far from me or who I haven’t seen in a while.

When you’re lacking inspiration: There are so many amazing people on social media I follow who are constantly inspiring me to create new things or get out and explore. Whenever I am feeling in a creative run I scan Pinterest or scroll through my Instagram and almost always gain a spark of creativity!