When is the best time to look at your phone?
Hi friends,
A year or so ago at one of my Digital Mindfulness 101 workshops, a participant asked me a really good question: “You suggest we stay off our phone first thing in the morning and an hour before bedtime. When is the best time of day to be on my phone?”
Here was my answer: when you are mindful, present and intentional about the reason you are looking at your phone!
The time of day isn’t as important as the reason. I encourage us to ask ourselves: “what do I want to get out of this scroll?”
Maybe it’s to be entertained, to learn something, to get an update from friends or family, to look at pretty pictures – even if it’s just to unwind and distract yourself, be aware of how and why you are using this powerful tool and window to the world.
Do yourself a favor and take 4 minutes today to read this article by Ephrat Livni: "'Social Media Distancing’ Is the Key to Quelling the Information Pandemic”
In it, Livini grapples with the urgent need for structural change and addressing the power that social media companies have over our lives, but also states:
“…with social media. I feel responsible for my contributions — or lack thereof — although I’m under no illusion that these choices matter much in the grand scheme. But they matter to me, and to my circles. It means resisting the urge to directly engage pausing before diving into that conversation, or sharing a quip, or even before expressing joy or outrage. In that pause, you may find — as I often do — that the expression seems unnecessary. The world doesn’t need two more cents.”
This is so timely, because I just finished another cohort of my Screen Time Lifeline Group (such an amazing, inspiring group of people! I love my job) where I encouraged participants to come up with a “Social Media Mission Statement.”
Rising to the challenge, Intuitive and Energy Coach Charli Grieg crafted to following: " I am choosing to engage with this social media platform with intention and integrity." I love this!
Next time you reach for your phone, pause and ask yourself “why?”
We take our power back when we can be intentional about our social media engagement.
What’s your social media mission statement? I’d love to gather more of these to share with all of you for inspiration.
Much Love,
Christina
P.S. If you’ve read this far, thank you! I invite you to join my mailing list for occasional musings and updates on retreats and events. I won't spam you, or share your data. Let's start supporting small businesses on platforms they own!