PHONES ARE DISTRACTION DEVICES…

This week, I want to talk to you about how our phones are really just distraction devices.

 

We all know that feeling, don’t we? You’re at dinner with family or friends and suddenly everyone’s staring at their screens. It’s like the world around becomes secondary and I sometimes wonder what important moments people may be missing out on, because their eyes are glued to their phones.

 

Tell me, have you recently tried going without your phone for a day? It’s really liberating, but it’s also very challenging. Initially, there’s a feeling of isolation and emptiness, but soon, you start filling the void and noticing things around you that you often overlook. 

 

Whenever we seem to feel the slightest hint of boredom, we reach for our phones, forgetting that they have been designed as distraction devices and we are then also just feeding our own addiction and making it harder for ourselves to do without them in the future.

 

It's really strange how such a small gadget can have such a hold over us and pull our attention away from moments we’re in, without us realising. I’ve observed just how much time people spend on their phones, but how much richer real-life interactions become when we’re fully present.

 

Here are some things you can try out and hopefully learn from:

 

 

- Have you ever created any boundaries that work for you personally, like trying a phone-free afternoon one day a week to reflect and focus on personal projects? 

- Or have you ever tried specific methods, as it may be interesting to see how they impacts your focus and interactions?

- Or have you ever implemented any strategies to limit distractions at home, like a family phone-free afternoon at the weekend? 

 

(Good luck with this last one though if you have teenagers - it is like you are depriving them of oxygen!)

 

It may be an interesting experiment to see how people really engage with each other without screens. Try to craft personalised strategies for mindful phone use, balancing connectivity with minimised distractions. I find it helpful to set specific times to check my phone, so I’m not constantly sidelined by notifications. 

 

Although phone-free initiatives seem better for improving focus, they overlook the importance of staying connected and how phones are now vital for emergencies, communication, capturing memories and obtaining information. They also lead to unintended stress for those who use them for managing families, mental health support, or professional obligations.

 

So, this week, remember how mindful use of phones and setting boundaries is good, but also how blanket restrictions cause stress and hinder productivity. Of course, phones have their benefits, but it's about balance, so be conscious of how you use your phone and find ways to be more present!