I was waiting outside a coffee shop this afternoon for someone while they were getting their daily caffeine fix so I pulled out my iPhone and started scrolling through social media as a way to pass time.
But for some reason, this time was different. I felt like there was an emptiness in the pit of my stomach that even scrolling through Twitter or Facebook couldn’t fill.
Suddenly, I realized the loneliness I’ve been feeling is from not having anything worthwhile or meaningful to do with myself when I have downtime.
I usually check my email every 15–20 minutes, and it always has me thinking for another 30 minutes or so. It’s a never-ending cycle of constant distraction.
No matter where I am or what I’m doing, my mind is sapped with thoughts of emails that I can’t respond to until later when I’m back at the office. Sometimes even in the evening hours after work has ended.
Why does this happen? Because we’re used to helping our customers/clients in real-time!
So once again, no progress was made today on any of those tasks that are weighing heavily on my mind. O, and there are quite a few!
Basically, my phone has become an odd crutch.
Later in the afternoon, still in town I was about to reach for my phone whilst waiting for a friend and thought, NO. Do not touch your phone. I started people-watching instead and found it to be really interesting and relaxing.
After a few minutes, I had struck up a conversation with a cashier from a bank who was closing up for the day. It’s funny how you can actually engage with people when you give your attention to them.
There is no denying that email, Twitter, and Facebook are constant parts of our daily lives. But it’s easy to forget the most important people in your life while you’re checking your phone every few minutes.
Don’t be distracted from those who matter most by technology!