It’s not an exaggeration to say that I spend the majority of my day glued to my phone. It’s my essential tool for work, keeping in touch with loved ones, and managing my freelance writing. However, I never truly acknowledged how much this addiction was impacting my life until one significant moment.
One day, my youngest child came running to me in tears, upset because his older sibling had hurt his feelings. Instead of giving him my full attention, I tried to comfort him with a rehearsed line, all while staring at my screen. “Mom, put that down and snuggle me!” my distraught three-year-old pleaded. That was the wake-up call I needed. I immediately set my phone aside, picked him up, and apologized. It struck me then how I had been prioritizing my device over my children’s needs, and I felt an overwhelming wave of shame.
My partner was supportive when I announced my decision to step away from my phone, social media, and the constant barrage of notifications. I committed to a week without my phone, leaving it locked in the glove compartment of my car when I was at home. I would only use it for necessary calls.
The first day was challenging. As the sun rose and my household stirred, I felt a strange emptiness without my phone in hand, anxiously wondering what updates I was missing. Surprisingly, this led to quality time with my kids. We ended up in bed sharing stories and laughing during an epic tickle battle.
Suddenly, my children were much more engaged with me because I was genuinely present. Instead of getting lost in chores, I chased them around, shared amusing anecdotes from my childhood, and even coaxed them into helping me bake cookies or create colorful sidewalk art. For once, it felt like I was the one driving them a little crazy, rather than the other way around.
I began to realize that while some phone use is necessary—like calling my partner for essential errands—much of my usage was driven by a desire, not a need. This newfound understanding allowed me to cut my data plan in half, saving us some much-needed funds.
By the end of the week, it was clear how much I had missed out on by being glued to my phone. My children deserve my respect and attention, which means actively listening with my eyes and heart. They need to know that I’m fully present in their lives, and I had fallen short on that front until this experiment.
While phones aren’t inherently bad, and scrolling through social media can be a harmless escape, I realized that I had allowed my device to become a barrier between me and my family. Now, I strive for a better balance between my genuine needs and fleeting wants. It’s an ongoing journey to master moderation.
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Summary
This article discusses the author’s journey to reduce phone addiction and prioritize family time. The realization of how much time was being consumed by her phone led to a weeklong hiatus, resulting in quality moments with her children and a newfound understanding of the difference between needs and wants. The author highlights the importance of being present for one’s family while seeking a healthy balance in device usage.