The Day I Put My Phone Down

One day I put my phone down.

At first I felt bored and a little strange. So, used to having it in my hand at every turn, filling every still moment or awkward silence. It was my lifeline, my entertainment, the world at my fingertips. Now I had to look at whatever was right there around me instead of down in blissful distraction. It felt uncomfortable, I felt fidgety, my hand felt empty, it almost didn’t seem right. It’s just my culture, right? Must have phone or oxygen supply takes a dive. Yep, at first… it was really hard.

But then, before very long at all…

I began to see what I’d been missing; I could hear what I hadn’t heard, and feel what I hadn’t felt in such a long time.

One day I put my phone down and it seemed I was alive again, doing life again, breathing deeply again. My eyes relaxed, my ears opened and my heart calmed.

One day I put my phone down and instead of scrolling, trolling, sharing, asking, helping, researching, debating, commenting and posting…

I read books to my kids.

I wrote a letter to a friend.

I listened with rapt attention to the story straight from the imagination of a child.

I struck up a conversation with a stranger as I waited in line at the post office.

I noticed people walking past me, rather than being oblivious to their existence.

I cooked a meal that took more than five minutes.

I baked cookies for my husband.

I savored food a little more, sitting undistracted as I ate.

I cleaned the house.

I folded ALL THE laundry.

I wrestled with my boys.

I took them for a walk.

I watched them play at the park; I ran and played too.

I laughed with my baby just to hear his giggles.

I stopped taking pictures of absolutely everything.

I enjoyed the moments rather than figuring out the best ways to post them.

I took in a sunset rather than miss it for trying to get the perfect shot.

I began to realize how empty a “like” or “share” or certain number of followers can be.

I began to realize the true fulfillment that comes from a smile of appreciation.

Or the spark in the eye of a child who feels heard, feels seen, feels important.

I offered more words of encouragement and received them from others as well.

I realized that kindness is most potent through real life, personal interactions.

I felt more content.

I felt more genuine joy.

I didn’t feel so anxious.

I didn’t snap at my kids so much.

I didn’t tell them to quiet down so much.

I didn’t turn them off so much.

I felt so much more content.

My mind didn’t race so badly.

I took a nap.

I went to bed earlier.

I slept better.

I read a good book.

I wrote a blog on what I wanted to write, not what Facebook or Instagram suggested.

I painted for pure joy.

I danced with three handsome young gentleman.

I had a great, focused conversation with my husband.

I found it was more fun to be a superhero to my boys than to try and save the world.

I talked more about Jesus, about the Gospel with curious, question filled kiddos.

I enjoyed deep, encouraging, face to face conversations.

I memorized more scripture.

I sat in peaceful silence.

I prayed more, because that’s what being still is perfect for.

I suddenly found the time I’d thought I simply didn’t have.

One day I put my phone down, and I stopped glancing and started seeing, I stopped hearing and started listening, I stopped brushing off and started embracing.

This isn’t a legalistic, everyone follow my lead, jab. This isn’t for everyone. Some people are incredible at finding a balance in this area. Some people can do the social media scene while their lives and families still thrive. Some people are better multi-takers than I am.

This is simply my own confession, after battling for years, and it’s not comfortable to share. This is my struggle, and me taking Ephesians 5:16 to heart, “making best use of the time” and never letting my phone or any other distraction hinder that.

This is for anyone who might struggle like me, often finding our noses so far buried in our phones, we’re missing life as it flies by. We might spend our days thinking we’re influencing so many, holding the world and life itself in our hands… but we might also be forgetting that our greatest influence is right around us, in our workplaces, in our schools, in our relationships, in our homes, and we’re missing the sweetest moments of it all. If you feel this way… know it’s not just you. And if it feels like the “balance battle” is one we’re losing… maybe it’s better to set it down altogether… at least for a while.

One day I put my phone down… and it was beautiful thing.

I picked it back up for a time… all leading me back to the same conclusion. I think I’ll take it as a lesson, to set it back down again, and by the grace of God, at least for now, leave it there. All around me, right in front of me, there’s so much life to be lived, good to be done, joy to be had and love to be given and received. I need to remember that I have little hope of impacting the world around me if I’m not impacting the people right next to me, doing life with me.

One day I put my phone down and realized life is a precious gift and I don’t want to miss it because my eyes were downcast, glued to my phone. I want to look up and embrace that gift. I want to see it, hear it, smell it, taste it and feel it. I want to receive the tangible blessings around me and be one to others as well.

God bless!