Screens: watching or living?

Thursday, May 24, 2018


There’s no denying: our screens are dominating our lives. It is hard to resist. After every media sabbatical, we come back with a vengeance. We desire to catch up on all that we missed.

How much watch time do you spend in your devices on a weekly basis? It’s wise to count the cost.

My husband and I are guilty on binging on the occasional digital show. Once the kids to go sleep, we indulge in watching time. My problem is that at times, watching time interferes with living time.

I often wonder, what will it take for me to change? I certainly don’t want my kids to grow up with memories of me glued to my phone. I want to give myself freely and I must to be free from my phone’s dominion in order to do that.

I’ve taken small steps. For years, I stopped publicizing every meeting I have. I have enjoyed keeping lunch with friends, an activity between us and no one else. I have taken the phone away from the dinner table. I’m no ER doctor and I’m certainly not on call. I can afford to have every meal without my phone. Small steps can still be called progress.

Here’s the thing, I don’t watch that much TV as it is and if I find the time to watch a good show, I might watch it. My goal is not to be a slave of my devices, they’re supposed to be serving me. I’m the one with the brain and the heart to have more living time instead of watching time.