Have you reflected on your time of actually being present in the moment with the people in your life? How often are you distracted by your phone, stress, planning things, taking a phone call, responding to an email, or being on screens? This is something I, myself, need to work on in this overwhelming digital age.
The act of being present in the now cultivates memories, stories, and true feelings that humans need and crave. I feel like there’s so many folks out there who were living the majority of their lives before screens who can attest to those being the ‘good ole days.’ Is personal connection—making eye contact and having genuine attention from someone—that serious? I think we all can agree it is. But to what degree are we living in this digital age where we lose our sense of being present in the now? That’s what I want to reflect on with you.
My littles girls are one and two years old. They run around the house together, play with their toys, and live a life of truly being present with one another. There’s no stress (maybe aside from who had the toy first) that crosses their little minds. They wake up, get dressed, eat, then play, sleep and repeat. What a lovely, simple life they are living. As the parent, I wake up, check my phone, get dressed, check my phone, eat, check my phone, watch the girls, read a book, check my phone, and so on…and I truly feel like I am someone who does not have a ton of screentime! Yet here I am, still checking my phone and not living a life that is all that present with my children because I check little things here and there. I have lists I want to complete. I have laundry to fold. I have meals to prepare. My children are right there beside me while I do these things, but am I being present with them? Sometimes yes, and sometimes no if I’m being honest. Now, if you’re a working mom or dad out of the house, or your kids are schooled out of the house, then the time you have present with them is shy in comparison to those who are at home with them all day. All the more to reflect on your act of being present in the now when you are together!
We all have different levels of what being present may look like. Some may not even blink twice at checking their phones throughout the day because they’re still ‘playing’ or sitting with their kids. Or what about your spouse? How does being present with them compare to being present with your children, a coworker, or close friend? Analyze the relationships and personal connections you have in your life. Does a screen connect the two of you? Could focusing on being present—eye contact, active listening (and not just thinking about what you are going to say back to them while they are talking), and enjoying the moment—cultivate a better relationship?
Genuine connection is dying in an age our society deems to be ‘more connected’ than ever. Let me throw this one on your radar: One may be quick to like and comment on an influencer’s picture and get a response from them, but how quick are you to walk over to your neighbor’s and talk with them? Are you convicted yet? Because I am! (lol) This post is not meant to condemn or scrutinize. It’s just to bring awareness and reflection on your own acts of being present in the now—mine included.
I’ve actually been off social media for about a year and a half now and I feel so at peace. Read more about this here: “No Social Media and…Thriving?” Joining Substack has got me checking my phone more than it used to and I need to set some boundaries because it reminds me of always being tied down to the habit of scrolling. Though Substack is actually an app that I want to connect and read what other people are sharing because the majority of people I’ve found on there seem to be there for the right reasons. We’re all putting in time and effort to fuel our passion of writing. Let’s just remember the importance of being present in the now with the people around us. God bless! Talk to you in the next one.
If you’re feeling brave, leave your daily average screentime from your phone in the comments below!
This blog post was first shared on my Substack account on August 27, 2024. Consider subscribing on Substack for more content (free and paid subscription options) sent straight to your inbox!
Leave a Reply