Hey there Trish–I want to spend less time on my phone now that it’s nicer out, any thoughts?
Hi there, and welcome back to another week of Ask Trish! I hope you’re having a wonderful April.
Thank you so much to this week’s question-er for the wonderful and indeed, particularly topical question at this moment–as the weather (finally!) starts to get nicer for many of us in the Northern Hemisphere, we may feel an urge to spend less time scrolling and more time outside, enjoying the sun while we have it! But that’s always easier said than done. In general, I find taking “phone breaks” quite hard to do, especially during a busy day. I mean, what if someone texts me?! But now’s the time to put your phone down, step outside, and let your eyes gaze upon the #realworld. (Crazy, I know!) In that spirit, in this week’s brief post, I offer y’all some creative suggestions on ways to take a phone break–and hold yourself accountable. After you finish reading this post, give one of these options a try, and let me know how it goes in the comments section of this week’s video!
So…what are these exciting ideas?! Here are my Ask Trish-approved recommendations:
- Turn a phone call into a walk. One of the best–and I find, most guilt-free ways–to take a phone break is, geography permitting, to convert a phone call, whether with a friend, colleague, or family member, into an in-person outing. Planning to chat with your colleague later in the afternoon? Why don’t y’all agree to meet at a local park, instead, and do your chatting there? (If you’re thinking…uh, what about the work on my laptop?!… trust me, there’s something to thinking through an issue without a device in front of you. I’ve had some of my best thoughts on device-free walks.) This way, you’re not skipping a beat…and you’re getting out in nature, and briefly, away from your feed.
- Do an analog photo shoot. My fellow Gen Z folks will know…analog is all the rage these days. There’s nothing cuter than taking snaps on a disposable camera…and the pictures make for really artsy Insta content. And best of all, these cameras cost about ~$15, so you don’t have to break the bank. Gather up your friends, head to a beautiful spot in town–or several spots–and have a super fun photo shoot. Stick to the camera, not your phone. After, you can enjoy some dessert or shopping, also phone-free. I promise that when you return to your phone, your heart (and your camera roll!) will be full.
- Do a brief meditation outside. Maybe you’re thinking… Trish, that’s just not realistic. I can’t put my phone away for that long! Don’t worry–I got you! Instead of putting your phone away for a few hours, put your phone away for just five minutes. Go outside, whether to your backyard, or a nearby green area, and spend just 2-3 minutes meditating. Mediate however you like (I really love deep breathing). As you do, try and focus on the sounds of nature around you (I find them so calming). Even just that brief pause–a moment to find some clarity in the noise–can be powerful. And, it can be a launching pad for creating some more substantial space between you and your device.
- Go for a swim (or play some tennis, basketball, whatever you like)! Guess where you can’t bring your phone (or, even if it’s waterproof, might feel some trepidation bringing your phone)? A pool! As the weather gets nicer, if there’s a pool–it can even be an inflatable one in your backyard!–that you can access, take advantage of it, and leave your phone behind. Sports are a great way to do this, too. It’s not really tenable to make free throw shots while scrolling on social media. As a bonus, you’ll also really get your body moving and enjoy the experience of connecting with folks as part of a fun game.
- Play phone hide-and-seek. If you’re really, really courageous… you might consider play phone hide-and-seek. That’s right: you and a group of friends hide each others’ phones, and then you go hunting for them, out in nature! Of course, keep in mind that nature presents a lot of variables, like poor weather, animals, and the like…so be cautious. But done right, this can be a super fun, creative way to take a break from your phone, hang out with the folks you love, and enjoy the outdoors. (Plus, depending on how motivated you are to get your phone back, you might just end up a hide-and-seek champion!)
I hope you enjoyed these fun suggestions–and that you get out there and enjoy the nice weather, phone-free! Once you’re back on your devices, though, take just a minute and share any internet/tech-related questions or thoughts with me here! Your question might be phone-related…or not! Remember, anything you’re wondering about is totally valid. I’m excited to hear from you–thank you in advance for your contributions!
Have a great end to the week,
Trish