Boredom is better companion than your phone
or maybe it's a wrong comparison.
Dear Authentic Introvert,
Remember when you got your first phone? It was a magical device even without the apps and the games it has today.
We thought it’d make our lives a lot easier. The idea of getting in touch with whoever we want whenever we want seemed surreal.
Fast forward to present, the same phone has become a big reason why people no longer connect with each other.
Even during your planned tea/coffee dates, this evil intruder keeps stealing attention every now and then.
10 years ago, if you were reading a book while someone was talking to you, they would take the hint and leave you to it.
But we have accepted ignoring and being ignored because of this phone so well that we have forgotten to respect and be respected. We seldom make eye contact and notice visual cues during one-on-one interactions, losing effectiveness.
And like all other unutilized human abilities that we’ve lost permanently, we’d lose these too sooner than we expect.
Don’t get me wrong, phones are amazing devices when they offer seamless mobility of work from one device to another, especially when we are on the move.
The problem starts when it replaces boredom, considering how boredom is not addictive like phone.
Let’s look at this objectively.
You have 5 minutes to relax between chores.
You pick up your phone and start doomscrolling Instagram reels, forwarding them to people, discussing that mindless content over chats, then you call someone to gossip and all this lasts longer than 5 minutes.
How long? Probably an hour or more – I’ll let you choose.
It was meant to be a five minutes relaxing break, which is not even enough to make you feel bored, and you spent at least twelve times that time on hyper-engaging activities that leave you mentally exhausted and unproductive.
And then you hate productivity advice from the world’s greatest experts because nothing seems to work for you. How would it?
You have given all your time of self-reflection, deep thinking, creative ideation, and reenergizing to a stupid device that everybody else involved profits from except you.
And then you try to make it work with whatever is left of you despite your phone addiction and call even the simplest habits a struggle because you don’t have the time.
There’s a simple rule to this situation.
If the time you spend on your phone (including calling, texting, doomscrolling, looking at the screen) is anywhere close to, or worse, more than the time you spend on personal breaks (actual breaks minus the phone), you’ve got a serious addiction!
And if you’re confused about why your life isn’t going anywhere, there is your answer looking right at you this whole time – your phone.
Your phone is useful only as long as it serves you but as your master, it’s super mean and cruel. Free yourself before it’s too late.
Key Takeaway:
Don’t let your phone replace your boredom.
Boredom helps you reflect on your life, think of ideas to change your life, and implement them in the form of daily habits – all things your phone won’t let you do.
Cheers,
Sachin Sharma