Ernest Smith

Could we have ever imagined 10-12 years ago that we would be as connected as we are to the world around us?

I remember thinking and saying back in 2005 that this is the most connected generation the world has ever seen. And that was true…back then. In just 2 short years, one invention would increase our connectivity exponentially. In June, 2007, when Apple released the first iPhone, it was billed as a way to not have to carry two devices anymore, the iPod and your phone. The iPhone was a way to have your music and your phone in one device.

Maybe Apple could have imagined, but I’m not sure any consumer could have imagined, how much we would now use this one device.

If you are like me, the iPhone or any other smart phone for that matter, has made things simpler. You can jog, record your distance and calorie count, while listening to music at the same time. You can search for anything, purchase anything and have it at your doorstep in a day. You can send videos to your friends, schedule appointments and talk to relatives that live 1000s of miles away. The iPhone has made some things simpler.

However, if you are also like me, the smart phone has begun to dominate your life. You check it constantly, spend way too much time surfing sites and apps, and feel anxiety when it’s not on you at all times.

The connectivity is helpful; however, the constant connectivity can be damaging.

Researchers have found that the average person looks at their phone at least 39 times and spends a minimum of 3 hours per day on it. The constant connectivity has become an addiction.

Oh come on Ernest, an addition? If a person went to the bottle 39 times and drank for 3 hours every day, we would say they have an addition. If a person looked at porn 39 times a day, we would say they have an addition. Why is it that we can’t call our phone use an addiction?

Because to admit that we have an addiction is an admission that we are not in control. To admit that we are addicted to connectivity, is to admit that we aren’t in control of our lives, of our phone usage, of our social media surfing. But, many of us, and my hand is raised, have a problem.

So what are we going to do? This is what I’ve been wrestling with for the last few months. Trying different things, experimenting with different ways to disengage more often. It’s not easy. I would love to just swap out a smart phone for an old school flip phone that can only call and text…but I’m not there yet and I’m not sure I ever will be. But, what I am doing is trying different ways to disengage and I wonder if there are others doing the same.

Do you find yourself overly connected? Are you attempting to disengage more often from your phone, social media or just surfing the web? If so, I would love to hear your tips and advice. I will share some of mine along the way, but let’s learn from one another, grow with one another and find a new way to live intentional, healthy, values-driven lives.

Let the journey begin…or continue!!!

One Tool: The book Digital Minimalism is a must read for anyone wanting to live more intentionally with the digital world in which we live.