Smartphones. They’re a wonderful thing in so many ways—all kinds of information in a compact little package, right at your fingertips. But could it be that these devices also have a detrimental effect on us? I think they do, and I think that effect comes mostly in the form of lost time.
You’ve probably caught yourself doing this dozens of times—maybe even dozens of times within the same day. There’s a pause in conversation, or you’re watching a movie, waiting in line. Maybe you’re even trying to be productive, sitting down to your desk and getting done whatever work needs to be done for the day. But invariably, often unconsciously, you find yourself reaching for your phone. Sometimes you flip it on, look at a couple of
things, and put it back down again. Other times, you pick it up, tap your favorite social media app, and before you know it, an entire hour has been lost to scrolling through text and images that you aren’t even really absorbing. You’re just scrolling as a habit or as a way to pass the time.
What you’re not doing is accomplishing anything. This is the time that can be spent in so many ways—getting work done, spending time with friends and family, or even working on something creative, like photography.
This is a habit I’ve found myself falling into, and with the prevalence of smartphones, with nearly everyone on social media these days, I’m sure I’m not alone. So let’s discuss smartphone usage, its effects on our time and our creativity, and some solutions to help you kick the habit!
