Glued to your screen?
You know that feeling, when you see something you’ve seen a million times but suddenly you see it in a new light? It could be the moon, a colorful leaf, or maybe a bird that flew by.
You have this 'aha' moment where you stop and say: “Wow, look at this, it’s so beautiful”.
As we spend more time at home, it can be hard to see clearly. It can be hard to see things in a new light. Every day, we see the same walls, furniture, floors and Zoom rooms. We get so consumed in our daily routines that we start to lose sight.
So we miss these sacred 'aha'-moments. We miss an opportunity to be mindful.
When our vision gets narrow, we don’t see clearly. Our mind gets cluttered, or worse, it gets so incredibly busy, that we spiral.
This is why so many of us have the need to get away.
We want perspective. We want a new environment. Something to escape the mundane routines we get so consumed in. But escaping to a new location is not always an option.
When we don't have the time, money or the ability to book a weekend getaway, let's consider what else we can do. Let's consider the ways in which we can better use the mindfulness resources available to us.
It could be as simple as a walk around the neighborhood, an adventurous bike ride, or a shift in perspective.
In the midst of a pandemic, we are bound to spend more time on our screens. I'm sure you have noticed yourself spending a lot more time on your phone. Many of us have narrowed our vision to our devices.
Let's do a quick test. Be honest! (No cheating here, it's just for you!)
How many meals a day do you spend on your screen? One out of three? All three?
How many hours do you spend on your phone a day? 3, 5 or 8 hours? Check your screen time on your phone.
Which of the following consumes the most of your screen time? A. Social media B. Video games C. Netflix or video streaming D. News and articles E. Never-ending emails?
Based on your answers, commit to ONE thing that you’d like to do to improve your sense of perspective, and help you unglue you from your screen.
It might be social media fasting, eating dinner without devices, or turning off alerts and notifications on your phone.
Be realistic and kind towards yourself. Just one thing that feels helpful.
Remember usage on devices is going to increase, so it’s a matter of how we work with it.
It’s a new month. So it’s time for a new perspective.