There’s an age-old dieting “rule” that suggests picking between a cocktail, the bread basket, and dessert at each meal, instead of enjoying all three. I don’t subscribe to this—I mean, sometimes a person needs a glass of pinot noir, a breadstick, and the chocolate pudding—but I think the logic is helpful in terms of how you approach screen time.
Most days, at least in my life, I’m utilizing every screen available: I’m on my computer and glancing at my phone with the TV on in the background. This not only makes me feel distracted and scatterbrained but is also kind of…unnecessary? Like, can’t I just enjoy one at a time?
Apparently not, unless I’m mindful about doing so. That’s why taking a break from at least one type of screen is nice in a given day. Maybe you put your phone on airplane mode or leave it in the other room plugged in or on the charger. Maybe you decide not to watch any TV that night. Maybe you skip the extra laptop time after being on a computer for work purposes all day long. Then notice what it feels like to be without it. For me, it’s a little weird at the beginning; I feel like I’m missing something or I forgot to do something. I’ll even reach for my phone automatically, like a phantom limb, before realizing it’s not accessible. Which is exactly why this exercise is such a helpful way to reset.
It doesn’t matter how long your break lasts, though I recommend at least fifteen to thirty minutes. Just practice being intentional with how you use your technology, and see what it feels like to eliminate one option for a short period of time.