If you are a part of the modern world and part of our society’s youth, your cellphone is your lifeline. A few minutes away from that smartphone and a feeling of cluelessness may start to overwhelm you. The question “What did I miss?” comes to mind. Here’s what being attached to your phone has you missing out on:
1. Building personal connections
Even though cellphones provide quick and easy access to social media and other methods of contact, nothing is more meaningful than a face-to-face conversation. Lasting impressions are made through eye contact and conversations had in person.
A handshake in an interview instead of a wave goodbye on Skype, meeting with a professor instead of emailing a list of concerns, or hugging a familiar face instead of a nonchalant wave with a free hand (if you’ve got one) are all ways that make interactions more meaningful.
2. Awareness of your environment
Ever trip while texting or mindlessly walk right past someone you may know? Maybe miss a right turn three turns ago or walk through a parking lot with your head down only to raise it because of a startling horn? Was "Clash of Clans" getting intense? Did you level up on "Boom Dots"? Was possible injury and embarrassment worth it?
While you’re constantly staring at your phone, you could miss something important. Maybe there's someone in need of help. Wouldn’t you want to be a better bystander? Being a part of your community means being actively present.
3. Less miscommunication and more clarification
It’s much easier to get the intended message across when it's spoken from the mouth. While talking over the phone, words could be misunderstood between even the best of friends. We are wired to read and understand emotions through facial expressions and body language. Take out the body, and the language part could become a minefield. Written words can be taken out of context. Emoticons are now replacing words and sometimes full sentences. Ask yourself, what has more meaning? A smile hello from a crush, or a worn-out emoji?
4. Your health needs a boost
Think of how much sleep you lose watching vines before bed. A few revines later and your alarm is set to go off in less than six hours! Your eyes are burning from the screen brightness, and when you wake, you start the day trying to fight off those under-eye bags and a splitting headache. After a hard day of looking down at your phone, your neck becomes a little sore, and once again, you are lying down revining and letting good sleep pass you by.
Ever been told, “Don’t get to close to the screen, you’ll go blind”? Doctors and parents are growing more and more concerned about the increasing number of youths in need of glasses and wrist wraps due to arthritis brought on by “over-texting.” You’ll regret not taking a break when your sight is not so hot and unfolding your glasses hurts.
5. More memorable moments
Memories aren’t made by staring at your phone. If you want to soak up the sun and have some adventure in your life, put the phone down and take it all in. Don’t let daylight pass you by! When you are older, you might regret not taking in the view and being a part of the moment. After all, our memories and experiences define us. Wouldn’t you want to look back a say you’ve done it all?
The words “hanging out” have unfortunately become more about popping a squat and checking out the latest trends on your newsfeed. Nowadays, it's just a lot of sitting around and a whole lot more of nothing worth remembering. Hanging out used to mean more than just sharing the same space. Let’s share our laughs, thoughts and time instead.
