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6 Reasons To Put Your Phone Down ASAP

We're all addicted at least a little, don't even deny it.

Eliza Cadkin

Aug 28, 2020

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Photo by ROBIN WORRALL on Unsplash

I admit it, I'm beyond guilty of being on my phone constantly--I think we all are these days. After it was brought to my attention, though, I really can't stop thinking about it. We are all just living through this tiny screen, and in my humble opinion, that's no way to live. Not to mention, it's probably stressing us out more than we even realize. I'm not saying we should put them down forever (don't worry, I'm not the most unrealistic or unreasonable person in the world), BUT I am saying we should put it down more than we are right now. If you aren't convinced yet, here are some reasons to drop the phone ASAP:

1. Talk to and connect with the people around you

This is obviously number one because it's most important. You can only have so much connection through a screen. It's those face to face interactions that'll have you really feeling connected with another person. Laugh with them, talk with them, or even cry with them if the situation calls for it. All I'm asking is to just be with other people and not with your screen. You need it more than you think you do. If you don't believe me, just try it out, because I promise you being face to face makes all the difference.

2. We are quite literally living through history right now

There are going to be history books titled "2020" that will be filled cover to cover with what is happening right now before our very eyes. While I certainly don't suggest filling your time with your news addiction (another reason to put down your phone), I do suggest paying attention to what is happening around you. Notice that people are wearing masks everywhere they go, and pay attention to the feelings you get when somebody walks just a little too close to you. Your kids will want to hear about it one day, and you will want to remember this crazy time of not only your life, but of history. Plus, if you don't pay attention now, how could you appreciate it enough when this is all over?

3. Protect your eyes

just for laughs what GIFGiphy

This is kind of a joke, but also not a joke at all. We spend so much of our day (especially right now with e-learning and working from home) looking at a screen, and it is doing the opposite of wonders for our poor eyes. Give them a rest and put that phone down.

4. You’re probably using it as a procrastination tool

Don't even deny it, everytime you want to procrastinate your instinct is to pick up your phone. So, I'm here to give you some important advice: don't! Leave your phone where it is, and only pick it up once you are completely done with the thing that is making you want to procrastinate. You'll spend more energy procrastinating than actually doing the thing, and your phone is only making things worse. Don't give into that temptation, because once you do you'll be scrolling through social media for hours and before you know it you're only an hour away from your deadline.

5. Break that addiction

We are all addicted to our phones. Well, I guess I can't make that big of a generalization, but most of us are. If you feel your hand going towards your phone, ask yourself why? Is it just to mindlessly scroll for hours? Or is it because you crave some instant gratification? Whatever it is, remind yourself that you can do without it and try to go do something else for a little while. This is not to say you will break that addiction, because I have to admit I don't know if there's anything in this world that could cure my phone addiction. That being said, we at least have to try! It doesn't need to be completely cured, but we can totally tone it down a notch.

6. Too much social media can be, nay, IS toxic

social media facebook GIFGiphy

Social media totally has its good qualities, but most certainly has its toxic qualities as well. Whether that be comparing ourselves to others, obsessing over the latest trends, or even feeling excluded when seeing friends out and about without you, there are so many windows of opportunity for social media to make you feel like sh!t. So don't let it. Go be your boss ass self and stop comparing yourself to the many angles of instagram.

Bottom line is our phones shouldn't be our whole world, they should just be a small part of it. Try and make a conscious effort as to when you should/can be on your phone, and when it might be better to put it down. Now more than ever is a time to be present!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Recommended for you

6 Reasons To Put Your Phone Down ASAP

We're all addicted at least a little, don't even deny it.

1. Talk to and connect with the people around you

2. We are quite literally living through history right now

3. Protect your eyes

4. You’re probably using it as a procrastination tool

5. Break that addiction

6. Too much social media can be, nay, IS toxic

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10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

Who knows where we would be without them.

1. Thank you for laughing at my jokes, even when they really aren’t funny.

2. Thank you for singing unbearably loud with me all the time.

3. Thank you for letting me vent to you for hours about anything and basically being my personal therapist.

4. Thank you for ordering pizza with me at 2 in the morning.

5. Thank you for all the movie days when we don’t feel like moving.

6. Thank you for being my workout buddy everyday.

7. Thank you for sharing your closets with me.

8. Thank you for taking naps with me at random hours during the day.

9. Thank you for cleaning our home with me when we absolutely need to.

10. Thank you for all the rides when it’s late and you don’t want me to walk home alone in the dark.

11. Thank you for studying with me in our kitchen when we didn't want to go the library.

12. Thank you for making dinner with me.

13. Thank you for helping with my hair, makeup and outfit every time we go out.

14. Thank you for taking countless ugly pictures with me.

15. Thank you for not judging me when I go too long without showering.

16. Thank you for making our apartment feel like a second home.

17. Thank you for being there through all of our boy troubles.

18. Thank you for giving me a hug when I feel homesick.

19. Thank you for getting excited with me when one of us gets a good grade on an exam.

20. Thank you for still being my friend and not judging me when I say or do dumb things.

21. Thank you for telling me what I should do when I am sick.

22. Thank you for dancing horribly with me everywhere we go.

23. Thank you for staying up super late with me when we aren’t tired or can’t sleep.

24. Thank you for being super weird with me.

25. Thank you for all the unforgettable college memories.

26. And most of all, thank you for being the best friends a girl could have.

I may or may not be stressing right now.

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3. "I’m going to ace this."

4. "Focus!"

5."I have no idea what I'm reading."

6. "I should call my smart friend about this."

7. "I’m going to fail. I’m going to fail."

8. "I’m dropping out of school."

9. "What grade do I have to get on the final to pass the class?"

10. "Oh, no, I have to do good."

11. "I shouldn’t have procrastinated all semester."

12. "I wanna go to bed."

13. "We did not learn this!"

14. "I should go get food."

15. "Why do we even have finals?"

16. "I don’t want to be at the library."

17. "Get off your phone."

18. "I can watch Netflix for like 20 minutes and then go back to studying."

19. "I shouldn’t have watched Netflix."

20. "You have to study now!"

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Remember you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine. — Snow White

The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it. — Rafiki

You don't have time to be timid. You must be bold and daring. — Lumière

If watching is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya. — Laverne

Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one. — Grandmother Willow

Always let your conscience be your guide. — Jiminy Cricket

To infinity and beyond. — Buzz Lightyear

Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. — Pooh

Let it go. — Elsa

If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all. — Thumper

Today's special moments are tomorrow's memories. — Genie

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

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