A few days ago, a young couple came into the restaurant I waitress at, requesting a table for two by the window so they could enjoy the scenic view of the water. After they were seated, I immediately saw the glow of their phone screens illuminating their faces and knew that they were going to be those people. The kind of people who, despite a real-life experience in front of them, choose to stare at their phones. Throughout the meal they were mesmerized by the content on their screens, barely talking to each other, and texting as I took their order (the man also had his vape on the table––cringe). I've seen a lot of this kind of behavior since I've started serving tables, and it's got me thinking about why we seem to choose not to live in the moment, but instead we are just so obsessed over checking our social media, responding to texts and emails, and capturing a photo to post or a snapchat story to even live life through our own eyes, not through our phones.

I can't say that I, myself, am not guilty of constantly checking my phone. It's simply how many of us have grown up with technology at our fingertips. It's convenient and it's fun. Capturing a fire pic for the gram is without a doubt super satisfying, right? There is so much you can do with a smartphone, so why not take advantage of it? But we need to draw the line and just put the phone away and enjoy what is in front of us.

Last week I saw an article about Apple banning the use of iPhone cameras at concerts. Basically, infrared technology would be used to block fans from recording live concerts. I've definitely been to concerts where people are just holding up their phones recording, and they miss the entire live show so they can relive it in pixelated quality later on. To be honest, I don't think this is the worst idea. Obviously it's cool to capture a moment that means something to you, but recording a live concert you paid to go to? Just enjoy what is going on around you. It's much better to remember the awesome time you had rather than what it felt like holding up your phone the whole time.

How many of you get honestly stressed out when you've been away from your phone for hours, knowing you have to catch up on all the posts, tweets, and updates that people have been sharing while you've been talking to real people? Sometimes after I get out of work or even just upon waking up in the morning, I feel legitimately overwhelmed by what I have to catch up on. Since when has this become a serious stress factor in our lives?

There's really nothing worse then spending time with someone who won't get off their phone. It doesn't really matter where you are or what you're doing. Staring down at a screen while you are in the company of someone else is rude. Especially when that someone is trying to have a conversation with you. I'm very aware that this kind of thing is what my generation is known for, but I'm trying not to be that type of person who prioritizes social media over interaction with my friends and family.

Obviously there are a lot of really great things about the technology that almost all of us carry in our pockets. But try to think about how our constant addiction to our cell phones is killing human interaction and real life experience. When you're with someone, really interact with them. Don't just stare at your phones in the same room. Next time you're at a concert, just watch it, because the chances of you pulling out that low quality video you took at a concert are slim to none. Instead of trying to capture the sunset at the perfect light and angle so you can post it on Instagram, just enjoy it. Just don't live your life through screen.