When I first got to Peru 12 years ago, no one had smart phones. I remember living in awe when people would smile and say hi. When they would have laughing conversations on public transport. I cried. I missed it so much. Humanity. I missed humanity. Now since 2020, the phones started pouring in and the laughter stopped, the chatter gone, just blue screens and dead faces. I went without a smart phone for 7 years. It was the most cathartic time for me, to reconnect to my intuition, my reality, and humanity. I have one again, and that pull is real. I'm glad to see so many other people, pulling their eyes up to find the twinkle in someone elses. Big hug. keep going
Thank you for sharing, Megan! Yes, the missing piece of humanity is "lost". The digital age is real and it's a struggle. It's like saying hi to your neighbors isn't really a thing anymore, ahah. That's why I make it habit to unplug and focus on life itself.
This is such an important topic. I often find myself observing the same things. But I do find hope and optimism when I'm out in nature and see others doing the same as me (i.e., not looking at their phones). Standing in line at a bank can be boring, so it's harder to resist the reach (for your phone). So I love all your suggestions for finding connection. (Also, I love your publication name, "Storytelling Sparks"!!)
Super post, Bryan! When I competed in poker tournaments, my mother, Mama Peggy told me when there was a break, to go hug a tree.
I appreciated that positive grounding effect, and she motivated me to get up from the computer. She also told me to go outside and look at all the different greens
"Playing in the dirt" was her way of extending the quality of her life.
Thank you very much Donna! Mama Peggy is a very wise woman. Maybe I need to go hug a tree too so I can stop being distracted. Hahahaha. I'm teaching my daughter to limit screen time and it's really hard. She's 6 years old.
Bryan, I see what you see all the time. People out restaurants on their phones instead of having conversations with each other and the list goes on and on. I have made it a priority that when I’m with people my phone is put up if it rings I’ll look and unless it’s an emergency I’m not gonna answer it if I’m with someone. I do have to keep my phone with me however 24 hours a day seven days a week due to my mom and step fathers conditions, even though they live next-door.
We live on 10 acres in a few years ago. I built a fire pit for myself and when I go out at night and sit for 3-4 hours or so, enjoying the stars and nature, I let them know the phone is inside if there’s an emergency you have to come outside and get me.
We really do have to make a conscious decision to interact with others, and not being addicted to our phones or whatever other screens we have. Have a really good friend, and the thing is she’s much younger she’s 32 she will not allow her children to be on her phone. She’s very strict about that. She says I do not want them to get addicted to phones. And she’s a very good example of it. You might text her and you might not hear from her for a week. She mainly uses her phone for phone calls, but really stays off of it and the computer more than anybody I’ve ever met in my life…. I actually had to get used to it 😉
Kathleen, thank you for the wonderful insight and comment! I agree has to be a priority to connect with people everyday.
I like to connect with nature since that really grounds me so I can unplug think about life. On a bigger perspective. I think we need a lot of those as humans.
When I first got to Peru 12 years ago, no one had smart phones. I remember living in awe when people would smile and say hi. When they would have laughing conversations on public transport. I cried. I missed it so much. Humanity. I missed humanity. Now since 2020, the phones started pouring in and the laughter stopped, the chatter gone, just blue screens and dead faces. I went without a smart phone for 7 years. It was the most cathartic time for me, to reconnect to my intuition, my reality, and humanity. I have one again, and that pull is real. I'm glad to see so many other people, pulling their eyes up to find the twinkle in someone elses. Big hug. keep going
Thank you for sharing, Megan! Yes, the missing piece of humanity is "lost". The digital age is real and it's a struggle. It's like saying hi to your neighbors isn't really a thing anymore, ahah. That's why I make it habit to unplug and focus on life itself.
That's incredible! thank you!
You're welcome
This is such an important topic. I often find myself observing the same things. But I do find hope and optimism when I'm out in nature and see others doing the same as me (i.e., not looking at their phones). Standing in line at a bank can be boring, so it's harder to resist the reach (for your phone). So I love all your suggestions for finding connection. (Also, I love your publication name, "Storytelling Sparks"!!)
Thank you Sheridan! Appreciate you reading, means a lot! Im glad you can relate!
Yes, standing in any line I try not to look at my phone. It's a challenge. Glad you like my publication name! 😀
So long as it's a challenge, limiting phone time will always be a worthwhile practice. Thanks Bryan!
You're welcome yessssss it's a challenge but worth it
Super post, Bryan! When I competed in poker tournaments, my mother, Mama Peggy told me when there was a break, to go hug a tree.
I appreciated that positive grounding effect, and she motivated me to get up from the computer. She also told me to go outside and look at all the different greens
"Playing in the dirt" was her way of extending the quality of her life.
Thank you very much Donna! Mama Peggy is a very wise woman. Maybe I need to go hug a tree too so I can stop being distracted. Hahahaha. I'm teaching my daughter to limit screen time and it's really hard. She's 6 years old.
Your child is second generation a technology natives, I suspect, Bryan.
You might make tree-hugging a father-daughter playtime 🤗
Oh yes can't wait she'll learn from her daddy hahahhaha
Bryan, I see what you see all the time. People out restaurants on their phones instead of having conversations with each other and the list goes on and on. I have made it a priority that when I’m with people my phone is put up if it rings I’ll look and unless it’s an emergency I’m not gonna answer it if I’m with someone. I do have to keep my phone with me however 24 hours a day seven days a week due to my mom and step fathers conditions, even though they live next-door.
We live on 10 acres in a few years ago. I built a fire pit for myself and when I go out at night and sit for 3-4 hours or so, enjoying the stars and nature, I let them know the phone is inside if there’s an emergency you have to come outside and get me.
We really do have to make a conscious decision to interact with others, and not being addicted to our phones or whatever other screens we have. Have a really good friend, and the thing is she’s much younger she’s 32 she will not allow her children to be on her phone. She’s very strict about that. She says I do not want them to get addicted to phones. And she’s a very good example of it. You might text her and you might not hear from her for a week. She mainly uses her phone for phone calls, but really stays off of it and the computer more than anybody I’ve ever met in my life…. I actually had to get used to it 😉
Kathleen, thank you for the wonderful insight and comment! I agree has to be a priority to connect with people everyday.
I like to connect with nature since that really grounds me so I can unplug think about life. On a bigger perspective. I think we need a lot of those as humans.