Pick It Up Or Put It Down?

Everywhere you go, everyone is just looking down at their phones. In the house, on the road, in the airport, in the toilet, in the park, in class, at work...everywhere! Parents used to ask us "Why are you always on the phone?" Now, even parents are always on the phone. Young parents place a phone in front of their toddlers to keep them quiet or to get them to eat. You can't say anything cos if you do, this is what you'll hear "I know what I'm doing with my kid. It's none of your business." Sounds familiar? How about this image...looks familiar? 

Is it right? Is it wrong? There's no right or wrong. But is it healthy? Definitely, NO. We have become much more connected on the net compared to real life. Our partners, parents, kids, friends may be around us but we could be so obsessed with continuously checking on our WhatsApp texts, emails, pointless scrolling through apps like Instagram / Facebook. You might catch yourself or the people around you smiling at screens but not at the people present right there. Pathetic, isn't it?

Do you realize what you are actually losing? You are losing your TIME, something you will never get back! Have you also noticed how fast time flies when you are just scrolling through these apps and on the other hand how restless you become thinking why does it feel like forever sitting around without your phone? It's like, you just don't know what to do...you got a minute while waiting for your food to arrive, you pick up your phone. You are going to take a shit, you pick up your phone. You are at the cinema waiting for the movie to begin, you pick up your phone. You are stuck in the jam, you pick up your phone. Your husband/wife walks away, you pick up your phone. In fact, you wake up in the morning, the first thing you do is you pick up your phone! And then what happens? Pointless scrolling. This, my friends is phone addiction! I'm guilty as charged! Even my partner and I look at our phone screens more than we look at each other's faces. There used to be a time where we argued about this, but now it's just the "New Norm!" 

The people or the things you do on your phone will seem more fun, interesting and entertaining. But always remember, the person next to you is the one who will be there for you when you need them. Don't miss your days staring at your screens when you have your loved ones beside you. You don't have to sacrifice your entire screen time. But learn to find your balance. Just because everyone is doing it, doesn't mean it's fine to do so. You are missing out on soooo many things around you. Do not let smartphones consume you, your time and your relationship with those around you. 

There's a saying in Tamil that goes, "Aluvuku minjinal, amirthamum nanju" which simply means, anything beyond the limit, is of no good. So think about it...the choice is yours, pick it up or put it down!