Many of us aren't present. Mindfulness, presence, and meditation are trigger words and all the rage in the top online articles. I am not trying to jump on the sensational bandwagon here, but the core issues have been a problem for years. About two years ago, my mom and I were getting our nails done at a local salon. We say a mom and her young daughter, maybe five years old, getting pedicures. Initially, it seems like a sweet and fun gesture. One to pamper both of them and make the daughter feel like a real grown up. However, I quickly noticed the mom spent a lot of time on her phone. I am all about productivity and sending some quick check in texts, but this poor girl was sitting there, staring blankly ahead, while her mother missed a crucial bonding opportunity. Even in Germany, I would see moms (and yes, sometimes dads, men are guilty, too!) speed walking along with their strollers. I would venture a good 90% of them were always staring at their phones, not even looking where they were going. People waiting in line, on the train, or the second they sit down at a restaurant, immediately pull out their phones. Like spending one minute taking in your surroundings or just being still would be too painful to bear. Hell, we even had to create laws to get people to stop aimlessly flipping through social media at traffic lights and causing accidents.
My point is, I am guilty too. Tom has called me out on it, he will be just arriving home from work and I will pull out my phone instead of asking about his day. Dahu will want to play, I'll see a notification, and feel compelled to check it right away. That dreaded two minute wait in line at the store or Starbucks, oh man, talk about painful alone time. I go to my phone.
As a society we need to stop. There are commercials that play into our current culture, they show selfies, selfies of selfies, and Instagramming every meal and flower. Look at yourself, your friends, and your life for real. Not through a lens. See a pretty tree? Stop and look at the damn tree. Pumped about that bitchin omelette? Savor it with your senses, not your iphone. Babies know how to operate ipads with more ease than books. My dog has accidentally liked some Instagram photos. Our generations time on Earth will be remembered as never really experiencing life. Or just "doing it for the likes". This week, commit to spend time off your devices. I know it is unbelievably hard, but you will survive. One, even two hours a day completely tech free could be a huge step in the right direction. Give it a go. We could all use a detox.
