Pick your head up, put the phone down

Have you ever walked into a restaurant, doctor’s office or any other room and just looked around?

Have you ever noticed how often people look up? Have you ever noticed how much you look up?

I was having a conversation with a friend recently about how much people waste their time on social media, especially on their phones.

I have seen a family or a group of friends sitting at a table in a restaurant and all of them are looking at their phone or making someone else look at something on their phone.

People rarely look up from their phones, or even tablets, while out in public, and sometimes even in their homes.

I can say this because I am one of those people. I do this myself.

I have caught myself sitting in a room full of other people, friends or strangers, and I am literally looking at videos of food on my phone while others do whatever they do on theirs.

No one seems to talk to each other without a phone in their hand anymore.

I have even caught myself sitting on my couch with something from Netflix playing in the background, scrolling through Facebook and not even focusing on one thing on my newsfeed.

Do you know what I could be doing during that time that I’m wasting?

I could be grading the papers I haven’t finished grading for my students. I’m about a week behind.

I could prepare meals for the week, which would help my overall health and keep some money in my pocket.

I could spend that time taking a walk outside and experiencing nature. What a concept.

I could even take that time and read some of the books that I’ve spent money on and never opened.

Still, I just scroll through the newsfeeds of my various social media accounts and their apps on my phone.

I’m really bothered by how much I’ve come to depend on them to make it through the day.

So, I’m trying to make a conscious effort to pick my head up and put my phone down.

I’ve tried putting my phone down in the past, and I felt uncomfortable.

I mean, it’s not as normal to catch the eye of strangers or start conversations with them. Of course, this could just be me – the person who basically grew up with technology in my hand.

Though it can be uncomfortable at times, I have had the opportunity to have short conversations with others.

I got to engage with those around me. It’s an exhilarating feeling.

I don’t know when I became addicted to the Buy, Sell, and Trade page on Facebook or my Instagram account.

I don’t know when my conversations stopped being about the things I have learned or asking others for their opinions on various topics other than if I should post a picture or make a new status.

I don’t know when I started only talking about memes, what someone else posted or the latest Tasty video.

I don’t know when this all happened, but I’m going to try to change it.

It’s going to be hard, I know.

Still, for those who run into me at the supermarket or on the street, you may see me looking around more, and you may catch my eye every now and then.

Don’t be weirded out if you do.

It’s just me picking my head up, putting my phone down and taking in the world around me.

Cassie Gibbs is a staff writer for The Southeast Sun and Daleville Sun-Courier. The opinions of this writer are her own and not the opinion of the paper. She can be reached at (334) 393-2969 or by email at [email protected].