I am not entirely sure how this article made me feel. Though, what I do know is that my sometimes odd desire of wanting growing up in another generation was just justified.

In truth, what I think about Twenge’s argument is that so many problems among our generation are tied to smartphone usage. From personal experience with my friends, I have encountered precisely what she reported. Especially with mental health and body image. Yes, there are always exceptions and outliers, though, overall she nailed it right on the head. The fact that we eat, sleep, live, and breath with our smartphones is a terrifying reality. It isn’t until we truly step back, remove ourselves from the technology, and look around to see that it overtakes our daily lives.

When I think about technology uses and what to keep in mind when it comes to personal usage is something I hear at home. My mom always says, (GUILTY, when I too have spent too much time on my phone) “how is it benefitting you,” and my dad follows with, “how is what you’re doing helping others.” And frankly, they are entirely and compellingly right. How is my scrolling through Instagram or snapping on Snapchat benefiting myself or others? Simply, IT’S NOT. And this, truly understanding this and accepting it is challenging, something I am still working (even sometimes struggling) on myself.

Let me leave you with this. I agree, taking a 15 or 20-minute break and mindlessly spending time on your phone can be a great way to relax. But be honest with yourself. Have you ever looked at your phone just for a minute or even a few minutes, and those few minutes turned into a few more minutes and even an hour? Do you ever wish you could get that time back or wish you could have (maybe even should have) been doing something else? Just think about that the next time you pick up your phone.

P.S. What about being mindful?