Time well wasted

Checking your phone has become a normal, habitual behavior. Even if you just checked it, you open it again as part of a subconscious decision. However, this extra time spent on phones is just time wasted, as nothing gets accomplished except for wasting a few seconds.

It has become a habit for many people to go on their phones, even if there is no real purpose or thought involved in the decision.

Whether it is to waste time or “just because”, people spend extra, unproductive time on their phones.

In her article How to Spend Less (Meaningless) Time on your Phone, Niamh Ní Mhuirí stated: “I don’t mind sitting on my phone if I’m replying to messages, ringing people or checking the weather to see what coat I should wear. What I do mind is the pointless, mindless scrolling for literally no reason other than killing a whole 15 seconds of time.” 

Some people might argue that they go on their phone because nothing else happens. But I would argue that nothing happens either way. Unless you respond to a text or do something important to you, then doing nothing and being present in the moment is better than doing nothing and blocking out your surroundings.

So why is it that we spend so much unnecessary time on our phones? Well, one answer to that might be some form of addiction. People relate their phones with social interaction, and become accustomed to always checking their phone, and then wasting time if nothing is new.

“That cycle can lead to a tipping point: when your phone ceases to be something you enjoy and becomes something you’re virtually compelled to use,” stated Rebecca Joy Stanborough in her article How to Tell If You Could Be Addicted to Your Phone.

Most people will dispute the implication that their phone has any control over them. But in some instances, this is not the case. How many times are you on your phone when you could be productive? Or something that you actually want to do? But some people just can’t put it down. Even if cell phone addiction doesn’t apply to you, you likely still feel compelled in some way to check your phone more often than is necessary.

We need to take a moment to reset, and be present in the moment. Constant activity is not always good. 

“Technology has become so embedded in daily life it can be hard to imagine stepping away. But it’s important to establish boundaries and take control. When we do, it will benefit our mental and physical health in so many ways,” said Dr. Shilagh Mirgain in his article titled Taking a Technology Break Can Help Your Health.

The importance of staying up-to-date could make it tough for people to agree that they need to set boundaries. But those updates will always be there for you. Checking your phone too often might result in spending more unnecessary time.

Time wasting on your phone and feeling compelled to go on it is not beneficial to you, and does not maximize your time.

Using your phone is by no means a concern. It is useful to connect with others or provide entertainment; however, when you aren’t doing that then it becomes an issue.