One morning recently, I didn’t pick up my iPad as I usually do. Instead, I picked up my coffee and listened to We Are the People by Empire of the Sun, followed by Love & Hate by Michael Kiwanuka. Both are hauntingly beautiful songs. It made me realise how nice it was to simply sit with my own thoughts and let my mind wander wherever it wanted.
As I sipped my coffee, it occurred to me just how much social media had taken over my life. Somewhere along the way, I’d forgotten how to slow down, enjoy the present, and simply be. I’m constantly scrolling through Facebook and Instagram, replying to comments and maintaining an online presence. This year I also took on an active admin role in a Facebook group. Even when I do stop, I’m usually thinking about my next blog post.
What happened to real life? What happened to having thoughts inspired by the world outside a screen?
For the past two Christmases, I’ve taken a break from social media. One year I intended to stay away only over Christmas, but I enjoyed it so much that I ended up staying away for three months.
Gradually, though, it’s crept back into my life, and I hadn’t really noticed. I’ve talked about this before, so I’m certainly not setting myself up as a shining example. We’re all conditioned now, and if you stop and think about it, that’s quite frightening.
Before social media took hold, we would happily sit alone, staring into space and letting random thoughts drift in and out. We noticed the sounds around us, watched people passing by, and absorbed the world through our senses. We gave our minds room to wander. Now, those quiet moments are often filled by a screen.
Whenever we have a spare moment, habit has us reaching for our phones. I’ve also noticed that hardly anyone seems to walk without looking at one. It’s like watching zombies, all trapped in worlds that no one else can see.
So what’s the answer? I don’t really know. Like everything else, it comes down to taking responsibility for ourselves. The first step is recognising how much time we spend online and being honest about how dependent we’ve become.
I want to cut back again. I want to have breakfast without looking at a screen, enjoy the morning, and be present. But I also have a book being released next month. I need to maintain an online presence because, if I disappear, people forget I’m here and my books won’t sell. I have admin responsibilities in a group that I genuinely enjoy. I don’t want to give it all up, yet part of me does.
Ultimately, it’s up to each of us to decide how much of our lives we’re willing to give away. Otherwise, being online can quietly consume a frightening number of hours every single day.
And do you know what? It’s okay to be bored. You don’t have to fill every spare minute staring at a screen just because you have nothing else to do.
So try to find a little time in your day to simply be present. As for me, I’m going to enjoy my breakfast and spend at least an hour without doomscrolling. I have a feeling I’ll enjoy my coffee a lot more.
World of Stories 