Reclaiming Our Lives: Why "Phone-Free February" Matters More Than Ever
Reclaiming Our Lives: Why "Phone-Free February" Matters More Than Ever
Let's be honest: the idea of going without our phones, even for a few hours, can feel downright impossible. Our smartphones have become extensions of our bodies. Wake up. Check phone. Brush teeth (maybe). Scroll. Work. Scroll. Parent. Scroll. Repeat. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
As I traveled this past week for a work conference, I found myself having more time to pay close attention to my relationship with my phone. I noticed how many children in airports and restaurants were being regulated with tablets and phones. I noticed how often people in conversation were distracted by their phones or felt the need to check their phones.
At that conference, a speaker said something that stuck with me: "When you are sharing a space with someone (virtually or in person) you are in a relationship with them." It made me think: How often are we physically with someone but emotionally else where? When someone senses we're distracted on our phones, the subconscious message is loud and clear: "You don't matter to me." Yikes.
And yet... it feels inescapable. Facebook is basically Instagram. YouTube is basically TikTok. Even LinkedIn is starting to feel like a social media rabbit hole. We tell ourselves, "I'll just check for a second," and next thing you know, it's been 45 minutes and you're somehow watching a video of a dog dancing to an 80s hit.
So why does this matter?
As Christine Rosen puts it in The Extinction of Experience: "We must reclaim serendipity, community, patience, and risk." These are the very things that make life rich and fulfilling. Yet we've replaced real-world community engagement with apps and algorithms. Instead of chatting with neighbors, we "like" their vacation photos. Instead of daydreaming or people-watching, we scroll.
But this isn’t just a philosophical problem, it’s a health one. Constant digital stimulation is linked to anxiety, sleep disturbances, attention issues, and even loneliness. Ironically, the very tools designed to connect us often leave us feeling more isolated.
When is it time to worry?
Here are some signs that things might be getting out of hand:
You carry your phone from room to room.
You check your phone before looking out the window, hugging your partner or kids, or drinking water in the morning.
You panic when you can't find your phone.
You can't watch a show or movie without scrolling through your phone simultaneously.
You get phantom vibrations (when you think your phone buzzed, but nope, your brain just made that up).
Your phone dies at 2 PM because you’ve been on it that much.
For neurodivergent individuals, screens can be incredibly regulating. The predictable nature of certain apps or games can provide a much-needed sense of calm and control. The goal isn’t to shame or eliminate that comfort, but about using it mindfully. Maybe it's setting designated times for screen use, choosing content that genuinely soothes (rather than overstimulates), or pairing screen time with other sensory supports like weighted blankets or movement breaks.
What are we losing as our screen time increases?
Time: Hours that could be spent outdoors, cooking, playing with kids, or (gasp) bored. Boredom, by the way, is where creativity is born.
Energy: Constant notifications and multitasking drain us. Ever feel exhausted after doing "nothing" all day? That’s digital fatigue.
Money: Subscriptions, in-app purchases, impulsive online shopping (thanks, Instagram ads)... it adds up.
How do we get it all back? SMALL, practical steps:
1. The "No-Phone Mornings" Challenge:
Try not to check your phone for the first 30 minutes of your day. Look out the window. Stretch. Hug someone. Drink water.
2. Designated Phone Zones:
Create no-phone zones at home (like the dinner table or bedroom). Buy an old-school alarm clock if you need to break the "phone as alarm" excuse.
3. Make Scrolling Inconvenient:
Delete the most time-sucking apps from your home screen. Move them into a folder called "Do I Really Need This?" (Spoiler: Probably not.)
4. Screen-Free Evenings:
Pick two nights a week to be completely phone-free after dinner. Play a game. Read a book. Talk (remember conversation?).
5. Involve Your Community:
Challenge friends or family to "Phone-Free Fridays." Winner gets... well, their life back.
6. For Parents:
Before setting limits with kids, focus on your habits first. Children notice everything. If you're saying "no screens at dinner" while answering emails, the message won’t land. Spend a month working on your own usage, then involve your kids in creating family tech rules. Ask them, "What do you think is a fair rule? How can we all spend more time together without screens?" Kids are often surprisingly insightful.
7. For Neurodivergent Family Members:
If screens are calming, that’s okay! Create intentional screen time plans: "After we play outside for 20 minutes, you can have 30 minutes with your tablet." Offer alternatives that meet the same sensory needs, like noise-canceling headphones or fidget toys.
Conversations to spark change:
"How do you feel after being on your phone for a long time? Energized or drained?"
"What’s something we could do together without screens this weekend?"
"What would it be like if we all put our phones away for one hour tonight?"
Final thoughts:
It’s not about demonizing technology. Phones can connect us, educate us, and even provide comfort. But when they start to replace the very experiences that make life meaningful, serendipity, community, patience, and risk, it’s time to pause.
Start small. Laugh at yourself when you reach for your phone out of habit (we all do it). Celebrate little wins, like noticing the sunrise instead of notifications. Reclaiming your time isn’t just good for you, it’s good for everyone you share a space with.
So... ready to put the phone down? Your life is waiting.
With love & gratitude,
Founder & CEO
