Touch Grass: A Break-up Letter to Your Screen Time

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Dear Screen Time, 

I think we should go on a break.   

Do not get me wrong: thank you for the wonderful time that we had this summer! The memes, the memories, all the sleepless nights by your side...  

I like you, but if I were to really take a step back, I do not exactly love you – and for that, I need some space from you.  

Yes, you are attentive and listen to everything I say, but I do not feel truly heard. Instead, you always bring up other people, like my friends and even people I do not know at all, and parade their new hairstyles, the 7^th book they are reading this summer, their successes, right in front of my face... while seeming to ignore all of mine.  

You ran my train of thoughts of unhealthy and impulsive behaviors off its track! I love that you are always there for me during those difficult moments, but somehow, it always feels like I am there because of you.

After long and careful reflection, I realized, there are so many other ways to get the fulfilment and reassurance I crave:

1. I am becoming more intentional. I know that when I was with you, it seemed like my whole life revolved around you. By reducing my time with you, I am not only becoming intentional with the time I have with you, but also having more meaningful time with myself. I am becoming more aware of the bad habits you fuel, and which ones can stop right now. 

2. I am shifting the comparison mindset that you encouraged. My mornings should start with compassion, not comparison. The rate at which you have shown me everyone’s lives and liberties should inspire me, not discourage me. Instead of asking myself, “Why don’t I have that?” I will begin asking myself, “What does this tell me about what I value?”

From now on, I am using comparison as a mirror—not a measuring stick. 

3. I am prioritizing the real-life moments. I have spent so much time with you, looking down, and that has made me miss all of the moments that were happening right in front of me. Looking up is looking forward, and I am reminding myself it is never too late to prioritize what is in front of me. I will meet up with friends, go outside, start a new hobby, or just enjoy being bored!

My life will no longer be determined by the ideal that you have shown me, Screen Time, and how dare you make me believe that it was ever a non-negotiable. You had me for a second, but my summer does not have to look like yours, because I am not defined by you.

By being mindful of how I use my phone and how I think about others online, I can create a more grounded, joyful summer—one scroll at a time. 

So if you wish to notify me, I will be too busy touching grass.  

All my love,

Your former avid scroller.