How to connect with others by disconnecting with your phone
By Ann Shelley: Opinion Editor
In today’s society, there seems to be an ongoing trend that it is hard for anyone to disconnect. Disconnect in the terms of not being on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Netflix or whatever other media. If I had to grow up in this day and age I would be horrified. I would have no idea how to communicate without an iPhone or keep myself entertained without an iPad. Every time I go out to a restaurant I constantly see parents just give their children an iPad and headphones to watch their favorite show while the parents eat in peace. However, I don’t think they really understand they are starting to create a trend. I can’t go to dinner with my friends without having someone have to be on their phone to text someone back or snapchat. I created some ideas of how to disconnect to connect with the people you are hanging out with.
- Winner winner chicken dinner! Something my family actually started doing was every time we go out to dinner we put all of our phones in the center of the table so that we aren’t distracted by incoming texts or snapchats during dinner. My parents love doing this because my dad tends to always want to check his email, as much as, my sister and I check our phones. Next time you’re out with your friends try this — who knows you may discover something new about your best friends?
- Can I get some applause? If anyone has been to a concert recently have you noticed the one thing that has started to completely block the view of the artist? Every human being in the audience seems to have their phones out recording the person singing live on their Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook Live, videos and probably plenty others I don’t know. How about you put that phone away and actually enjoy yourself and the venue. Believe it or not people actually used to just go to a concert to enjoy a live concert. They didn’t go to post about how great of a time you had with a selfie or never-ending Snapchat stories. Next concert you attend (T-Pain HPU spring concert) just be in the moment and disconnect from the media world.
- Hobby Lobby is heaven on earth! Something that really helps me disconnect from the social media world is having photography as my hobby. I am able to do something that makes others around me feel good being in their own skin. It’s nice to be able to make others feel that confident about themselves in that way instead of by double tapping on their Instagram picture and commenting the typical “SLAY.” Find something that makes you feel purposeful and takes you away from the outside world. Whether it be journaling, painting, drawing, coloring or whatever other hobby is your calling.
- I want to be a yogi when I grow up! I don’t really but participating in yoga is the best form of therapy you can find that’s at some studios only $10.00 a class. This way you are able to take time away from your social media fairy land and actually connect with other people around you. Every single person I have met when I attend my yoga classes are super successful human beings. However, I would have never known them if I hadn’t disconnected. You may fall upon an incredible opportunity when you take the time to get to know the people around you.
- Paper is dead? No, not everything is electronic believe it or not. There are bookstores stocked full of books about all different stories with completely opposite ideas. This is the beauty of reading a book. It takes you to a whole different world and guess what — you can pick what world you want to read about! Curl up with a book and a fuzzy blanket with some tea and call it a night. The best way to completely disconnect is to go old school with some books.