Unplugging For What Matters

Raise your hand if you're guilty of this: You're out to dinner with friends or family, and instead of being fully present, you're low-key catching up on the football scores or seeing what your favourite Insta Celeb had for dinner? We've all been there - virtually living in our phones, prioritizing that digital world over the real one unfolding right in front of us.

But here's the hard truth: That constant convenience of having the world at our fingertips has made us absolutely suck at being truly connected humans. When was the last time you had a conversation - a real, undivided, look-them-in-the-eyes kind of conversation - without your damn phone buzzing every five minutes?

Exactly.

The Digital Distraction Disease

Listen, I get it. We're all terrified of that dreaded FOMO - the fear that if we're not online 24/7, our whole lives might pass us by without a trace. But let's be honest here... More often than not, that obsessive digital pull is just a flimsy excuse to avoid being vulnerably present in real life.

"The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history." - George Orwell

Swap "history" for "presence," and Orwell hits the nail on the head. We're so consumed by this fictional digital world that we're 100% checked out of the real, wildly beautiful one happening all around us.

The more consumed we get with those fleeting notifications and virtual engagements, the more we're actively disengaging with the 3D people, moments, sights and feelings of actual life. It's one thing to stay connected - it's another to be a full-on addict prioritizing the matrix over the living, breathing experiences our minds and souls truly need to thrive.

The Burnout Is Real

To be crystal clear, this isn't just some philosophical rant about disconnection. It's a harsh truth backed by reams of clinical data on the psychological and physiological tolls our screen addictions are taking.

Excessive digital stimuli spikes anxiety, depression, poor sleep, memory issues and more. Not to mention how continually switching between virtual "tasks" and conversations absolutely decimates our ability to focus and be productive in real life. In escaping reality via our devices, we're actually just subjecting our minds and bodies to relentless, unhealthy stressors.

"Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master." - Christian Lous Lange

Face it: Every time you unconsciously reach for your phone instead of being present with loved ones, you're letting technology rule your existence rather than leveraging it as the tool it's meant to be. Is that really how you want to experience this wildly precious life?

The Antidote to Doomscrolling

Okay, let's get to the good news: Unplugging and prioritizing your real relationships can be the antidote to so much of that mental, emotional and physical toxicity. Genuine in-person connection - as mushy as it sounds - is a scientifically proven way to reduce depression, lower anxiety, boost oxytocin and feel a deeper sense of purpose.

The punchline? Your real superpower isn't being able to keep 12 group chat conversations going at once. It's knowing when to put down the damn phone and tune into the people who actually deserve your energy and attention. Not a single Avenger would've saved the world if they were too busy Insta-scrolling to pay attention to each other's presence!

"None of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love, and together we can do something wonderful." - Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa wasn't talking about refreshing Instagram stories in that quote, but her wisdom remains true. Your friends, family, loved ones - these people aren't just data points in your contact list. They're walking, talking, loving sources of the rich, beautiful experiences you'll hopefully reminisce on from a rocking chair someday. Nurture them accordingly! As in, put the effing phone down and tune the heck in.

Why Unplugging Is a Must

Look, I could spend all day lecturing about the spiritual importance of presence, but you're not totally sold yet, are you? So, let's get tactical about why face-to-face time with the people who matter is so vital:

For Your Mental and Emotional Well-Being

Having a strong family support system is a proven buffer against stress, anxiety and overall poorer life satisfaction. Not to mention, doing activities that strengthen those emotional bonds - game nights, cooking together, even just watching a movie in the same room - creates lasting memories to cherish forever.

Quality family time doesn't just feel good in the moment; it's an investment in your long-term mental health and ability to cope with inevitable challenges.

For Your Kids' Development

If you have young children in your life, wake up - they need you in a profound way. Quality family time boosts emotional security, social skills, academic performance and overall self-esteem in kids. And it's not just about the big, fancy outings. Even activities as simple as reading together or exploring outdoors create formative childhood experiences they'll subconsciously link to feeling loved and secure.

On the other hand, having a parent who's perpetually zoned out prioritizing their phone? That breeds kids who feel lonely, anxious and genuinely traumatized by emotional neglect. Be present now or pay the price in therapy bills later!

For Richer Platonic and Romantic Bonds

Just like family ties, strong friendships and couples connections are forged through accumulating shared experiences and vulnerabilities over time. It's why the most satisfying, enduring marriages and besties-for-life happen between those who've weathered storms together through open communication and quality time.

Inside jokes, heart-to-heart conversations that leave you feeling truly seen, delirious late-night laughing fits... That intimacy simply cannot be replicated over impersonal group chats or social media channels. Nurturing face time with your tribe is the real secret to fostering those supportive, unconditional bonds that'll never be replaced by virtual "friendships."

For An Environment Promoting Mutual Growth

Whether it's family, lovers or BFFs, healthy relationships involve give-and-take. We need our people not just for moral support during hard times, but to encourage and help uplevel each other into our highest selves every single day.

Strong support systems keep us more motivated to chase those big shared dreams, believing in our limitless potential. More importantly, they call us out on our bulls*it - those limiting beliefs, toxic patterns and instances of outright self-sabotage. This kind of accountability is essential for continual growth on all fronts.

Needless to say, you can't do that kind of deep, transformational work with loved ones if you're never present with them to begin with! Unplugging is a must for fostering relationships and personal environments genuinely committed to upward spirals.

Tips to Increase Face Time

Clearly you can't just go cold turkey - your phone dependency is an addiction, after all. But there are absolutely small, manageable steps you can take to steadily prioritize more face time:

• Schedule recurring family activities like game nights, nature walks, etc. and treat them as actual calendar obligations.
• Institute "No Phones During X Hours" while at home with kids in the evenings or for routine date nights.
• Enlist a friend as an accountability buddy you can check in with, share struggles and celebrate wins! Changing habits always works better with a partner.
• Try removing certain apps from your phone for periods of time, like deleting social media from Friday to Sunday. Even tiny breaks can be eye-opening.
• When visiting with people, make a point to actually listen and engage. Ask curious questions about what's happening in their lives. Look them in the eyes and be truly present!

This isn't about being perfect. It's about making a conscious effort to audit your digital habits, get honest about whether they're serving you, and start chipping away in favour of embracing more real experiences with those you cherish most.

We're All Works in Progress

If anything from this piece resonated with you, take heart: None of us are immune to nomophobia (yes, there is a word for phone addiction) and virtual living these days. The world is literally designed to keep us mindlessly dependent on our devices for cheap dopamine.

But we're also designed for so much more - to live authentic, connected, vividly present lives in communion with fellow humans. Will you indulge FOMO from time to time and fall back into digital rabbit holes? Sure, that's just being deliciously imperfect. The key is getting honest with yourself about this endless online pull, then consistently realigning with your priorities.

For me, this past weekend (Father's Day weekend) was a powerful reminder about what truly matters most. Silly jokes and unapologetic belly laughs over good home cooked food with my loved ones. Those are the beautiful moments and memories that you can’t put a price on.

Let’s make these a regular part of our lives. Go forth, unplug, and reclaim your life from the digital deluge. The real you—and your real relationships—are way too valuable to be lost in the virtual noise.

With tough love and a virtual in person fist-bump,

Sam x