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Don’t get me wrong. I love looking at my smartphone. I have seen amazing things there: stunning sights from the animal kingdom, insightful commentary, and inspiring testimonials.
But I am addicted. I let the phone distract me. It steals my break time. It draws me away from my family. When I wake in the middle of the night, it promises to lull me back to sleep, but it never does.
I was moved by something Arthur Brooks said when he was here at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, for our convocation this year. He talked about the need to be bored. The need to let your mind wander, to stay up late talking to your friends about how to save the world, or about which Super Bowl was the best.
We don’t do that anymore. Instead, we scroll on our phones, alone.
That got me thinking of all the things in our lives that are better than smartphones. So I made a list.
On walks, these things are better than smartphones:
The smell of rain reminding you of your childhood.
The memory of your first walk with your spouse.
The memory of your last walk with your mom.
Noticing that a neighbor hasn’t been home for a while.
Writing a story in your head that you may never write down — but might.
In your living room, these things are better than smartphone scrolling:
Looking through your couch and finding things you didn’t realize you were missing.
Listing in your mind how much harder your life would be without your family.
Daydreaming about standing up to a bully.
Piecing together the lyrics to the song that was your favorite when you were 12.
Coming up with the best possible book to buy for each of your children this Christmas.
While you’re waiting in line at the DMV, these things are better than your phone:
Watching the way people interact to learn how you can improve your own interactions.
Thinking through the things you can do in the coming week for your children.
Praying for the people who are going through a hard time all around you.
Being grateful for the good things that happen to others.
Remembering a joke you haven’t thought of in years but that you can spring on your family.
On a road trip, these things could be better than your phone:
Looking at the clouds in the sky and realizing the beauty God built into the world.
Thinking through the way your siblings could get along better, and how you can help that happen.
Planning your next career move, or your next trip to the zoo.
Singing (if you’re alone). Starting a sing-along (if you’re not alone).
Watching the road and thinking about, basically, nothing.
Some activities to plan without your phone:
Go outside for a walk — or to just sit in the outdoors.
Read a poem. Memorize a poem. Write a poem.
Read things written on paper: A book, a magazine, a newspaper, a flier, anything.
Be transformed in wonder, like Bishop James Conley.
But whatever you do without your phone — or with it — let St. Paul guide you:
“Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious — if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:12).
