When was the last time you went more than an hour without checking your phone?
Like many of us, I work remotely and keep my phone close for emails and messages. Over time, that habit stretched past regular hours: late-night pings, weekend “urgent” texts, and a constant, nagging urge to refresh messages “just one more time” left me anxious and exhausted.
A quick look at national trends shows I’m not alone:
- 4 hours 30 minutes — the average daily time Americans spend on their phones, up 52% since 2022. That’s the equivalent of a part-time job.
- 57% of Americans call themselves “mobile phone addicts.” Three in four feel uneasy without their phones; nearly half panic when their battery dips below 20%.
- Children now get their first phones around age 11½, and by 15 almost all have one. Nearly half of teens worry they spend too much time on their devices.
- (Source: Consumer Affairs, March 2025)
These numbers are sobering. But what struck me even more was how normal the constant connection had become for me… and how hard it was to break.
After one particularly busy week of meetings, messages, and Zoom calls, I couldn’t take it anymore. So I tried something radical (at least, to me). I turned my phone off for an entire Saturday. No email. No smartwatch. I went about life like it was 1992: radio on in the car, dogs trotting happily beside me and my partner on a long walk in the park.
At first my mind kept spinning on What if I miss something? By mid-afternoon the anxiety peaked and I gave in, turning the phone back on at 4 p.m., frantically refreshing the four email inboxes that I manage.
But there was nothing.
No emergencies. No urgent emails. Nothing at all.
The relief was startling. I realized I can (and should!) take more breaks from being constantly connected. I can log off and recharge. If something truly critical happens, people who need me have other ways to reach me. The rest can wait.
Now, I give myself permission to set clear boundaries:
- Email gets checked only on the laptop (because that’s where I have all the information to respond to the emails anyway)
- Weekends are phone-only (no apps, just phone calls to family)
- Music and reading happen off-screen: with our stereo, radio, or actual books.
These small shifts have helped me breathe easier and feel more ready to handle everything else life brings.
Our devices are powerful tools, but they don’t have to rule our attention. Sometimes the most radical act is simply choosing to log off and create your own peace. This weekend, try it yourself: turn off your phone for a few hours and notice what you gain.
At The Meetinghouse, we believe real connection happens face to face. Come experience it with us with any of our upcoming events! We have several new offerings coming soon, like:
- Art Exhibits, displaying local artists Nancy Moore and Polly Castor
- Music Events for XUR Local Music Showcase and the Shane Peters Electric Trio
- Perhaps most exciting, our upcoming Poets & Prophets Weekend, kicking off with a free community Open Mic Night on Friday. Join us Saturday for “Nurturing the Poet & Prophet Within,” a series of workshops where we take a day apart to develop as leaders – as the poet-prophets – that we want to be in the world.
Or simply drop by The Market for coffee and conversation any time. We’d love to see you (no screens required)!
