I adore the second school gets out; it means less schoolwork, responsibilities, and general worries. But after a week, some days begin to drag on, and I end up turning to my phone for entertainment. I’ll sit on my phone or watch TV for hours at a time, letting days waste away to technology. By the time school comes back around, I feel panicked, like I’d taken advantage of my time, and feel like I missed out on so much. But how can we limit our screen times and eliminate that wasting feeling?
My biggest tip is to put screen time limits on apps. My mom used to monitor my screen time, and a while ago, when looking at my screen time, she accidentally put a one-hour limit on every app on my phone. The limit is easily lifted by clicking “Ignore Limit,” but I’ve seen my screen time go down significantly since having the limit on my phone. It makes me aware of how much I’m on my phone, like a reminder to set it down and try other things; yet, if I do feel like having a lazy day, I can take more time to be on my phone. If the ability to ignore the limit is too threatening to your screen time, one of my friends had someone else put a limit on her phone with a password she didn’t know for all social media, and if she wanted more screen time, she would have to ask her friend. Although in theory it may seem silly, it is an effective way to limit your screen time with your friends and still have access to your phone.
The biggest reason I tend to go on my phone is that I’m bored. A phone gives so many opportunities to do things, and I tend to fall towards it when I don’t know what else can take my time. Finding other things to do can significantly decrease your screen time quickly, without even knowing it. Finding activities to do outside can take you off your phone, like playing pickleball, going for walks, riding a bike, going to a pool, and so much more. Making a routine of one of these things can commit yourself to doing it multiple times, and give dedicated ‘no screens’ time. Last summer, every Friday, I would go play pickleball and then walk into downtown Ada and get coffee with two of my friends. This routine gave us guaranteed time together, a chance to be active, and time mostly away from our phones. It’s also important to take advantage of your location and community. Research and find what happens where you are, and what you can attend to get off your phone and keep busy. For example, in downtown Ada, there tend to be events hosted from time to time, from farmers markets to outdoor concerts, usually with cheap or even free entry. These events are a great and easy way to get out of bed and off electronics this summer.
There are so many more things you can do to get off screens. Simple things like reading, baking, finding a new craft, and so much more can help. With summer, there are so many opportunities to try new things and keep busy. Last summer, I started painting a bikini box, and I plan on continuing it this summer. Other crafty things to do could be creating a patchwork hoodie, bedazzling hairbrushes, and creating shell jewelry holders. If crafts aren’t in the running for busy activities, use social media to find new things to do. On TikTok, I’ve seen fun, unique drink ideas to try, and although they may end up tasting disgusting, they are a great way to try something new and exciting. Even basic things like reading a book or doing an activity page can be easy ways to pass the time. I love doing crosswords, so if I’m sitting in a car or on a rainy day, I will spend hours doing crosswords to pass the time.
Lastly, it is important to realize it’s okay to be on your phone or other types of electronics. Summer is a break, which means sometimes unwinding means spending a few hours tucked in bed scrolling on TikTok. But, there still are enough negative impacts from screens that can mean it may be better to find alternative things to do. When choosing whether to take an hour to go do something or sit on the couch, it is also important to consider the mental and physical side effects that could come from it.
There are millions of other options to spend your time other than your phone or other electronics. Instead of wasting the summer away, find the things that you enjoy to spend your time on, and try to make the next three months worthwhile, but still take time to relax.
