Ever been the only “sober” person in a digital party?
It’s not all that different from being the only sober person at a wedding reception. Everyone around you is blitzed and they’re getting loud and they think they’re funny but they’re too drunk to realize how stupid they sound and you’re embarrassed for them. The alcohol has clouded their ability to see their behavior for what it is.
Cell phones, though legal for people under 21, have the same effect. But only those who practice digital minimalism can see it.
Hi, I’m Lauren Thell, author of Christian YA fiction and blogger for teens who are ready to exceed the world’s expectations.
In This Article
My Life of “Digital Sobriety”
I have a cell phone, but barely. My husband and I share one device and I pretty much let him field my calls and texts while I only carry it for emergency purposes. I don’t use it to play games, scroll Facebook, or surf the web. It stays in my purse, preferably in silent mode.
So I know all about being the only “sober” person. At any given moment, I can look around and find I’m the only one without a device glued to my hand. I see the people who share a table in a restaurant but are mentally worlds apart, thanks to their phones. I see the glazed stares of others in the waiting room, their minds dulled with meaningless scrolling. I smile at people in the grocery store who never smile back—and perhaps didn’t even see me pass—because they’re chatting on their phones as they hunt for peanut butter and chicken nuggets.
Sometimes it feels like living in a sci-fi dystopian novel:
Evil Leader #1: “How can we control the entire population?“
Evil Leader #2: “Here, give them this device. It’ll suck them in, dull their minds, reduce productivity, cut down on communication, and turn them into zombies who want more.“
What is Digital Minimalism?
Directly from Cal Newport’s book Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World: Digital minimalism is “a philosophy of technology use in which you focus your online time on a small number of carefully selected and optimized activities that strongly support things you value, and then happily miss out on everything else.”
Simply put, it means putting down your device and not wasting time on meaningless activities that cloud your mind and dull your awareness of real life.
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
1 Corinthians 6:12
Embrace Digital Minimalism, Be More Alive
What happens when you put down your cell phone? A lot of good things.
You’ll be more productive.
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
Ephesians 5:15-16
Don’t kid yourself. You’re not really doing homework on your phone. It’s a distraction, and every time you pick it up, your mind wanders from the task at hand, requiring you to refocus all over again. Turn it off, put it down, and see the difference in your work.
You’ll be more social.
“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.”
Hebrews 10:24-25
“Social” media is truly a misnomer. Sure, Facebook allows you to stay connected to your distant cousin twice removed, but it pulls you away from the people around you. You’re not truly present in the room if you’re on your phone.
Think of it this way: If you know your best friend will die tomorrow, will you waste today scrolling social media or engaging in meaningless texting? Of course not. You’d want to spend time with her, 100% present in both body and mind.
Be present for those who are present with you.
You don’t have to have all the answers.
but, hey, why not?
Bring me your questions about faith, life, God, the Bible… and I’ll help you find the answers.
Your stress levels will drop.
“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:34
You might think constantly being on your phone will help with your FOMO but it only makes it worse. Always being on the alert for new notifications or texts keeps you in the “something big is about to happen” waiting room.
What if that something has already happened in the present and you missed it?
If you’re afraid of missing out, put down your phone so you don’t miss out!
You’ll be safer.
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
1 Peter 5:8
I include this for every teen girl I’ve seen walking home from school with her full attention on her phone. Young people are warned of the dangers lurking online, but the physical world hasn’t become any less of a threat. Stalkers no longer have to hide in bushes when they can trail you in full sight because you’re distracted.
And despite numerous laws and cautionary tales, distracted driving continues to take thousands of lives every year.
Stay aware and pay attention to your surroundings. It’s an easy preventative to a life-altering problem.
Your relationships will improve.
“Value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Philippians 2:3-4
Now that the phone is out of your way, you’re free to smile at strangers or notice when the little old lady in line in front of you needs help carrying her groceries to the car. You’ll become a better listener, be more aware of other people’s moods, and find more chances to exercise empathy.
It’s amazing what you notice when you’re no longer hypnotized by a glowing screen!
You’ll live in the moment.
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24
Like a sober person at a wedding party, when you put down your device, you experience all of life with full awareness. You see the beauty, the imperfections, the little things that contribute to every moment. Your mind clears, your brain engages, and instead of worrying about how to capture the moment so you can post it on Instagram later, you’ll live in it so you can cherish it forever.
You’ll be empowered.
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Galatians 5:1
Don’t become a character in a dystopian sci-fi flick. Take control of your life when you resist the drug of electronics. You get to decide how you live, not some flat little device that fits in your back pocket and beeps every time a friend posts yet another duck-faced selfie.
You’ll be happier—trust me!
“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
Psalm 16:11
Okay, yes, as with any drug, there will be a harsh period of withdrawal—much worse for those most enslaved by their phones. But once you get past that, you’ll find yourself facing freedom, better relationships, more productivity, clearer thinking, greater autonomy…
Life is so much more awesome when you actually live it!
Ready to Embrace Digital Minimalism?
Check out my other posts on this topic, which offer practical tips for those ready to cut back on social media, put down their phones, and truly live the life you were meant to live: