You're Being Controlled
"It's okay to own a technology; what is not okay is to be owned by technology". — Abhijit Naskar
Nobody wants to be controlled, including you. We all dislike the idea of someone else controlling our lives, activities, and choices. We want to live life to the fullest, free from external constraints. Yet, isn't it surprising that while we resist control by other people, we allow ourselves to be controlled by an inanimate object? Your phone.
Your phone dictates what you do, even when you don't want to do it. Nobody wants to be addicted to their smartphone, yet many of us are. Ideally, you should be the one in control of your device, not the other way around. But no, you wake up in the morning and, instead of getting out of bed, you pull the blanket over your head and reach for your phone. Your first app is likely a social media platform, where you start scrolling mindlessly until your phone signals it's time to take a break, brush your teeth, and then return.
Just like a slave, you obey, following the unspoken orders your phone seems to give. I'm not here to remind you of your phone addiction; you're already aware of it. You've probably tried to cut back on your screen time, but after a few days, your motivation wanes, and you're back to lying in bed, straining your eyes.
This brings me to a common excuse I've heard: “I find it hard to read on a screen; I feel like it's damaging my eyesight. I prefer hard copies”. Are we talking about the same eyes you use to stare at screens for hours each day? Yet, when it comes to reading something educational or enriching on a screen, suddenly there's a concern for your eyes, followed by a flood of excuses?
You can do better.
Do you have an app that records your screen time? Even if you don't, you can check your screen time in your phone's settings. How often do you review this data to see how you're spending your time and where it has led you?
A few weeks ago, I installed an app called Digital Detox on my phone. This app locks you out of your phone for a specified time that you've chosen. Once, while my phone was on, it locked me out at a crucial moment, right when I needed my phone. As I looked at the screen, trying to disable it (which required paying a fine), I saw a message:
No one reaches the end of their life and says, 'I wish I'd spent more time on my phone'.
How do you use your phone? Could you stay away from it for a whole day? Sadly, most people can't even let it go for an hour without feeling stressed and anxious.
How to Reduce Your Screen Time
The big question is: How can you reduce your screen time? The only person who can do that is you. You decide what to do with your time.
Here are a few suggestions:
30 Minutes Before Bedtime: Completely stay away from your phone.
Take a Cold Shower: This helps to relax your nerves.
Reflect and Journal: Get a notebook and write down how your day went, including how you used your device. Were you happy with your usage? If yes, you're on the right track. If no, plan how you can do better tomorrow. Write about what you did well, what you'd change, and what you're not satisfied with.
Plan Your Next Day: Decide how you want tomorrow to count.
Morning Routine: When you wake up, resist the urge to grab your phone. Stay off it for the first two hours of your day. Exercise, make your bed, prepare a healthy breakfast, take a bath, and dress in clean clothes.
Avoid Social Media: Even if you must use your device for important tasks, stay off social media for the first four hours of your day.
Taking control of your screen time is about more than just cutting down on phone usage—it's about reclaiming your time and attention for the things that truly matter. By implementing small changes, like staying off your phone first thing in the morning and last thing at night, you can begin to shift your habits and find more balance in your life.
Start today by being mindful of your device usage and making intentional choices that lead to a more fulfilling and controlled life. The journey to regaining control is not going be easy, but I know you can do it. Every step you take towards reducing your screen time is a step towards a more present and intentional life.
No doubt ,you nailed it.😩
I could remember the last time I didn't even remember I have a device was when I was terribly sick.Lying on the hospital bed and looking up like the angel of death may come anytime.Guess what my device was fully charged for like three consecutive days.
May Allah safeguard us from the evil of our device and make the tips practicable for us .
I'll definitely try the app, thank you.