5 Ways to Ditch Your Phone
Ask a group of campers what their favorite thing about the Greystone Bubble is and you’re sure to hear “no phones!!” a time or two.
At camp we get to disconnect and focus completely on the people we’re with, but if you’re anything like me, it’s SO easy reattach to your phone the moment you walk out of the gates. Now, I love my phone just as much as the rest of you, but what if, during this month of thankfulness, we took some intentional steps to re-engage with the “real” world? Are you in?
- Charge your phone outside of your room. If your phone charges by your bed, of course you’re going to look at it first thing in the morning and last at night. Challenge yourself to go to bed without your phone (gasp!) and see how it re-orients your day to look at your Bible or a family member first thing, instead of a screen. P.S. Just get a real alarm clock, it works just the same!
- Make dinner a no-phone zone. Whether you’re eating at home with family or out with friends, choose as a group to put the phones away (even if they buzz!). Make a phone basket outside of your dining room, or leave your phones in the car when you go in the restaurant. You’ll connect with your people more and you won’t miss anything on your phone in that hour - I promise!
- Turn off app notifications. This little step that has made a huge difference for me! It’s amazing how little you think about Instagram or Facebook when they’re not blinking at you all the day long. Extra points if you delete the apps all together - you can look at your profiles online instead!
- Challenge yourself to leave the phone at home. It’s possible! Bring a little DMC to your everyday by not taking your phone when you go hang out with friends. Your time will be so much sweeter for it.
- Make a habit of always packing a book with you when you leave the house. That way, whenever you get stuck in a waiting room or get somewhere early, you can flip through a few pages instead of scrolling through your phone. It’s a win win!