And I don’t mean children.
I had a lovely afternoon to myself today. Friend had loaned me a book she was raving about. I realised when she gave it to me that I haven’t read a book in years. Any free time I get I sit and scroll. Either on here or on Facebook or Instagram reels. Or I play match 3 type games on my phone. So I thought I’d leave my phone upstairs and sit and read. I couldn’t manage it. I read half the first chapter and found myself groping about for my phone. Remembered it was upstairs and that I was trying not to look at it so I carried on reading. I couldn’t make it past a chapter without my mind drifting. I got up and made tea. Made a bit of bread and jam. Went upstairs to have a “quick look” at my phone but left it there and came back down. Started reading again. Looked about for my phone. Remembered. Carried on reading. Got up for the loo. Wandered into kitchen again. Tried to read. Realised I had no idea what I was reading and was just thinking about other stuff.
Its crazy. I used to read multiple books a month. I loved it! The escapism of a good story! I’d read late into the night as I was so into the story. Now I can’t even tell if something is a good story. I can’t get far enough into it to tell and that makes me really quite sad.
I never usually make any New Year’s resolutions but I actually think I will that I’m going to try and start reading again. Put the fucking phone down and train myself out of this addiction. I’m mid 40s and I hate that I’ve become this. And while I say I’m talking about adults here, it does make me worry for kids as well. As an adult I’m struggling to regulate my usage. No wonder kids can’t and end up very addicted.
So here I am. Posting this thread instead of reading. Yet another phone orientated distraction. 🤪