Mindfulness versus doing nothing in the olden days

[Platypusdiver]

Before smart phones, if we had nothing to do, we did nothing. Maybe read a book/newspaper or idle chat. But often we did literally nothing during many parts of the day.

I was wondering if we were getting the benefits of mindfulness just through everyday life. Or alternatively now, our brains are constantly working because we have unlimited distractions, and this is causing alot of mental health issues.

If I am not careful, my entire day is filled by distractions. Listening to podcasts when getting ready and driving to work, scrolling when waiting, reading the internet instead of even watching TV.

Nah, they just did it behind your back instead, and you found out afterwards.

I know what you mean OP.
I love a queue - that opportunity just to stand and do nothing with no guilt whatsoever..
When the GP's receptionist apologises for the 30 minute wait I think, nah, I'm alright, I'll just stare into space and think about something important....then 30 minutes pass I've thought of absolutely nothing except the bee buzzing on the roses outside the window.

It's peaceful. I think it's kind of healing after the rush of day to day life. Surely people have had these quiet pauses throughout the history of humanity and the phone has stolen that away.

I watch people walking their dog, pushing a pram or eating their lunch whilst scrolling.
One day they're going to look up and realise that life, the real bits that matter and are our pleasure and reason for being have passed them by.

People pushing a pram or pushchair with their eyes glued to their phones - utterly infuriating and incredible!

Surely it ought to be a crime akin to driving whilst scrolling?

I feel so very sorry for the babies and toddlers being brought up with such inadequate personal interaction.

I’ve never been someone who can just do “nothing”. I used to read all the time and everywhere- books, comics, a magazines, papers. I used to write a lot too/ stories and poems. I’d do word puzzles. Also used to watch a lot of TV and as a child play etc. Always listened to music too.

Thought about this while I was fishing (simple hook and worn style) yesterday and how it is the perfect activity to let your brain process things because you can't look at a screen while fishing, all you can do is stand and stare at the float and let your mind wander.

I think, like many things, we already did mindfulness, it just didn’t have a name, do you honestly think the constant use of social media etc doesn’t add to stress, especially for younger people/ schoolchildren where so much bullying takes place on it