Like Sand through the Hourglass

Say it with me: "So are the Days of Our Lives!" Gen Xers and Millennials, unite! (Other readers, ask your grandma or great aunt!) Unlike the simpler times when our only choice for daily entertainment was an afternoon soap opera on NBC, CBS, or ABC, we now live in a world of 24/7 digital content. Pick your poison—around-the-clock news, endless binge-watching, or a social media feed you’ve mostly curated (with a few algorithmic ‘plants’ designed to influence your brain). 

But is all this constant connectivity really serving us? 

The Attention Economy and Our Well-Being 

The rise of digital media has fundamentally reshaped how we spend our time and, more importantly, how we feel. Research highlighted in The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt and the U.S. Surgeon General’s report on social media and youth mental health show concerning trends: increasing anxiety, loneliness, and distraction. The tools designed to “connect” us are often the same ones driving us apart from genuine relationships and meaningful experiences. 

Before streaming services, before doom-scrolling, before every moment could be filled with a screen—we had more natural pauses in our day. More moments of stillness. More opportunities for real-life interactions. 

Reclaiming Our Time and Attention 

It’s time to ditch the digital distractions that aren’t serving the life and lifestyle we truly want. Here’s how: 

• Set Intentional Limits – Designate screen-free times and spaces, such as during meals or the first hour of your morning. 

• Curate with Purpose – Audit your social media and news intake. Follow accounts that inspire, educate, and uplift rather than those that fuel anxiety or comparison. 

• Reconnect IRL – Prioritize face-to-face interactions. A coffee date with a friend or a walk outside beats a hundred ‘likes’ on a post any day. 

• Create Instead of Consume – Instead of passively scrolling, engage in activities that bring you joy—writing, painting, gardening, or even simply daydreaming. 

We can’t turn back the clock, but we can take back control. Let’s spend less time on things that drain us and more time on the people and experiences that truly matter. 

What’s one digital habit you’re ready to ditch? Let’s start the conversation. 

References:

Social Media and Youth Mental Health | HHS.gov

The Anxious Generation - Free the Anxious Generation