Realizing my phone addiction

 I am stuck between scrolling reels/TikTok/shorts content on the phone and experiencing my life. Yes, I know they are a source of information, enjoyment, and entertainment but the faster it comes, the faster it goes. It leaves you feeling a rush of emotion and craving for more. The more you go deep into the rabbit hole, the more it becomes addictive. For me. I have realized that it is nothing but a waste of time. I was about to write something but forgot about it. It’s like a spark that dies faster in a blink of an eye. What did I realize but forgot just now? It may not be a waste of time but something you attract. You know, the contents are filtered according to your preferences. So if you are interested in motivational videos, the network will feed you more motivational videos that will make you crave for more motivational videos. But they are nothing but short videos. The faster it motivates you the faster it leaves you incomplete. That is exactly what I was thinking but couldn’t put it in words in the previous line so I said it was a waste of time. Well, it is for someone who wants to invest their time in recreational activities like watching funny videos just for fun. There’s no harm in that. The problem lies when you unknowingly or absent-mindedly go on a mindless marathon of scrolling through content, hoping to get a rush of the feelings you had in the first five minutes of scrolling. That's an addiction.

Okay, why am I yapping about all these things when we already know the problems? Yes, we know the problems and we know how to avoid them. Simply by limiting the content consumption or not using the phone at all. But that's the law of attraction. It attracts whatever you want or don't want also. I want you to not imagine a pink elephant or a cat or dog. You see. Our brain is hardwired to do things no matter if it's harmful or useful. The same goes for the phone. You cannot stop consuming content when all you think about is using your phone and going through social media for content. So there should be some distraction. I mean … It’s difficult to put it into words but I have noticed.. Some sort of distraction. You know like an unknown entity wanting me to scroll more and more. There must be a word for this in the book of psychology. Like you are scrolling through whatever interesting content and all of a sudden, you stop and think about what you are doing with your life currently. Like “Wait a second. Why am I watching reels when I can do so much stuff with this spare time? I mean I still have to wash my clothes or finish this one novel or clean the dishes.” Where am I going with this? This is the exact thing I have experienced in the past few days but also I am unable to stop because time flies when you start scrolling on the phone. Oh yeah, I think I am talking about higher self-consciousness, but it sparks after a long time has already passed. But it is decreasing in my life. 

What started all this? Why am I saying all these things? Oh, now I know. I want people to know one thing. The less time you spend on something, the less you will remember and the less impact it will bring in your life. Don't go on consuming thousands of things on the internet. Instead, focus on one thing that you will remember for at least a week. I believe there’s nothing more reminiscence than real life itself. I mean exploring new places or having the first bite of an unknown and delicious food or having the worst fight with your sibling. I believe those kinds of first-hand experiences are forever imprinted into one's memories. A core memory. Can you remember which 15-second reel that has become a core memory and changed your perspective? I don’t say there’s none but it's the rarest of the rare. I can say I have many impactful memories of a scene from the movie. I even remember the scene where nothing happens but I feel so much more there than any motivational or emotional shorts/reels. Movies, series, anime, and games, have long-lasting impacts, but short content is ruining them by giving us even shorter video summaries of what is going on through narration. 

What the hell am I talking about? My point is, instead of scrolling through shorts, reels, or TikTok, watch a movie, read a book, or have a real-life experience. Do exercise to feel the blood pumping through your veins. Make a paper plane and push it against the wind. Stick duct tape in your hairy hands and rip it off to feel the pain(don't do that). Call someone and ask to go on a date when you definitely know that person will reject you or even block you, hurting your ego. That’s how you make core memories. I am gonna go and read A Thousand Splendid Suns. Or not, because it is 12:04 AM and I have to sleep now. I have so much to read, learn, draw, write and so little time. My title was the current ultimate goal but I drifted way off topic and now we are here. Quite the experience, don't you think so? Who am I talking to? I don't know; maybe it's my future self. He is counting on me to make the right decision and not get caught up in imaginary problems. Damn! I should watch Adventure times. I can go on writing whatever I want from dusk till dawn. I should go to sleep. Good night future me.