It’s tempting to label time spent surfing social media each day as “productive” and “healthy.”
…therefore it seems like a positive activity that nourishes and sustains you, right?
Not necessarily.
You see, in an average day you likely spend three different kinds of time.
The time you spend surfing social media that you’d like to believe is recharging and inspiring you? I’d argue that’s actually unfocused time. It’s candy.
…but it’s likely NOT giving your brain space and energy to run free. It’s not nourishing you.
I’m not saying social media is bad. Big business happens in the midst of all that candy, people connect, information circulates. I’m simply suggesting defocused time is more valuable — like vegetables instead of candy — and you likely don’t have enough of it in your life.
Think I’m exaggerating? Reflect back on the last time you were waiting for something… anything. What did you do with that time? Switch to a defocused state (like observe the room or daydream) or take out your phone and start clicking?
(That’s a trick question. Your phone was already out.)
The reality is people don’t really sit and ponder anymore. In fact, some folks take active steps to avoid it, bringing their screens everywhere — into the bathroom, on a walk, in the kitchen. They fill ALL of their quiet moments each day with noise, which can be just as unproductive as filling your belly each day with candy.
Logging huge amounts of unfocused time each day can actually deprive you of the space you need to create any movement or change in your life.
In other words, you could use your down time today to read a hundred posts on changing your life, but if you don’t also create space for your brain to synthesize and process the information in those posts, you probably won’t actually make any of those changes.
You’ll feel full, but you’ll still be empty.
So, the next time you’re tempted to reach your hand into that bowl of sweet candy that’s always at your fingertips, always being refilled…
Don’t forget to make space too for something leafy, wild, and magical.
I’m a consultant, strategist, author, educator, and speaker with more than 30 years of professional experience. I’m passionately curious, fairly sassy, kinda dorky and seriously good at what I do.
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