What Would It Look Like to Take a Screen Break?

A friend recently threw out a challenge to see if we could take a 24-hour rest from all screens—phones, computers, TVs. I shouldn’t have been surprised, but it was enlightening to discover the most challenging aspect of screen dependency.

But first, a look at my day. Upon awakening, I ran into an immediate hurdle. I’ve been listening to a year-long “Reading Through the Bible” series, and of course the link is on my laptop. Not a big deal. I pulled a Bible off the bookshelf—and actually, I liked the soft crinkle as the pages were turned. But alas, although I knew we were reading in the books of Judges, the Psalms, and Romans, I didn’t know which chapters. Because, of course, that info is on my laptop.

One of us got a parking ticket two days ago. (I don’t want to mention any names because I’m not a tattletale [just ask my brothers], but his initials are D.L.) If we pay the ticket today, it’s only $12. Past today, it bounces up to $25. I can either drive downtown and try to find the correct office for traffic ticket payments, but my GPS is on my phone. Or I can pay the bill online. But my online-bill-paying-ability is … well, online.

I was working in the yard and noticed that our dwarf pear tree was beginning to show off its snowy blossoms. It was a gift from friends before they moved out of state. I turned toward the house to grab my camera to send a pic to them, but … yeah, my phone is my camera.  

I’m part of a couple of family text strings, a Life Group text string, a women’s Bible study text string, and a Walking for Wellness text string. It’s how we communicate across the miles. But not today.

Television isn’t a challenge because Dan and I seldom watch TV (well, except during football season). In the evenings, I read and play a couple of brain-strengthening games. Not because I’m getting older and more forgetful, but because I’m … getting older and more forgetful. And of course these word games are on my phone, which means I lost a day of brain-stimulating activity.

And actually, a friend told me recently that learning something new—hula dance, throwing pottery, a language—is even better for the brain than the word games. Which made me curious. So of course I wanted to Google to learn more about the best activities for brain health. But alas, my phone is also my encyclopedia.

But the most challenging aspect of no screens was not being able to write. It’s my work. I write and edit and do Google searches and rewrite and submit articles via laptop. Oh, I wrote today. But it was on a yellow tablet with pen. Which means tomorrow I’ll need to take the time to transcribe from paper to laptop. Sigh.

Making the most of our time

Honestly, the main reason for taking a break from our screens is to realize how much accumulative time we spend mindlessly scrolling through social media and getting sucked into watching reel after reel. While I definitely could use some self-discipline in those areas, I also saw how much I use electronic gadgets to make my work easier and run the household more efficiently.

Camera, calendar, phone, grocery list, to-do list, reminders, music-player, online banking, address book, alarm clock, timer, shopping, writing, editing, researching, procuring speaking engagements, arranging travel, submitting magazine articles, posting blogs. All done with the aid of a screen.

The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to new believers in Ephesus:

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." – Ephesians 5:16

Nineteenth century German theologian Johann Tittman made this observation:

“Watch the time, and make it your own so as to control it… Serve not the time, but command it, and it shall do what you approve.”

Yes, our screens suck us into mindless scrolling, reeling, and video games. But they’re also useful tools. Just as an electrician wouldn’t leave behind his multi-meter, pliers, screw drivers, wire strippers, or drills before setting out on a job, I’m not planning to toss my writing tools.

But here’s the thing: if we don’t control our screen usage, it controls us.

What if we sought to make the best use of our time while we have it? Because this valuable gift of time represents the minutes and hours of our days and weeks, which represent our lives. 

So maybe the question to ponder isn’t, “How much time do I spend watching screens?” but, “How am I spending my life?”.