Back In The Good Old Days: The Return of the Phone Free Summer Break
Photo by Bao Truong on Unsplash
The other day at the dinner table, my parents were telling my brother and I about all the fun summer memories they had growing up in Ontario. Recollections of big group games in the hot sun, days at the pool with friends, and campfires with s’mores to end amazing fun-filled days. This conversation stuck with me, not only because it was weird to think about what my parents were like as children, but also to think about what stories I want to tell about my summers when I’m older.
The thing is, comparing my summer thus far to my parents’, I could sense a difference. While racking my brain for what the difference was, I came to only one conclusion. It’s the phones. Instead of knocking on friends’ doors to hangout or going out for ice cream, I find so much of my free time in the summer has been taken up by doom scrolling.
I realized that the addictive nature of the algorithm has taken my summer hostage, and I want to take it back.
It can sometimes feel as though our summer goes by in an instant, because screens have the power of keeping us connected for as long as possible. However, it doesn’t need to be that way. The joy of missing out, unplugging and detaching from screens, really can open so many doors to an amazing summer break!
Benefits of a JOMO Summer
Summer is the best time for so many reasons: The weather, the food, and most importantly, no school! The feeling of endless upcoming hours of free time is one like no other. In order to make the most of these precious weeks ahead of you, try to do more of the activities you love that make you forget to check your phone. Summer is the time for passions and creativity to thrive without the weight of school slowing you down, so let’s make the most of it!
My favorite show growing up was Phineas and Ferb. I think I liked it because every single episode they would find a new thing to try and spend all their time doing it, with the goal of having fun! Bucket lists are great tools to help fight summertime phone addiction because they give you new goals, and memories, to work towards.
They’re not about giving up phones or screens altogether. TV, games, and scrolling can totally be part of summer fun. However, I don’t want those things to take over and leave us missing out on what’s right in front of us. That’s why summer bucket lists are such great tools to use! For example, a 10 point bucket list of places to go, things to try, new foods to eat are amazing ways to enjoy both the summer season and the people around you.
For my personal bucket list, I am including all the things that I don’t normally have time to do in the summer, like:
game nights with friends
fun baking creations
and quality time with my family in our backyard
By writing these things down and putting them in a place I see everyday, like my bathroom mirror, it encourages me to enjoy them before the summer ends! Activities like these that truly make us happy are like superfood for the soul, and will have us leaving summer with a feeling of accomplishment, and most importantly, joy!
Dealing with Boredom
Now, I know what you might be thinking. Won’t I get bored without having my phone near me all the time?
Here’s the thing: boredom isn't the enemy. In fact, it’s a doorway to creativity. It is important to remember that although boredom can be frustrating sometimes, it can also be an amazing opportunity to make the most of your time! Personally, I use my summertime to fuel passions I forget I have in the busy school year, such as baking awesome desserts for all my friends and family. Being bored can push you to try something new, think in different ways, and connect more deeply with the people around you. It gives your brain a break from constant input and lets you rediscover simple joys like cloud-watching, writing, or finally reading that book on your shelf.
Instead of filling every empty second with a screen, let yourself just be. You might be surprised what you find when you do.
Let summer be the time to put the phone down and start living our lives to the fullest they can possibly be! Here’s to a summer that’s unplugged, unforgettable, and totally your own!
Sarah Brown
JOMO Student Intern
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Further Reading:
On the Death of Daydreaming (and how to reclaim it)
