time

It’s Time to Look Up: Reclaiming Life Beyond the Screen

anny@familybridgesusa.org — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 21:07:52 +0000

It’s Time to Look Up: Reclaiming Life Beyond the Screen

anny@familybri… Tue, 04/22/2025 - 16:07 Apr 22, 2025

I recently read something that made me say, “Oh no.” It said the average person will spend 45 years of their life looking at a screen.

Forty. Five. Years.

That’s more than half of a typical lifetime spent staring into phones, TVs, laptops, tablets, Kindles, smartwatches, you name it. Whether it’s work emails, doom scrolling on social media, binging our favorite show or falling into yet another Google or YouTube spiral (guilty), screens have taken over nearly every moment of our day.

If you have an iPhone, you’ve probably felt the sting of that weekly screen time notification: “Your screen time was up 17% last week.”

It’s like a little slap on the wrist from your phone, and every time it pops up, I think: Wait, how much time did I actually spend on this thing?

It’s easy to shrug it off, but then I read another stat: the average person scrolls the height of the Eiffel Tower in content every single day.

Every. Day.

That’s over 1,000 feet of memes, news, tweets, reels and rabbit holes. We’re not just passing time—we’re scaling digital skyscrapers one scroll at a time.

What a wake-up call.

Why We Scroll and Why It’s So Hard to Stop

Screens aren't evil. They're convenient and they keep us connected. They help us work, learn, relax and feel a little less alone in the world. Sometimes, they're our lifeline on a chaotic day.

But the problem shows up when the screen stops being a tool and starts being a reflex.

You open your phone to check the weather, and somehow, 45 minutes later, you're watching a video on how to survive in the wilderness with only a paperclip and a granola bar.

I already spend so much time on screens for work and school—Zoom calls, emails, research, papers, and yes, even more emails. So when I finally get a break, the last thing I need is to keep staring at another screen.

My free time shouldn't feel like an extension of my workday. It should feel like a reset.

The line between intentional and automatic disappears quickly.

You stop noticing the silence in the room. You stop noticing the sunset outside. You even stop noticing your own thoughts.

How I Started Reclaiming My Time

Once the 45-year stat really sank in, I decided it was time to reclaim a little more of my day and my headspace. Here's how I started:

1. I set app limits.

Social media was the biggest culprit for me. I set daily time limits—not to be restrictive, but to give myself a gentle nudge to log off. When that "You've hit your limit" message pops up, it's a reminder that I can stop. I don't have to keep scrolling.

2. I created screen-free moments.

I'm not talking about giant life overhauls. Just little things: no phone during meals, no screen first thing in the morning or late at night. Small changes, but they add up.

3. I replaced scrolling with something real.

Instead of doom scrolling, I made a goal to read more. As a marketing and communications professional, I believe one of the best things you can do for your brain and your craft is read.

Want to write better? Read.

Want to present with more clarity? Read.

Want to think more critically? You guessed it—read.

So I picked up a book instead of my phone.

I go for walks, ride my bike, play with my dog, go out on little adventures and actually talk to friends instead of just reacting to their posts.

You’d be amazed how much time you suddenly find when you put the phone down.

What started as boredom turned into space—space to breathe, to think and to really live.

Not a Parent? You Still Need Digital Boundaries

Most screen time advice is aimed at families and kids. But even if you don't have little ones watching your every move, you still need balance. You're still a whole person deserving of peace, presence, and mental clarity.

Here are a few ways to build that into your life:

Schedule offline time like you would a meeting.

Block out a 30-minute walk, a phone-free lunch break, or an hour to do something analog—like painting, organizing or reading.

Make it social.

Challenge a friend or spouse to a "screen-free hour" or plan hangouts where you both agree to leave phones in a basket. Real talk beats silent scrolling every day, and twice on Sunday.

Ask yourself: Am I consuming or connecting?

Sometimes I scroll to kill time. Sometimes I scroll because I'm bored or overstimulated. Recognizing why I'm reaching for my phone helps me figure out what I actually need in that moment.

Let's Not Spend 45 Years on Autopilot

Screens aren't going anywhere. And honestly, I don't want them to. I love a good meme as much as anyone. But I don't want to look back and realize I spent decades watching life happen through a screen.

I want to feel more than I scroll.

I want to live a life I'm present for.

by Sarah Pichardo

habits

mental health

time

goals

Language English

Here and Now

anny@familybridgesusa.org — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 18:59:29 +0000

Here and Now

anny@familybri… Tue, 04/23/2024 - 13:59 Apr 23, 2024

As I recently watched a show, the storyline depicted a man struggling with the loss of his wife in a tragic accident, leaving him to raise their newborn daughter alone. Scenes unfolded revealing his struggles with grief while navigating the challenges of single parenthood. In one tearful moment, he puts his baby down for the night, only to find her five years older the next morning. It was a stark portrayal of fast-forwarding through the hardships and uncertainties of life.

This fictional scenario deeply resonated with me, and struck a chord within me, prompting me to reflect on those moments when I longed to skip life's trials and tribulations. Too often, I've caught myself swept up in the whirlwind of life, so preoccupied with my own thoughts, challenges, and agendas and failing to notice the needs of those around me. While I may not have possessed a literal fast-forward button, my relentless rush through life’s demands often felt like speeding through moments, missing the profound opportunities present in the here and now.

Yet, as much as we may wish otherwise, life refuses to conform to our desires for shortcuts. Instead, we are beckoned to embrace its full tapestry, full with moments of both triumph, disruption, and pain. It is within these trials—moments of loss, disappointment, rejection, and grief—that life teaches us invaluable lessons that unearth the depths of our resilience and fortitude, emerging even stronger and more resilient.

Through my own journey, I've learned to not only accept but embrace the highs and lows of life. I've found solace in grief, treasured the moments of pure joy, and cultivated patience amidst daily frustrations. I have learned the importance of decluttering my mind, being present in the here and now, and actively noticing others, ready to extend a helping hand when needed. Every trial, disruption, and opportunity has served as a stepping stone on the journey of personal growth and character development, imparting invaluable lessons along the way.

In our quest for growth and self-discovery, it's all too easy to become lost in memories of the past or preoccupied with the future. Yet, the wisdom of Psalm 118:24 gently reminds us to find joy and gratitude in the present moment, for it is a gift from above.

Looking to the example set by Jesus, we find a gleam of unwavering presence and compassion in the midst of life's storms. His ministry was marked by a profound sense of awareness and engagement with each moment, even in the face of unimaginable suffering.

So, let us not squander the precious gift of life; instead, let's welcome each moment with open arms. Stay grounded in the Here and Now, and take the time to appreciate the opportunities to serve others, be present for your family and friends, and to extend kindness to your neighbor. Rather than rushing through life, let's embrace both the joyful and challenging moments, discovering God's boundless grace, love, and strength that will sustain us on our journey.

by Omaira Gonzalez

faith

spiritual

time

life

Language English

Problem Solving: Not being able to find something

anny@familybridgesusa.org — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 23:22:40 +0000

Problem Solving: Not being able to find something

anny@familybri… Thu, 04/04/2024 - 18:22 Apr 4, 2024

Ever experienced the frustration of not being able to find something? It's incredibly annoying when you've seen the item you're looking for multiple times, but when you need it most, it's nowhere to be found, or worse, you can't remember where you left it. Can you relate to this situation?

Recently, I experienced one of those frustrating moments we can all relate to. I was searching for my everyday shoe insole, a vital necessity for a long day ahead. Despite my frantic efforts, I couldn't locate it. Frustrated, I decided to pause my search, confident I'd remember eventually. The following day, I resumed my search, this time calmer and more composed. To my surprise, it took me less than a minute to find the insole tucked inside a pair of boots I'd worn a few days prior. It made me wonder: why couldn't I find it the day before?

This incident reminded me of the countless times I've felt creatively stuck or struggled to solve a problem. Despite my efforts, I'd often end up feeling frustrated and at a loss. Then, I received invaluable advice that has since proven incredibly helpful.

The simple tip? Take a break. Step away for a few hours or even a day, then return with fresh eyes and a clear mind. It sounds straightforward, yet how often do we find ourselves spending hours fruitlessly searching for solutions? By practicing this advice of pausing and taking breaks, I've found better results and come up with more innovative solutions and ideas.

Problem-solving is a skill that evolves with practice, requiring exploration of various techniques. Often, the key lies in embracing creativity, experimenting with different processes, and resisting the urge to move swiftly and settle on a solution. In this journey, obtaining clarity around the problem is just as important as finding the solution itself.

Now, I'm curious: What are your go-to problem-solving techniques?

Reflection Questions:

Can you recall a time when you experienced the frustration of not being able to find something? What was it like for you?
How do you typically react when you can't find something you need urgently? Do you tend to get frustrated, or do you stay calm and composed?
In your experience, how important is it to gain clarity around a problem before attempting to solve it? Can you share an example from your own life where clarity played a crucial role in problem-solving?
Thinking about your own problem-solving journey, what techniques or strategies have you found most effective? Are there any specific approaches that consistently yield positive results for you?

by Omaira Gonzalez

leadership

time

habits

Language English

Spend time wisely

Sara — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 14:28:57 +0000

Spend time wisely

About this episode

As parents, we want the best for our children. Which means we spend and focus most of our time on them. The problem is that focusing so much on our children distracts us from fostering a relationship with our spouse. And if our relationship with our spouse suffers, in the end, our children suffer because the quality of the couple's relationship directly impacts the children. Tune in to this week's podcast for insight and tips on what we can do as parents and as a couple to nurture and balance our relationships.

Sara Tue, 08/25/2020 - 09:28 https://soundcloud.com/familybridgesusa/spend-time-wisely

Soundcloud Embed

25 August 2020

Rick Rivero President & Director of Sales of Connections Marketing

Alicia La Hoz, Psy.D. Founder & CEO

Omar Ramos Host

Veronica Avila Co-Host

Podcast Series

The Struggle is Real: Modern Parenting

Additional Info

TOOLS

The Struggle is Real podcast is based off the book, The Struggle is Real: Parenting in the 21st Century written by Dr. Alicia La Hoz & Dr. Paul Meier.

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Podcast Thumbnail

time

It’s Time to Look Up: Reclaiming Life Beyond the Screen

Why We Scroll and Why It’s So Hard to Stop

How I Started Reclaiming My Time

1. I set app limits.

2. I created screen-free moments.

3. I replaced scrolling with something real.

Not a Parent? You Still Need Digital Boundaries

Schedule offline time like you would a meeting.

Make it social.

Ask yourself: Am I consuming or connecting?

Let's Not Spend 45 Years on Autopilot

Creating Winning Habits

Habits: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Here and Now

When the answer is “No, Not Now”

Finding Strength in Waiting: Embracing Patience as a Path to Hope

Problem Solving: Not being able to find something

Reflection Questions:

Habits: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

With Determination and a Good Plan You Can Achieve Your Goals

Spend time wisely

TOOLS

Parent burnout

Spend time wisely

Setting boundaries

Date night