TEDx Talks - 28,800 | Raquel Colomar Cedeño | TEDxLas Hayas College Youth
The speaker reflects on the finite nature of life, quantified as 28,800 days if one lives to 80 years old. This realization prompts a reevaluation of how time is spent, particularly focusing on the excessive use of smartphones. The speaker conducts an experiment using a screen time tracking app and discovers spending eight hours daily on the phone, much of it on social media apps like Instagram and TikTok. This leads to a decision to delete these apps for a three-month detox, which results in improved concentration and well-being. Upon re-downloading the apps, the speaker notices a return to old habits and ultimately decides to delete them permanently, finding the change beneficial. The speaker emphasizes the importance of spending time wisely, inspired by a quote from Buddha about the illusion of having time.
Key Points:
- Realize the finite nature of life: 28,800 days if living to 80 years old.
- Excessive phone usage: Eight hours daily, mostly on social media.
- Conduct a digital detox: Delete social media apps for three months.
- Improved well-being: Better concentration and reduced phone time.
- Permanent change: Delete apps permanently for better time management.
Details:
1. 🎂 Understanding Life's 28,800 Days
- An 80-year lifespan consists of 28,800 days, highlighting the finite nature of life and prompting reflection on time management.
- This number's perception varies: it seems vast when considering the potential number of friendships, yet minuscule when considering time spent on daily activities like sleeping.
- Understanding life as 28,800 days encourages strategic life planning, prioritizing meaningful experiences, and efficient use of time.
2. ⏰ Reflecting on Time Usage: The Phone Dilemma
- A realization of having lived 28,800 days by age 80 led to a reflection on time usage, noting that a third of life is spent sleeping and 6 to 8 hours are spent daily on mandatory activities like school.
- Voluntary time usage was scrutinized, especially time spent on the phone, revealing 8 hours of daily screen time.
- Phone usage analysis showed 30 minutes on Spotify, 20 minutes on classroom apps, 10 minutes on Google, and 40 minutes on WhatsApp.
- Concern arose from spending 1.5 hours on Instagram and 1.33 hours on TikTok daily, leading to the decision to set a 30-minute timer limit for each app to manage usage effectively.
3. 🔄 Attempting Digital Detox: Setting App Limits
- Notifications were set to alert after 30 minutes of usage on Instagram and TikTok, but limits were disregarded, highlighting self-control challenges.
- Despite intentions to reduce screen time, total phone usage reached eight hours by day-end, indicating possible addictive behavior and difficulty in managing digital habits.
- The process underscored the need for stronger strategies or tools to effectively adhere to digital detox goals, such as accountability partners or more restrictive app settings.
- Emotional awareness was noted as a key factor in understanding the psychological impact of excessive screen time and in motivating change.
4. 🌱 Embracing Life Without Apps: The Detox Experience
- In February 2024, the speaker initiated a 3-month app detox, deleting all apps, including Instagram and TikTok, to address their dependency on constant digital stimulation.
- The first two weeks were difficult, revealing an impulsive habit of checking Instagram upon waking, highlighting a deep-rooted dependence on digital engagement.
- Overcoming the initial withdrawal led to a sense of freedom from the habitual urge to check the phone frequently, signifying a break from digital shackles.
- A significant challenge was the fear of missing out (FOMO), as the speaker worried about missing friends’ updates and direct messages, leading to feelings of social disconnection.
- Upon reflection, the speaker realized that the anxiety over missing out on Instagram activities was largely baseless, as the content was not crucial to their personal or social well-being.
5. 🚫 Saying Goodbye to Social Media: A Permanent Change
- Initially used social media apps for an hour daily; realized they were not missed during a 3-month break, highlighting their dispensability.
- Post-detox, experienced improved concentration and more refreshing morning routines by not checking the phone first thing.
- Reinstalled social media apps and usage skyrocketed to 6 hours daily, indicating a doubling of previous phone usage patterns without the apps.
- Decided to permanently delete the apps after recognizing their minimal value and contribution to mindless consumption.
- Seven months after deleting the apps, the decision is viewed positively, though it's not universally applicable.
6. ⏳ Valuing Time: A Personal Realization
- 28,800 days is the estimated time one has in their lifetime, emphasizing the importance of spending it wisely.
- Personal realization about time spent on social media: The speaker reflects on spending excessive time on TikTok and Instagram, realizing the need to prioritize time more effectively.
- Encouragement to value time: The speaker urges others to consider how they allocate their time, inspired by a quote from Buddha about the misconception of having unlimited time.