Does your phone own you? First mine didn’t, then it did, and now I am working to take back my power by protecting my boundaries. I was raised back in the day (BC) before cell phones. In fact, when I grew up, we had rotary phones, phone booths, and pay phones. We never had to worry about being tethered to our phones, because they were too heavy and each phone call was too expensive. Things have changed. Technology now runs our lives. The more we rely on technology, the less we connect with family and friends.
Take another look at the Family and Friends Worksheet in the Vision & Values series.
Your Phone Doesn’t Own You
More than likely, unless you are a physician or a member of law enforcement, you are not required to be available 24/7. Turning off your phone isn’t rude. It’s responsible. It’s you declaring that your phone doesn’t own you, that you are not the property of the world.
Digital Disconnection is an Esteemable Act.
Our brains and our bodies need a time-out. We’ve gotten so accustomed to being “ON,” that the idea of taking a break and disconnecting from our devices feels unnatural. Creating boundaries around technology can radically improve our peace of mind, our sleep, our focus, and our relationships. This telephone boundary isn’t just applicable to our personal lives, but to all areas of our lives. Consider the following areas:
Regarding your health:
No-scroll zones during meals.
Logging off an hour before bed.
Turning off notifications while moving your body.
Regarding your finances:
Avoiding late-night impulse purchases.
Unsubscribing from marketing emails that fuel spending.
Taking breaks from social media comparison traps.
Regarding your spiritual and /or service life:
Leaving your phone outside the meditation space.
Not checking email during sacred time.
Replacing screen time with reflective time.
Regarding your business and personal relationships:
Setting office hours — and sticking to them.
Communicating boundaries with clients about response times.
Powering down devices during meals or family time.
Turning your phone completely off at certain times of the day or night.
Digital Detox.
Does your phone own you? If so, you CAN break the cycle. You don’t need a digital detox, what you might need is digital discipline.
Self-Reflection Questions to consider
Use these prompts to reflect on your relationship with technology.
- When do I feel most triggered by my phone?
- What would it look like to have healthier screen habits?
- Where is digital distraction stealing my peace?
- What boundaries around tech would serve me better?
- How might my relationships improve if I was less “plugged in”?
This post is part of my Esteemable Acts Vision and Values series — a place to reflect on how to live with integrity, clarity, and purpose. The free worksheet helps you define your personal vision across all areas of life. Revisit the initial worksheet here: Vision and Values Worksheet
Boundaries in Your Professional Life
Technology boundaries also show up in your legal life. Are you tired of chasing unpaid invoices? I can help you build strong client agreements. Do you have a digital brand that needs protection? I can help you secure trademarks, copyrights, and licensing rights. And if you’re planning for what happens to your digital life in the future — from online businesses to social accounts — I can help you include these assets in your estate plan. The world may be online, but your peace of mind still matters. Let’s protect it.
Francine D. Ward
Attorney-at-Law, Author, Speaker
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