I’ve been thinking for a while about how much time writers spend face-to-face with a screen. I get so comfortable with my laptop, sipping my coffee, and making friends with new characters, that I spend days typing, forgetting that there is a material world beyond it. My laptop is like a good friend; it helps me express my creativity and bring a whole new world onto the pages. It feels just as real to me as the world outside. Still, sometimes, my buddy, the laptop, could use a break and cool down, just like me.
There’s nothing wrong with late hours of typing for a writer. Our work is solitary, and the hours spent in front of a screen are inevitable if we want our writing to be outstanding. What is essential, however, is maintaining balance with other activities to avoid the adverse effects of the calling we have chosen.
CALM YOUR INNER STORM
“That balance for me is the time I spend in nature,” a good friend told me. “When I balance the time I spend in front of a screen with occasional stays in nature, I reset my mind. Absorbing the sights, sounds, and scents of the outdoors also helps me with my focus.” I can relate to that because nature makes me feel at ease, calms my inner storms, and helps me reorganize my thoughts.
For others, compensating for time in front of a screen means spending time with family or friends, recharging the social battery. I enjoy taking time to play with my kids, whether it’s a regular game of hide and seek or building with Legos. It relaxes me and takes me back to my childhood.
BALANCE YOUR LIFE’S COCKTAIL
Modern life is all about juggling everything that is imposed on us as a standard. Most of the time, it is essential to succeed in both our personal and professional lives and to take care of our overall well-being, encompassing both our physical and spiritual health.
Sometimes, we are so overwhelmed by everything that awaits us from early in the morning that this life seems impossible. That is why it is necessary to balance your life’s cocktail, which involves striking the correct ratio of ingredients. Well-balanced ingredients yield a phenomenal experience, while incorrect doses of ingredients can lead to severe headaches.
That is why we talk about balance and dosage. To neutralize excessive screen time, we must understand what benefits us and what burdens us. Ultimately, life is about maintaining equilibrium and finding effective ways to increase productivity, prevent burnout, and ensure we make the most of each day.
