Why I Miss the Time When We Had No Phones

There was a time, not so long ago, when our lives weren’t controlled by the glow of screens and the constant ping of notifications. A time when we were more present, more connected to the world around us, and more engaged with the people we met.

I find myself longing for those days—days when we weren’t just connected, but truly connected.

Back then...

we were more present

We were more in tune with our surroundings. We mostly noticed every detail—the way sunlight filtered through the trees, the sound of birds, the change in season, the expressions on the faces of strangers around us. Conversations were richer because we were fully engaged, not half-listening while scrolling through our feeds.

we talked to strangers

It was so common to strike up a conversation with the person sitting next to you on the bus, train, or in a waiting room. Our body language and our expressions were also more open to connection and conversations. Most of us felt naturally curious about the people around us. These small interactions often led to unexpected friendships, shared stories, and a sense of community that feels increasingly rare today.

we discovered new things to do

We picked up books (sometimes recommended by friends), learned to play an instrument, tried our hand at cooking, made art, did embroidery, went for hikes, played with stray animals, or just spent time outdoors. Our free time was so precious - it was an opportunity for creativity, joy, and fulfillment.

we were kinder, more helpful

Remember those times back when we were more attuned to the needs of others? We noticed when someone needed help, our intuition was stronger, and we most likely did not hesitate to help out. We also noticed people's feelings and emotions by looking at their face, into their eyes, or at their body language. Acts of kindness were more frequent (and a natural part of life) because we were aware of the world around us. We weren’t just looking down at our phones—we were looking out for each other.

we embraced boredom

Growing up, I did not have constant entertainment at my fingertips, and that meant boredom became a friend. But boredom wasn’t a bad thing; my mind would set out on storytelling trips, wandering and dreaming. Boredom can often lead to some of our most meaningful experiences.

Now...

we're more isolated

Today, we’re more connected, but also more isolated. 

Our phones, smart watches, and laptops are standing between us and our world. No wonder so many people are experiencing increasing loneliness and mental health issues. 

We scroll through social media, comparing our lives to others, while missing out on whatever joys our simple lives and experiences may bring. 

We are less self aware and more aware of what's going on in the world, in the film industry, with reality TV stars, with the top super models, with popular startup founders, with colleagues... but less aware of our what own mind and body need.

a call to disconnect

I miss the time when we had no phones or electronic devices, not because technology is inherently bad, but because of what we’ve lost along the way. 

We’ve traded presence for distraction, connection for isolation, and creativity for consumption. 

Don't you think it's time to take conscious efforts to be more present, more engaged, and more human? In doing so, we might just find the joy, kindness, and connection we’ve been missing.

Love and light,

Sneha