When did our device's life span become our identity?

Out of juice. Running on fumes. Empty. Nothing left. Low battery. Shutting down. While this used to describe our internal energy, it more defines our devices life span. When did the battery level of our devices become tied to our identity?

If you answer yes to the following:

Have you ever been anxious to be the first to post a response?

Or do you have a need to Instagram everything you do, from the place setting, to the color of the sprinkles, that you take 19 shots of to make sure the light reflects the moment?

Have you ever been worried that you won't be able to see what is happening in someone's random life?

Are you stuck trying to figure out the next Tik Tok trend, or the next Social media craze? Are you concerned that Mr. Beast is going to raise the dead for his next video, or that one of that one of the Youtubers are going to fight someone who may have never been relevant, especially to you?

Maybe you are waiting for that sexy, forbidden, curious, juicy Snap, text, DM, or other that will make or break your day, week, weekend?

And oh the anxiousness when the battery on your device is about to die, what will happen? Are you so concerned about the algorithm of the social gods to your life that you become a Special Ops person, focused on finding a charging station or outlet?

This is our struggle. Over powered by information, by digital feelings, by algorithmic nudges that literally affect your mood, your attitude, and your whole life. You've basically subscribed yourself to a living "butterfly effect" hell, because the wrong nudge, or ineffectual gesture, or incomplete comment, can send you down into a auspicious spiral. One that can grind your day to a halt. Grind your progress to... barely hanging on, and whittle down your will power to care about yourself, those closest to you, and your real priorities.

And yet, surprise, if the battery does die. And the device is incapacitated. You do not follow suit. Yes I realize there are a handful of you that "work" on your device. But even work, has traditional boundaries. The concepts of 24/7 work is an unreal expectation that those of us tethered to our devices have willingly or unwillingly subscribed to.

We want everything. We want all things... all the time. We are selfish creatures, no matter how selfless you are. And this is the beauty of you. It's just time to adjust your selfishness into a positive. Selfishly put down your phone, because social media and the almighty algorithm are not your food, nor your power, or even something that you have to have.

Be selfish with your eyes and ears, guard your mind voraciously. Start to filter yourself. Start with little things, like filtering your time (how much am I spending with each app). Then filter your content (how is this getting me to my goal?) Don't have a goal to filter off of? Then it's time to do a digital detox and take an hour and figure out what your goal for the next day, week or month should be. Baby steps, you can make bigger goals soon!

Above all things, just because battery life is continuing to lengthen and there are easy to carry battery packs, none of this should be an invitation to spend more time than needed. Your devices are essential parts of our lives. No denying that. But you need to define how essential they are, and to what part of your life. Not sleeping, not as healthy as you want to be, not where you want to be in life, love, career, etc? Then you need to refocus, and cut out the distractions. Your devices's life span doesn't have to define you... you have the power!