I Don't Take A Lot of Pictures of My Son and Here's Why

According to statistics from a 2015 Trends Report, the average adult spends 2.8 hours a day on their mobile device.That's almost 3 hours a day spent not really being present. And that's only average! I'm sure I use my phone about that much or more. But when I am engaging with my son, I put it down. When he wants to play, we play and I am present.


When I first started practicing yoga I began to understand what it meant to be truly mindful and in the present. And as I worked mindfulness into my life I noticed that there was a significant decrease in the number of photos I've taken, particularly of my family.

You'd think that taking photos of your present moments would be inherently mindful, but in fact, there does feel like a disconnect when I am viewing my life through a lens. Of course, it's not always this way. Often I photograph things that move me or intrigue me. But when it comes to human interactions I tend to feel like I'm putting up a window. I can see what's going on, but I'm not really in it. There's a wall.

Upon further ponderance, it occurred to me that in the past, I often used my camera as a barrier or a way to escape a situation that I, for whatever reason, don't want to be in. I used it to escape reality. To distract me from my own negative, self-conscious panic and avoid any real connection with people. I disliked myself so much that I was convinced that no one else would like me much either.

I was very self-conscious for a long time in my life. And as I have become more comfortable and really connected and be absolutely present. I don't want to look back on my life and feel like I stayed inside this safe bubble and missed out on really connecting with people.
secure with who I am I've put down the camera when I'm in a situation where I am interacting with people I care about. Because I want to be really there.

As I have learned to be more mindful of internal and external stimuli I tend to take less pictures of my son. There are times I wish I wouldn't have missed the opportunity to save some moment in time, but I try to pack it away in my heart hoping I won't forget. He is growing up so fast. I know that all the things I savor are fleeting at every stage. And I want to be in them; like really in them. I don't want to be distracted by trying to take his picture. And in the spirit of honesty, I'll admit that about 50% of the reason here too is that he wants to be naked all the time. And I would feel weird posting nude photos of my son for anyone to see. However, the fact that I want to be paying real attention to my son is the bigger reason.

If you find yourself stuck behind a screen so much that you feel disconnected from the things that make your heart joyful, perhaps it's time to evaluate that. Life is so short. No one wants to be at the end and wish they would have done something different. If this is something that nags at you, address it. Put the device down, breathe, and see.