Does time even exist in 2023: So much has been written about how the digital age and online world have lead to more of us working from home and FaceTiming with family and friends. But what about the one thing that many of us never give much thought to: alone time?
Many of us have largely abandoned solitude and silent reflection as a result of the widespread availability of smartphones. Previously, you would stand and wait for a transport or toss and turn in bed, but now you can reach for your phone and be instantly connected to the entire world.
The most prevalent example, which you will observe the next time you go out to eat, is those seemingly endless social media scrolling sessions. You can spend hours going further and further down the infinite feed, giving it more and more data to select new content. In many ways, it is essentially mindless, which is both the disadvantage and the appeal.
Others view it as a means of escape. Whether or not you enjoy browsing sessions, they have undoubtedly altered how we spend time alone.
Content loops are a natural extension of scrolling
Instead of waiting to see what’s on broadcast television, the majority of us now rely on recommendations from Netflix and YouTube. Once we select a program and begin viewing, they hook us by playing shows consecutively and skipping the closing credits, which used to be so annoying.
Since DVDs are no longer available, the era of binge watching has arrived, allowing you to remain in one place for hours on end without having to change the disc. Ideal if you want to unwind and watch classic television in a completely digital format.
But are social media and broadcasting our only means of expression? Not by any means…
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Social activities are now played alone.
Chess has a reputation for being a game for intellectuals and introverts, which is not necessarily a bad thing. While serious players have traditionally spent their evenings studying renowned games and simulating openings on their boards, the advent of the Internet has revolutionized their ability to practice.
Playing against the computer on chess.com with a few taps on your mobile device makes it much simpler to practice until a sequence is flawless. You can modify the playing level of the computer, work through practice sequences, and play live games against players from around the world.
There is also the option to remotely observe grandmasters competing in games that are streamed to hundreds of thousands of observers. If you’re a chess fanatic looking to enjoy some downtime at home, being able to tune in and observe live games is something of a game changer.
We’re becoming more questioning during our free time
Fact-checking, health, and diet are all common topics that people will search for. Millions of us have begun obtaining our own information rather than consulting an expert. It’s not just that we spend much of our alone time at home on our phones; it’s also what we do while we’re gazing at them.
It is empowering to collect your own data, regardless of what we may think of the underlying sources. In the analog era, we typically had to ask someone or consult an encyclopedia for information, which few people would want to do on a Sunday evening before work. Now, you can search up virtually anything at any time.
A straightforward example of this that does not involve misinformation and fact-checking claims is the humble crossword puzzle. You can now look up crossword clues instead of asking a friend, and you can even play games against the computer instead of waiting for tomorrow’s newspaper.
Evenings out can become evenings spent alone.
In the past, if you wanted to play roulette or blackjack, you had to visit a physical casino, but now you have the option of playing at an online casino. The same can be said for going to the movies and shopping on the High Street on a Saturday afternoon.
Activities that were once reserved for weekends and holidays can now be accommodated during our alone time at home. Obviously, the experience and atmosphere of playing, viewing, or shopping in person are not replicated online, but you ultimately have access to the same content or deliverable. The casino game is identical, the film has the same conclusion, and the outfits in the mirror appear identical.
Does time alone even exist in 2023?
All of this additional connectivity may prevent you from experiencing true boredom. This may sound like a contradiction, but tedium is an essential component of allowing your brain to relax. During the day’s quieter moments, your brain processes emotions, memories, and events on a subconscious level.
We have evolved to be in the company of a small number of people throughout the day, not to be constantly tethered to a stream of new information. While we never wish to pass judgment, there is much to be said for the occasional analog evening spent relaxing. It may initially feel strange, but it could help reduce your tension, increase your energy, and give you a fresh perspective on whatever is currently on your mind.
Just a little something to ponder…
