Mihir Joshi: Running Away From Our Phones

We live in an era of easy distractions. Mihir Joshi has advice for those struggling to stay focused.

I am a runner. Some of my favorite high school memories come from cross country and track and field: singing along to Mr. Blue Sky on long runs and playing tennis for hours after practice with the seniors are just a couple that come to mind.

But recently, partly due to the junior year workload, I have found myself less and less committed to the sport I once used to love. In tandem, I find myself on my phone more and more.

Now more than ever social media, specifically short form content, has invaded every moment of my and other’s daily lives, replacing what used to be a hangout with friends or a time to read. A sight that is now all too familiar is seeing a bunch of friends at lunch sitting at a table all on their phones instead of actually talking to each other, only looking up to show the others something funny on their phone.

This addicting nature has made it harder for me to get back into running. Unlike my typical self, I have been opting for the path of least resistance, avoiding runs and workouts and, in terms of school work, sometimes barely managing to complete assignments on schedule.

I write this essay to offer support to the many people who struggle with the same problem as I have been for the past year. Even the disciplined can easily fall into this trap but getting out of it is as simple as saying “no” to one thing and “yes” to another. Next time you find yourself working, before you grab your phone to just check something, stop to think for a moment. Realize that looking at your phone might consume a lot more time than you can afford. Take a minute to think about what you need in that moment. That is my advice.

With a Perspective, I’m Mihir Joshi.

Mihir Joshi is a rising senior in high school. He enjoys running as a part of cross country, working out, playing tennis, and hanging out with friends. He has a blog that he likes to update from time to time and enjoys watching YouTube or reading in his free time.