It’s so simple, and yet so difficult, to put the phone down and focus on what matters in your life. We all have different interests and passions, ways in which we want to contribute to the world, and the computer in our hand is hindering us.

Our phones are incredible tools that enable us to access the world’s database of information, but they are not programmed to facilitate our lives in the way we see fit. They are designed to ping us, to hold our attention, to maintain a near constant use, simply so they can be sold.

We will do better if we turn off the notifications and conscientiously utilize our devices’ capabilities while being wary of their pull. Telecommunications and social media and apps and widgets can enhance our collective experience—is that how we are using them?