With all of the different tech gadgets we have in the modern era, it’s easy to be connected. Computers, smart-phones, and most new TVs are all “plugged in” to the world wide web for easy access to whatever your heart desires.

The tech we have is an amazing resource that I myself haven’t been all that great of taking advantage of in past years. Most times, I used it as a distraction. I would play multiplayer video games for hours on end, get lost in a rabbit hole of mindless YouTube videos, and scroll through an endless feed of social media.

I finally realized that I spent too much time on things that didn’t add any value to my life. For me, it was empty and unfulfilling stimulation. I began to ask myself, “Is what I am doing now going to matter tomorrow? Is it going to matter a few hours or even a few minutes from now?” It usually didn’t.

So I changed what type of media I consumed to benefit my life. I started to pick and choose what apps I used on my phone. I learned how to meditate through different apps. My commute to work became a classroom by listening to various podcasts on self development. My phone even became my personal trainer with all the different apps to guide me through my workout.

YouTube became my own personal university. In my hobby of Photography, I learned all the basics of how to shoot and edit photos using YouTube. I even learned how to start this website by using tutorials on YouTube.

Another platform I began to use differently was Netflix. Instead of binge watching the entire series like Parks and Rec or The Office, my wife and I watched documentaries. We found so many interesting documentaries that challenged our perception of things and taught us something new. Films like Cowspiracy, The True Cost, and Chasing Coral even changed the way we eat and how we consume goods.

Now it’s not to say that I don’t ever play video games or get stuck on YouTube. Sometimes you just need to decompress and that’s okay. The real problem for me was what I consumed and how much I consumed it. There was no balance for me.At the end of the day, it wasn’t making me happy.

So here’s something to ask yourself: Do you enjoy how you spend your time with your phone, computer, or TV? Does it align with how you want to live your life? Does it support your life’s passions?