The Power of "Do Not Disturb"
November 7, 2022
Writer: Haley Brettschneider
Editor: Zoe Harris
You sit there patiently waiting for that ding. That silly little ding that lights up the screen. A ding that we as a society give far too much power. A ding that has the influence to completely alter the course of our day. Yet, this seemingly revolutionary ding is simply not all that it’s worked up to be.
The average person receives forty six notifications per day. Within any given twenty four hours, this becomes forty six instances where we remove ourselves from the real world in order to sink into the digital one. And that tempting notification can be as insignificant as the newest IOS update (that does literally nothing) or as important and exhilarating as an acceptance letter to the University of Michigan. Regardless, they both provide the same outcome, luring us into the endless hole that is the online world. A second, a minute, an hour - the time sneaks by us as we perpetually scroll. Too much time lost due to that singular notification we never needed to acknowledge in the first place. The FOMO from Snapchat, the desire for unattainable perfection on Instagram, and the nonsense entertainment on TikTok grabs hold of our days. We lose touch with the important face-to-face interactions we should be engaging in and, instead, spend this time immersed in our phone screens.
And it’s not just getting lost in the media that makes notifications so harmful. It’s also waiting around for that special ding that may, or may not, come.
Too often we find ourselves impatiently waiting. Without even hearing that ding, we are constantly picking up and putting down our screens all in hopes of that one text (which I can tell you from experience is not worth it). Staring at the screen, hoping to see the phone jolt and vibrate, does nothing for us in the real world.
We should read notifications as we see fit, not as something to direct our days. The disappointment of the message that never comes, or one that does but with upsetting news, can have devastating effects on our mood and outlook. It’s not worth ruining our time by allowing our thoughts to ruminate on an unimportant ding. We should read these notifications when they are of convenience, when we are comfortable, and when we can.
This is why I advocate for the “Do Not Disturb policy”. This self-made practice ensures that I constantly keep all notifications silent in order to completely engage with my current environment and surroundings. Although my friends hate this considering that they have to call me twice in order to break the DND, I continue to advocate for this habit (and secretly they all know I’m right).
Since doing this, my screen time has significantly decreased over the past two years. I am no longer constantly gripping onto my phone—I don't wait for the meaningless message, and, most importantly, I am present in the moment, only returning to the screen when the time is right. The anxiety and pressure I used to feel to constantly be communicating with others has faded away. My phone is no longer the first thing I reach for in the morning and temptations to check it during times when I’m inattentive (such as lectures) has diminished. I know there is nothing to see, unless I individually click on messaging apps, so it is easy to avoid the urge to go on it at times where my attention should be elsewhere. Do Not Disturb allows me to be in control of my phone, and of my life. I can suppress the unimportant notifications and still let the urgent ones - like those friendly double calls - through. I am more productive, more aware, and less of what my parents would call a “screenager”.
The familiar crescent moon symbol in the middle of my screen emerged as a source of comfort and reliability in my life, and I hope you give it a chance to see the change it can make in yours. In a world filled with so much movement, this new and improved routine gives me a crucial element of control in how I go about my days. Do Not Disturb does more than silence a silly ding. It changes your life in the best way possible.
