Look around the next time you’re in a waiting room or airport gate. Nearly everyone is hunched over a phone, scrolling in silence.
I used to be one of them.
A popular adage is “The only two sure things in life are death and taxes.” I’d add waiting to the list.
Waiting to check out.
Waiting to board a plane.
Waiting to see the doctor.
How Do You Pass the Time?
Most of us pull out our phones, plug in our buds and watch videos, listen to podcasts or scroll mindlessly through Instagram or TikTok.
I’m not basing this on verified data, just casual observation. Next time you’re waiting, scan the room. I guarantee the number of people lost in their phones will be near 100%.
If this makes you happy, by all means, go for it.
A Simple Way to Reduce Screen Time
But I’ve committed to reducing my passive screen minutes, opting to spend my time engaged and active instead. And I’ve found a trick to help me avoid reaching for my phone while I’m waiting for my name to be called.
I keep a paperback with me.
I’m an avid reader and have my parents to thank. My dad had a 3-hour daily roundtrip bus commute, and needed fresh material for the week. So we’d load into the family station wagon on Saturday mornings and head to our local library. I worked my way around the children’s room shelves, graduating to the adult section in middle school.
Back then, reading wasn’t something we had to remind ourselves to do – it was simply how we filled quiet moments. I’d fallen out of the habit. But I found that carrying a paperback has become my quiet act of resistance. It’s a super easy way to reclaim those in-between moments.
You Are What You Read
Mind you, I’m not carrying deep-thinking reads with me. My books for waiting are light reads, both in content and size. I’m not pulling out a 1500-page biography of Teddy Roosevelt at the dentist.
And I’m not bringing along a weeper. O’Hare and Atlanta Hartsfield airports make me cry normally. I don’t need literary inspiration to induce the tears.
I’ve found contemporary mysteries like the Thursday Murder Club series make excellent waiting room reads. So do celebrity book club recommendations. I’m particularly fond of Reese Witherspoon’s recommendations. One of my favorite recent reads came from her list, Ann Patchett’s Tom Lake.
Borrow, Don’t Buy
I don’t buy my bag books. I borrow them – from my dad’s assisted living library, from the “take me” table at our local library, from friends’ coffee tables (with permission)! When borrowing a book, I make sure the owner knows: 1. I dogear pages and break spines and 2. I might lose it. Most are okay with it. But some are horrified about my book abuse.
My current bag book is one I lifted, with permission, from the library of our Florida beach rental. It’s not only an entertaining read, but a reminder of a recent, wonderful vacation.
I carry books that fit easily in my crossbody bag. And I pack a few extras to make my reading experience pleasant, whatever the environment.
What I Keep in My Bag for Screen-Free Moments
- Drugstore reading glasses – because eyes get tired by late afternoon.
- Small notebook and pen – for favorite lines or ideas to revisit.
- Neck light – a game-changer for dim planes and waiting rooms.
If you’re not a reader, there are other things you can pack in your day bag to occupy your time without resorting to a screen.
Many of my friends can concentrate on knitting while they’re waiting in public.
Another great way to pass waiting time is to carry a few notecards with you with stamped envelopes. Write a short letter to a dear friend and mail it on your way home. There are few things in life as wonderful as receiving a handwritten “thinking of you” card.
The next time you’re waiting, before reaching for your phone, pull out your paperback instead. Changing this simple habit has made me calmer and more present.
Let’s Chat:
Do you immediately grab your phone when waiting? Does scrolling through social media make you feel happy? Anxious? Jealous? Is reducing your phone screen time a personal goal?
