Overwhelmed, Exhausted, and Always Behind: Could Your Phone Be the Problem?

Why Am I So Tired? Is It Just Life… or Is It My Phone?

I just can’t seem to get anything done! Is the laundry breeding on it’s own? Why am I so tired?
My brain feels like mush. I’ve been so depressed lately. I can’t get ahead of anything!
Why does my child get into everything?

Sound familiar?

I remember those days well. As a homeschooling mother of six children, I often felt like I was drowning in responsibility. It was hard to stay on task. Some days I felt like a broken record—same instructions, same reminders, same messes. The daily grind of motherhood can feel relentless and exhausting. Raising young children can be chaotic, but structure and time management are crucial. I found helpful strategies to accomplish daily tasks, and it was satisfying to feel accomplished and happy. Believe me, my whole family was happier too!

But here's the thing—we can’t ignore the added weight of something else that’s slowly draining us, distracting us, and discouraging us and stealing our time: our phones.

We say we’re tired. We say we’re overwhelmed. We say we can never get caught up….But is it the pile of laundry… or is it the hours we spent scrolling reels on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram or playing that silly game.

Hard questions—but ones we have to ask.

Let’s be honest with ourselves:

  • Are we constantly comparing? Need to have that Pinterest perfect home?

  • Do we feel lazy or like procrastinators? Home always a mess, dishes and laundry piled up?

  • Are we struggling with anxiety, insomnia, depressed or just feeling discontent?

  • How much extra money am I spending because of that ad I saw?

  • Is my happiness contingent on the number of likes I receive on my posts or reels, or does it make me feel despondent when I don’t receive any likes?

  • Is it impossible to watch a movie at home without constantly reaching for your phone?

Could our phones be subtly robbing us of focus, peace, contentment, and joy? There’s no doubt they’re snatching away precious time.  How many times have I heard someone say they’d just be a second and started scrolling or watching, only to have that 5 minutes turn into an hour or even more? Meanwhile, the kids are running free, making messes that are overwhelming to pick up later. It makes us feel like we never accomplish anything.

Phone addiction is real, and becoming more and more of an issue. Are you possibly a phone addict?

According to Tony Reinke, “We check our smartphones about 81,500 times each year, or once every 4.3 minutes of our waking lives…”. These numbers were from a book written in 2017. I believe those numbers are much higher now.

The Addiction Center also has some important insight into this issue as well. They say, “According to a 2024 survey, 50% of Americans spend 5-6 hours on their smartphone every day.

And from the same article:

“Grey matter in the brain is connected to the part of the central nervous system responsible for enabling individuals to control movement, memory, and emotions. A recent study scanned participants’ brains with a phone addiction and discovered a change in their brain’s grey matter. According to the researchers, the physical shape and size of their brains resembled that of drug users. Grey matter volume among people addicted to their phones diminished in critical areas, a condition similarly observed in people with a substance use disorder.

What Is Phone Addiction?

Phone addiction is the obsessive use of a smartphone. This behavioral addiction is often dubbed as “nomophobia,” or the fear of being without a mobile device. People with a phone addiction may experience anxiety, agitation, and disorientation if they are unable to use their smartphone.

Below are a few ways to discern if someone has signs and symptoms of a phone addiction:

  • Lying about smartphone use.

  • Loved ones expressing concern.

  • Neglect or trouble completing duties at work, school, or home.

  • More and more time using a phone.

  • Checking peoples’ profiles repeatedly due to anxiety.

  • Accidents or injury due to phone use.

  • Working later to complete tasks.

  • Weak or non-existent social life.

  • Fear of missing out.

  • Isolation from loved ones.

  • A feeling of lack of connection.

  • Angry or irritated if phone use is interrupted.

  • Getting up at night to check a phone.

  • Reaching for the phone the moment they are alone or bored.

  • Phantom vibrations (thinking the phone buzzes when it doesn’t).

  • Limiting phone use is difficult.

  • Craving access to a smartphone or another device.”

We’ve let the phone become a master when it should be a tool. We scroll when we should be praying or reading. We compare when we should be creating. We covet when we should be content. We’re letting a glowing screen dictate our mood, our habits, even our time spent in the Word and prayer.

So, what does the Word of God say?

Redeeming the Time
Ephesians 5:15-16 says, "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."
Our time matters. It’s not disposable. It’s a gift, and we’re called to use it with wisdom.

Diligence vs. Sloth
Proverbs 6:6-8 gives us the example of the ant: “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.”
Even nature teaches us that diligence brings provision. Laziness leaves us empty.

The Fleeting Nature of Life
Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
We won’t live forever. What we do with our days matters in eternity.

Seek the Lord
Hosea 10:12 tells us to sow righteousness and seek the Lord. If our phones are preventing us from doing this, we have to reevaluate.

Be a Wise Steward
The parable in Matthew 25:14-30 reminds us: we are stewards of all God has given us—including our time.

Wait on the Lord
Psalm 27:14 encourages us to “Wait on the Lord; be strong and take heart.” But how can we hear His voice if we’re always tuned into the noise of the world?

Beloved, may we take an honest look at how our phones have affected us—not just our to-do lists, but our hearts. Have they made us discontent, impatient, distracted? Have they stolen time from our families, our marriages, homeschooling time, house work, our quiet time with the Lord?

This isn’t a post about guilt—it’s about awareness. Let’s be watchful. Let’s redeem our time. Let’s get closer to Jesus and make room for the Gospel to be the most important thing in our homes and lives. Let’s do what’s right in the eyes of the Lord!

Let’s put down our phones and focus on what truly matters. I love what Erin Davis once said as she encouraged us to go to the Word first when we wake up before grabbing our phones, “the Throne before the phone!”

Take Action: Ask yourself how you can reduce phone time to focus on truly important things. What steps will you take? Ask a sister in Christ to hold you accountable for your phone use. Schedule your screen time and make a promise to only pick up your phone after you’ve been spiritually nourished. Remember, the specific commitment may vary from person to person, but the crucial aspect is to begin somewhere, acknowledge any sins your phone has caused, and strive for a change in behavior that leads away from a phone addiction. I firmly believe that if we all made this change, our lives would experience significant improvements!

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV)
”But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33 ESV)

Footnote:

  1. 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You-Tony Reinke Chapter 1 pg 41

  2.   https://www.addictioncenter.com/behavioral-addictions/phone-addiction/

***Recommended Reading/Listening***

DONNA HÉBERT

Donna Hébert has been happily married to Jeff for 25 years and is a proud mother of six and grandmother to 18. A veteran homeschooling mom of over 20 years, she has dedicated much of her life to educating and nurturing her family. She has a deep love for studying theology and finds joy in running, spending time with her loved ones, zooming with her Mini Goldendoodle, Yuki, and watching sunsets on the beach. Donna is a member of Northwest Baptist Church.

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