You Bought a Leash and Used It On Yourself

I was thinking about a dog leash. Why? I have no idea, I own a cat.

It’s a simple tool of intentional control, bought to keep a dog safe from cars, getting lost or launching into a doggy battle.

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The dog doesn’t understand this intention. It just feels the pull. If a dog wanted to run free, it would never buy its own leash.

I did, and you did too.

We bought this amazing tool, this phone, (i’m typing on right now) believing it was for freedom, connection, and fun.

But we’ve started to use it… unintentionally.

Without realizing it, we’ve fastened the collar. We let notifications pull us into the traffic of other’s opinions.

DOOM SCROLLING!

We let the infinite scroll confine us to a tiny digital patch of grass.

We became the dog, forgetting we are also the one who is supposed to be holding the handle.

The leash isn’t the enemy.

The phone isn’t the enemy.

The unintentional use is.

It’s Friday.

Maybe this weekend is a good time to remember who is actually holding the leash.

🐲 Your Turn

Be honest: where’s the best place to “accidentally” leave your phone for a couple of hours?

VengaDragon is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.