Dear JJ, You’re not needy — you’re a perfectly normal person to want connection with your partner. Current studies show that addiction to our phones and social media is a global issue that significantly harms well-being when used in excess. In relationships, it’s responsible for decreasing quality time, causing disconnection and reducing overall satisfaction.
I’ve said a million times before, communication is the key to healthy, happy relationships. I suggest starting with a heartfelt bid for connection and intimacy.
Maybe something like, “I miss connecting and talking with you, especially during dinner. Would you mind if we made meals a phone-free time?”
You might also like to mention that if he is always on the phone in bed, it makes more sense to have room for intimacy.
Frame it with intimacy, rather than a restriction. If your partner resists, reiterate your need for connection. If you still have no luck, it may be worth asking why the scroll is more important than the soul across from them.
Sometimes, bad habits point to bigger problems — but sometimes it’s just TikTok.
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"Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do.” — Brené Brown
Brené Brown is An American academic, podcaster and researcher. She is known for her work on courage, vulnerability and empathy, and for her widely viewed 2010 TEDx talk.
