This chart messed me up.
If I live another 30 years and I see my closest friends about 2 days a year, that’s 60 days total for the rest of my life. Sixty.
Meanwhile, I’m on track to spend thousands of days on my phone. Scrolling. Liking. Watching videos I won’t remember tomorrow.
Table of Contents
The Math
One of my closest friends lives in New York. I’m in Bucharest. Others are in Houston and California.
We’re still “close.” But proximity has quietly disappeared.
When I actually sat with that math, it hit me hard. Sixty days with the people who know me best. Versus nearly 5,000 days staring at a screen.
And for what? Half the time I’m just watching strangers fall off bikes on Instagram.
Paying Attention
So I started paying attention.
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How often I check my phone.
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How quickly I reach for it when I’m bored.
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How easily real connection gets replaced by digital noise.
The numbers were humbling.
Making Shifts
So I’m making a shift. Less time feeding algorithms. More time feeding relationships.
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More check-in calls.
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More voice notes.
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More “thinking of you” texts.
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More actual plans: dinners, game nights, small gatherings.
Because relationships don’t run on autopilot. If you don’t water them, they fade. And no amount of likes or emojis will replace time spent together.
Show Up
Nobody gets to the end and wishes they sent more connection requests.
They wish they showed up more. Called more. Made the time while it was still easy.
Your Reminder
If the math doesn’t add up for you either: too much time online, not enough with people you care about. Maybe this is your reminder.
Sixty days isn’t much. And if you don’t protect it, it disappears faster than you think. If you’re struggling with digital addiction, you’re not alone.
The shift is simple: less time feeding algorithms, more time feeding relationships. Start with one check-in call, one voice note, one actual plan this week.
I host monthly small cocktail parties for people who want real connections in Bucharest. Check out this page for more info.