Summary

The author reflects on the rarity of outdoor play due to increased digitalization, particularly during the pandemic, and emphasizes the importance of occasionally disconnecting from the digital world to reconnect with physical activities.

Abstract

The article discusses the author's recent experience of playing outdoors after a significant period, highlighting the stark contrast between the pre-pandemic lifestyle and the current one. The author nostalgically recalls the last time they played outside, which was two years ago, before the pandemic. The pandemic has accelerated the shift towards a more digital, remote, and online way of life, leading to longer screen times and a sense of exhaustion. The author contrasts the current situation with the past, where a balance between school, play, and enjoyment was the norm. The article culminates in a call to action, urging readers to consciously reduce their digital engagement, suggesting activities like walking, meeting new people in real life, and playing outdoor games to maintain a healthier lifestyle.

Opinions

The author believes that the pandemic has intensified an existing trend towards increased digitalization.
There is a sense of nostalgia for the time before the pandemic when life was more balanced and involved less screen time.
The author suggests that the current reliance on digital platforms for education, entertainment, and social interaction is exhausting.
The article argues that people are aware of their addiction to digital devices but need to take active steps to reduce this dependency.
The author advocates for the importance of outdoor activities and physical play to refresh the mind and break away from the digital routine.
The author is of the opinion that making a conscious effort to engage in non-digital activities will be beneficial in the long run, with future selves appreciating the balance.

The Second Last Time I Played Outdoors Was An Eternity Ago. Is This the New Childhood?

Let’s not make everything DIGITAL, REMOTE, and ONLINE.

A person holding a cricket ball. Photo by Harsh Source.

After a long long time, I got a chance to play outdoors. And I didn’t let it slip.

That made me ponder on when I played last time. Like literally played—a game for an hour or two. And lo! I was lost in the memory lane.

Because that was years ago!

Two years ago!

Insert that “how good the life was before pandemic” line here.

Though things would have been different had this pandemic never happened. But objectively it did nothing but gave us a strong push on the way we were already walking.

More things digital.

More things remote.

And more things online.

So fast was the transformation that we didn’t get even a second to reflect?

I remember that when I was in grade 8, two years ago, things were so “sorted out.”

I don’t know if there’s any better way of putting it.

We went to school, had fun, studied freaking 6 hours, played, and still manage to enjoy and be satisfied with the day overall.

And now 10 hours of screen-time leave us exhausted.

Study. Online Games. Online. Entertainment. Online.

But yesterday was different. One of my friends invited me to play cricket and I joined him. We played for an hour in the cool and windy evening.

And that felt so refreshing.

Most of my friends were playing after a long time. And so was I. We had a lot of fun. Plus some good time outdoors, away from gadgets.

We can’t keep bitching about how we’re so addicted to our phones—we do though—but we need to take some conscious steps to part ways. For some time.

Take a walk. Meet and talk to someone new IRL. Play games.

Let’s make it a little less digital. Our future selves will thank us.

On that note, farewell for now. See you soon. 👋❤️