Don't Use Your Phone While You Poop
In a world of constant digital stimulation, the humble bathroom break offers a rare chance for quiet reflection. This piece argues that scrolling on the toilet robs us of a natural, built-in opportunity to let our minds wander, consolidate memories, and process emotions. It's a playful yet persuasive case for embracing boredom and giving your brain a break—plus a warning about the literal crap you're bringing into the bathroom with you.
Our bodies have given us a built-in biological hall pass to check out from the world for a few precious moments.
- huhtenberg
Back when we lived without phones, we used to read instruction labels on all and any household cleaning products that were stored in the bathroom.
I bet there too was some obscure newspaper column that advised against that.
Yet, lo and behold, we survived!
- Retr0id
If pooping is the only time you spend away from your phone, you're not spending enough time away from your phone.
- brtkwr
Who read this while in the act?
- 01100011
Pooping is interesting. Having a toddler reminded me how pooping is this uniquely vulnerable, sensitive time for humans. I think a lot of us use books/phones/etc to distract ourselves from a sensorily intense activity. I'm not saying that's a good or bad thing, just noting it.
I will say that playing my Nintendo DS on the toilet many years ago gave me hemorrhoids that still persist decades later. Don't camp on the toilet.
- Waterluvian
But there aren’t enough shampoo bottles to read.
- ozten
From an evolutionary perspective, this is a super vulnerable moment and are in a state of hyper vigilance.
- sethammons
Flip side: more sitting on the toilet ensures a more complete emptying and less rushing/straining.
- alsetmusic
Ages ago, I let my partner borrow my first iPad after I'd upgraded. She'd take it into the bathroom. I never touched it because of that and I probably cleaned it when she gave it back to me.