Less is more in 2026

I’m not a fan of New Year’s resolutions and have given little thought over the years to pledging a better me based on year-end inspirations. When I seldom have, they didn’t last.
But this year feels different, based on a gnawing realization that the convenient high-tech phone always within my grasp has started to suck away too much of my time, which at my age is growing more precious by the day.
Social media is the culprit. Though I tell myself I’m not distracted every time my cell pings a new post (mainly because it’s usually on silent mode) I’ve found myself spending more time scrolling than I used to. 
Apparently I’m not alone, as a recent Gallup poll found that the average American spends around 2 hours and 9 minutes per day on social media. That’s a whole lot of scrolling, not to mention time looking down at your phone instead of engaging with the world around you. 
TikTok is reportedly the most used social media platform, though Twitter (X) is my preferred platform. That and YouTube, where I like to catch video summaries of Husker games I’ve missed. Facebook just isn’t my thing, which is why I hand the keys to ANR’s Facebook and Instagram accounts to younger staff members who speak that language instinctively.
That same Gallup poll reported that American women are more likely to use social media than men, and that, interestingly, social media use is down two minutes in the past year and down 10 minutes from 2023. I’m not sure what all those stats mean, but I do know that algorithms tracking my phone habits result in me getting posts and ad pitches about topics that interest me — namely golf and all things Huskers.
So I’m not swearing off social media altogether. Let’s not get crazy. I still want to know how the Huskers are doing and whether my golf swing can be fixed by a $39.99 training aid.
But in 2026, I’m trying something simple: fewer glances down, more looks up. More conversations that don’t involve a screen, more moments noticed instead of scrolled past. The phone will still be there, as it always is, but it doesn’t need to be the first thing I reach for every idle moment.
If that means missing a post or 10, I’ll survive. If it means reclaiming a little time, a little attention, and maybe even a little patience, that feels like a fair trade. Less scrolling, more living.
And if you see me staring at my phone in public, feel free to remind me of this column. Just don’t do it by tagging me on social media :-)
KURT JOHNSON can be reached at kjohnson@ hamilton.net