Just throw away the phone

It’s Fridaaaaaaaaay friend!

A few weeks ago, we took the kids on a little road trip.

Nothing fancy. Just a simple beach, a few sandwiches, and three kids with enough energy to power the island.

But somewhere between “Daddy I’m hungry” and “Daddy she took my leaf!” I caught myself scrolling.

Email.
Instagram.
Threads.
Back to email.

Until my son tugged my hand and said, “Daddy, come look.”

I looked down, thumb still hovering.

He didn’t wait.

So I sighed, locked my phone, and followed him barefoot across the hot sand to the edge of the water.

He pointed.
Eyes wide.
Mouth open.

To this day, I don’t even know what it was.

But the way he stared at it like it was the greatest thing he'd ever seen?

It reminded me what I’ve been missing.

See, I left my 9–5 to build something real.
To do work that matters.
To be here.

But somewhere between content, clients, and constant hustle, I forgot.

I got so busy documenting life, I stopped living it.

That moment by the beach?
No phone.
No deadline.
Just wonder.

Here’s the nudge I needed and maybe you do too:

Your next story doesn’t need more strategy.
It needs more presence.

Put the phone down.
Go live something worth writing about.

We’ll still be here when you get back.

Now after writing this I feel like going to the beach 😭😭

Enjoy your weekend!

Stephen

P.S. If you're ready to write stories that connect because you’ve lived them, Love, Learn, and Live Storytelling was made for you. Just reply “story” and I’ll send you the link.