Dear Lost Simplicity,

I am writing to you today because I almost forgot you existed. My days have been a blur of blue light from screens, my fingers constantly clicking away on a keyboard. This has become my everyday, an unquestioned norm that is completely different from the childhood that I recall.

Johann Hari’s Stolen Focus mentions,

“I noticed something that I rarely see in the Western world any more. All across the village, children were playing freely, without adults watching over them” (Chapter 14).

Reading those words, a quietness fell shocked my mind, which is normally so occupied by too many tasks related to work I need to complete. It was like I was sent back to days filled with sunlight, the simple joys of playing hopscotch, and learning to ride a bike. Entertainment wasn’t constantly stuffed in our faces, it was created by the world around us. There were always things to do, and it never felt like there was enough time to do it all.

Similar to Hari, I can’t think of many children who experience that kind of freedom today. A primary reason, beyond the fears of real-world dangers, is the overwhelming presence of social media and today’s entertainment. It’s a danger in itself.

Even online it’s easy to find content regarding how platforms like TikTok expose children to sensitive and harmful content, with an age gate that’s easily bypassed. This is true for so many other digital spaces. Additionally, hours tend to disappear into endless short videos, replacing what was once time for genuine play and exploration.

The issue isn’t just about wasted time, but instead about forgetting what it means to spend time in ways that feel whole and fulfilling. A young girl’s words in Hari’s book resonated deeply with me, which state, “Well, I’d literally sit in front of a TV all day. It doesn’t really pop into your head to do stuff.” This quote perfectly captures how stream-able entertainment has changed many people’s lives.

Why create imaginary worlds in the park when you can instantly explore digital landscapes or VR? Why invent stories when they are streamed in endless series? The ease of today’s world has replaced our usual wand to create, to wander, to explore.

This loss isn’t just for children. Adults have been affected, too. My own precious, limited hours dissolve into screens. I have replaced exploring outside with a constant idea of productivity, which I believe can only be accomplished online.

Despite all this, I don’t believe you are gone forever, lost simplicity. You are simply buried beneath layers of convenience, similar to snow, due to a relentless desire for productivity, and constantly becoming distracted.

I believe you are still waiting for us to find you again. I believe we all need to relearn the joy that doesn’t need to be planned, posted, or productive throughout social media posts or online homework. . We need to remember how to play.

Sincerely,
Someone who misses playing outside