The Power of Stepping on Grass
Undoing Toxic Patterns of Disconnection in a Hyperconnected World
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Summer has been well under way, and almost over if we are being honest. And I hope by the end of it, we can all say we did something fun, got outside, disconnected from the chaos, noise, and internet, and had some moments where we were connected to self.
The truth is, we don’t realize how plugged in we are until the Wi-Fi gets shoddy. Or when we have to switch to airplane mode — and wait until the plane is halfway down the runway before we really turn our signal off. Or when there’s no signal at all, and suddenly, our phones become useless.
That’s when something finally forces us to put technology down.
And in those moments — if we’re paying attention — we have an unexpected opportunity to reconnect with ourselves. Sometimes, we don’t because we fear that we may be missing something.
We give children a lot of bad press for being glued to iPads and screens. But the truth? Adults are just as bad — we’ve just learned how to dress it up.
We call it “work emails,” “just checking something real quick,” or “keeping up with the news.” But let’s be honest: we’re also scrolling endlessly. Distracting ourselves from discomfort. Numbing out. Looking for validation, entertainment, or escape.
We’ve become addicted to being connected — even when it’s not connection we’re really getting. Some equate long lists of connections online as “friends” and these interactions as attention.
Think about how often it happens during the most important moments. During family functions, date nights, or time out with friends, there’s a moment when everyone reaches for their phone. No alert, no emergency — just an urge. The silence gets awkward. The conversation slows. The instinct kicks in: let me just check something real quick.
We reach for our screens, even in rooms full of love. We disconnect from what’s right in front of us — often without realizing it.
When are we going to start telling the truth about our own avoidance? Recognizing that the screen can be a shield — from presence, from discomfort, from the deep work of healing. And just like children, we sometimes need help putting it down and stepping back into what’s real.
That reality begins when we step outside. When we take off our shoes and put our feet on the ground — literally or figuratively.
Stepping on grass is more than just a poetic metaphor. It’s a return to the body. A reminder that life exists beyond the screen, beyond the performance, beyond the endless echo chambers of social media that loop anxiety, pressure, and perfectionism on repeat.
When we’re caught in those loops, we start to forget what’s real. We question our emotions, doubt our boundaries, and lose touch with our own knowing — because everything online is telling us who to be and how to feel.
But the grass doesn’t care if your boundaries made someone uncomfortable. The trees won’t ask you to perform your healing journey. Nature simply receives you — just as you are.
Mindfulness: A Practice of Coming Home
Mindfulness is one of the most effective tools for undoing toxic patterns, especially those driven by overstimulation and digital burnout. It’s not just about sitting quietly or doing breathwork (though those things help). It’s about building the muscle of presence.
When you feel the urge to check your phone — pause.
Ask yourself:
What am I feeling right now?
What am I avoiding or trying to fix?
What do I need in this moment?
This is mindfulness in action. It’s interrupting the loop.
You can practice it while walking barefoot outside, noticing each step. You can practice it while sipping your morning tea with no distractions. You can practice it in conversation — by staying present instead of planning your next response.
Mindfulness brings you back to your body — back to what’s real. And that’s where healing lives.
How to Resist the Pull of the Echo Chamber
The algorithm wants you addicted. It wants you anxious. It rewards urgency, comparison, and outrage. So resisting it isn’t just a wellness trend — it’s a quiet rebellion.
Here are a few ways to resist the pull:
Turn off notifications. Silence the false sense of urgency. Let your attention be yours again.
Schedule tech-free time. Whether it’s 10 minutes in the morning, a screen-free dinner, or a weekend walk without your phone — make it intentional.
Replace the scroll with something sensory. Water your plants. Put your feet in the grass. Light a candle. Play music. Touch something real.
Get curious about your urges. When you want to scroll, pause and ask: Is this about connection… or escape?
Give your inner child something better. Sometimes you’re not scrolling for information — you’re seeking comfort. Offer yourself a healthier way to self-soothe.
Remember, it’s not about being perfect or anti-technology. It’s about being intentional. It’s about not letting digital noise drown out your healing voice.
A Note for This Season
In this season of summer, I hope we’re taking time to disconnect — not just from our screens, but from the pressure to always be available, always be performing. I hope we’re stepping on grass, breathing deeply, and remembering what it feels like to simply be.
No filter.
No feed.
Just you — grounded, present, and free.
Reflection Questions
When was the last time you truly unplugged — not just physically, but mentally and emotionally?
What patterns of distraction or avoidance show up in your screen time?
How might your body be asking you to slow down and listen?
What toxic messages do you absorb from social media that no longer serve you?
What helps you feel grounded and connected in real life?
Let’s connect. Email me: moniqueevanstherapy@gmail.com
Accepting individual, couples, and family clients (self-pay and select insurance via headway.co- Monique Evans, LCSW)
For social work clinicians, I also offer clinical consultation meetings (Not to be confused with clinical supervision for licensure hours) at any level of practice.
Book me as your mental health presenter for speaking engagements, podcasts, panels, and presentations.
Disclaimer:
The intention for using social media for social workers and other mental health professionals is for marketing, education, advocacy, thought leadership, and providing content in a technologically changing field. We want to do this while making potential therapy-seekers aware of the risks and benefits of engagement on social media and Internet where mental health professionals are present. A therapeutic relationship is a professional relationship and in today's technological climate, a social media presence or following your therapist on social media is not to be confused with a relationship outside of therapy. Ethical, professional, and therapeutic boundaries must be followed and honored.
A counseling social media page or blog is not psychotherapy, a replacement for a therapeutic relationship, or substitute for mental health and medical care. A social media presence as a counseling professional is not seeking an endorsement, request, or rating from past or current clients. No social media posts or blog should be considered professional advice. The information contained in posts is general information for educational purposes only.
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