More Than Screen Time—It’s Where My Purpose Lives

By: SodakArtist

If I open my screen time report, two apps almost always sit at the top.

The first is Sketchbook.

I’ve had Sketchbook for around three or four years now, and it’s consistently remained one of my most-used apps. That’s because for me, it isn’t just another drawing app—it’s a doorway into my imagination.

Before a painting is ever poured, before a tattoo is ever inked, before a woodworking project is built, or a character finds their place in one of my stories, it usually begins as a simple sketch. It’s where ideas are free to exist without judgment. Some stay rough concepts, while others grow into pieces that people eventually hang on their walls, wear on their skin, or experience through my writing.

As someone who works across multiple creative mediums, inspiration doesn’t keep a schedule. It can appear while I’m waiting in line, sitting in my truck, or lying awake in the middle of the night. Sketchbook lets me capture those moments before they disappear.

The second app would have to be Jetpack/WordPress.

Creating art is only part of who I am. The other part is understanding life deeply enough to put those thoughts into words.

Through my blog, I don’t just post updates—I explore ideas. I write about creativity, personal growth, philosophy, purpose, and the lessons I’ve gathered while navigating life as an artist. I also share parts of my journey as the self-published author of Arcane Chronicles: Exploring the Multiverse, because storytelling has become another way I express the questions and possibilities that constantly occupy my mind.

Writing slows my thoughts down just enough for me to examine them. Sometimes I begin with an answer. Other times I begin with a question and discover the answer somewhere along the way. In many ways, my blog isn’t just for readers—it’s a conversation with the person I’m continually becoming.

So, do I feel bad about my screen time?

Not at all.

I don’t measure my screen time by the number of hours. I measure it by what those hours produce.If my phone helps me create artwork, write another chapter, publish a blog that resonates with someone, or preserve an idea that would’ve otherwise been forgotten, then it’s serving a purpose rather than stealing one.

When people think of screen time, they often picture endless scrolling.

When I look at mine, I see sketches becoming paintings, thoughts becoming blogs, ideas becoming books, and dreams slowly becoming reality.

For me, the screen isn’t where I escape life.

It’s one of the places where I build it.