The Trick That’s Stealing Your Treat

Since Halloween is this week, let’s talk about a little trick or treat situation that’s been quietly creeping into our lives.

It comes disguised as a harmless “treat”… but it's the biggest “trick” of all.

At first glance, it looks like connection. Inspiration. Entertainment.
But spend a little too long scrolling, and you’ll start to feel it:

The anxiety.
The pressure.
The low hum of discontent.
The question whispering inside you: “Why does everyone else seem so… happy?”

Let’s call it what it is.

Social media is stealing our joy.
And we’re letting it.

You’re Not Broken. You’re Just Wired for Something Better.

If you’ve been feeling off lately… you’re not crazy.
You’re not weak.
You’re just human.

As humans, we’re wired for tribal connection. We were created to thrive in small circles—10 to 20 close relationships, maybe 150 acquaintances max.

That’s how we’ve understood our place in the world for thousands of years—by comparing ourselves within our tribe. And because we were often surrounded by people living similar lives, we were able to feel grateful, capable, and connected.

But now?

Your “tribe” includes millions of people.
Perfectly filtered strangers. Staged vacations. Highlight reels. Artificially perfect lives.

And here you are…
Trying to cook dinner, check homework, respond to emails, or just catch your breath between loads of laundry—and your brain is comparing that to a luxury yacht in Italy with a caption that says “Just a Tuesday 😍.”

No wonder you feel like you’re falling behind. No wonder it feels like you’re not enough.

Even if we know it’s fake, our brains don’t care.
The comparison still happens.
The self-doubt still creeps in.
The loneliness still follows.

And this isn’t just an adolescent issue. It’s an everyone issue.

It affects me, too.

That’s why—outside of a few weekly intentional check-ins on LinkedIn—I stay off all social platforms.
Because even when I know it’s curated, I’m still human.
And it still gets to me.

Living in the Greatest Time… and Missing It

Let’s zoom out for a second.

We are living in the greatest time to be human.
Abundance. Opportunity. Medical advances. Connection.

So why are we unhappier, more anxious, and more disconnected than ever?

Because we’re spending a third of our lives glued to screens instead of present in real life.
And that kind of life isn’t filling us up—it’s draining us dry.

• 36% of all Americans, including 63% of adolescents say they feel serious loneliness

• 51% of moms with young children say the same

• 1 in 3 adults say they have no one to confide in

• Teen suicide rates have jumped 150% since 2010

• Depression and anxiety are skyrocketing across every demographic

This. Is. Not. Okay.
But it is reversible.

Here’s the Fix. (It’s Simple… But Not Easy)

You don’t need to smash your phone.
You don’t need to move to a cabin in the woods.
You just need to take back control.

The next time you reach for your phone… pause.
Ask yourself:
Am I reaching for connection? Or just something to fill the silence?

Because what you’re really longing for can’t be downloaded.
It’s not on a screen.
It’s right in front of you—in your own home, your community, your heart.

Start small:

• Go for a walk without your phone.

• Call a friend instead of “liking” a post.

• Sit down and talk—really talk—with your kids or your spouse or your neighbor.

• Don’t just pray for someone, pray with them.

Joy isn’t found in a screen.
It’s found in presence.

Let’s End the Trick. Reclaim the Treat.

I know this is a tough conversation. But it’s one that matters.

We’re not here just to sell chocolate. We’re here to bring people together.
To remind you of the sweet, sacred goodness of real connection.

So let’s do this together:
Put the phone down.
Pick your people up.
Enjoy something real—like a good conversation and maybe a bite of something sweet.

With love (and purposefully less screen time),
Brock

P.S. Your soul was never meant to be compared to a highlight reel.
If this message helped you see things a little clearer, pass it on to someone you love. Let’s reclaim joy—together.