Hello, Everyone!
I hope you’ve had a good week. Mine has been busy with activities at my day job and then trying to schedule some writing time. Throughout all this, in work, and play, and writing and family time, I’ve been amazed at how my life centers around my cell phone.
A few years ago, I noticed the attachment my nieces and nephews had with their cell phones. They were constantly staring at it, tapping it, and typing on a keyboard the size of a postage stamp. I’m pretty sure they don’t know what a postage stamp is, but they can type on it.
One evening, my sister picked up her daughter at an event she had attended with a boy. No sooner had my sister picked up her daughter and started to drive away, than her daughter started to text the boy she had just left.
“What could you possibly have to say?” my sister asked her daughter. “You’ve been with him all evening.”
Her daughter gave her one of those it’s-so-obvious-Mom looks and tapped out her text. Who knew so much had transpired in the span of a few seconds?
When smart phones were invented, I wanted one for one reason – I could read books on my phone. What a convenience! If I had to wait for someone, or for an event to begin, I didn’t have to sit and be bored – I could read a book.
At that time, I didn’t know how to text. How anyone texted on a flip phone was beyond me.
Then I bought a smart phone. Texting became important at my job. I was taking pictures and texting them to my boss and coworkers and anyone else who needed information. I used my phone so much, I was charging it at work.
Next, I learned how to download apps. I was on Facebook. I learned how to tweet – kind of. I had an Instagram account.
Oh, and then I could watch videos and shop and find out what was causing the traffic jam on my way home from work and order drinks from Starbucks so that my order would be waiting on the counter when I walked in. I didn’t have to talk to anyone. I picked my drink and left.
Then I realized – I wasn’t talking to anyone and I wanted to talk.
I went back to the counter and thanked the barista for making my drink. I actually like communicating. After all, I am a writer.
Had I become as attached to my cell phone as my nieces and nephews?
Yes.
I recently saw a post on the internet that was an invitation for people to come over so they could sit together and stare at their phones. I guess we need company to do that.
Recently my phone died. I thought I would go insane when the replacement phone didn’t arrive for four days. I couldn’t read my books. I couldn’t order from Starbucks. I had to shop the old fashion way – using my laptop.
I’m like the kids. When I’m at work, I’m walking down the hall and checking my phone. I take my phone with me everywhere.
I’ve read articles by people outlining the two-step program or the ten-step program to wean ourselves off our phones. Others discuss an intervention. I can’t wean myself from my phone. I’m hoping that my boredom level will kick in and that staring at my phone will lose its entertainment value.
Cell phones are convenient and important. They help us get through the day and they help us communicate. It isn’t just for pleasure. We need them for work, too. There are all sorts of apps for authors so they can write when they aren’t sitting in front of their computers. I don’t use them, but many authors do.
How about you? Can you live without your cell phone? If you can, or even if you can’t, let me know what it is you like, or don’t like, about your cell phone relationship.
Have a great week, Everyone!
Love,
Laura
