The answer is probably, yes if you want the short version. I know I am. The first step is to admit you have a problem right? Ever since I entered the smartphone world 2 years ago (I was a bit of a late joiner), my phone has been way more attached to me. Well imagine if your phone suddenly died. What would you do?
This actually first happened to me last October when I decided to touch the “install update” button on my phone. Bad move. My phone had no storage space and it decided for its update to delete the “battery charge file” which sounds kind of important. Yep, after that, my phone didn’t turn on. I immediately took it to the Sprint store the next day and it was under warranty but that involved mailing it out and waiting weeks for a phone. When you only have 1 phone, no land line at home and you go to many things alone, your phone is for your safety. At least that is how I view mine, my safety blanket, my bff, my book, my connection to everything! So anyway that led to me spending $80 to get it looked at right away, surprise surprise, they could not do anything and I had to wait a few days for the new phone to come in. Meanwhile I walked around with my ipad mini at my side where I at least had apps for texting and all my social media at my fingertips still. Considering how rarely I use my phone for calling these days, the ipad sufficed for the time being. My boyfriend also ordered a used but upgraded phone for me and eventually I joined the Samsung Galaxy S3 people with their phones. Sometimes it feels like I have had this phone for forever, then I realize it has only been 13 months.
Then Monday, scrolling through some things in between tasks at work (our internet at work is super slow), go back to working for a bit, click the button on my phone, nothing. Hmmm maybe it’s just being slow, give it some time, click again, nothing. Plug it into the charger, nothing. Minor freak out, but realize my boyfriend already got me a new phone so at least I don’t have to wait days, just need to activate it. Try to take out the battery and put it back in. Then I realize, well now it’s really dead, because my power button randomly stopped working a month ago. Then the slowness started and the overheating and I knew it wasn’t going to last until Christmas and I was right.
I emailed my dad from work to get him to hopefully activate the new phone ASAP. Until then phoneless. The work day was almost over anyway but I had a train ride home and didn’t even bring my kindle with me. What was I thinking leaving my back up reader at home?!
The train was on time, thankfully, so I didn’t have to wait long. I then stood on the train, phoneless, nothing to read. I even debated picking up a magazine in the train station, but didn’t. No, I could survive a ride without looking at my phone. Instead I just observed people, playing games on their phone, scrolling through Facebook and Instagram and secretly wondering how many I could sneak up on and scare them because they are completely unaware of their surroundings. Is it only me that thinks these things?
I admit I am one of those people sometimes. Other times, I read a blog post, then put my phone down to observe for a bit, give my eyes a break and straighten my posture so I hopefully don’t end up hunched over.
Yes I am addicted to my phone. When you move away from home and do many activities alone, it happens. Reading blogs motivates me and they conveniently can be read on my phone to pass the time on the train. Instagram posts motivate me and teach me. The world of social media is truly amazing! I love it as I can connect to so many people. Sure, life used to be more simple. I wondered as I stood on the train what riding the train to work was like 20 years ago. People packed in the train, sitting and standing and just finding a point to stare at? I know in the morning some people still read the paper so there is that.
I think what I am getting at though, is that once in a while, put your phone down, look around, observe, and be aware of your surroundings. If anything it will help lessen your panic if your phone decides to die. But I think it is also important to just be aware and live your life outside of your phone screen.
If you made it through this post, thank you. I just felt like rambling a bit. Not having a phone to stare at also makes your mind think! I love you technology, but I also enjoy the break sometimes too.
Let’s hope my next phone beats the 13 month record (first one lasted 11 months).
Did you or would you panic if your phone died?
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Ooooooh boy. To say I have thoughts on this subject is an understatement. First of all, I have the worlds’ worst luck with phones… everyone who knows me knows this. I lose, break, or have mine stolen at least 2-3 times a year. I also never used to even be a technology person – I still don’t consider myself one. I don’t understand it and a lot of it just frustrates me. And YET, I have now found myself to also be allllways with my phone. Going to it when I have even a minute of free time. I do not like how much I seem to be looking down at my screen, rather than out at the real world. I know that blogging and reading other articles on line is motivational and good for me, so I try not to be too hard on myself, but I’m just trying to be more and more aware of when I truly “want” to be on my phone/computer and when actually… I don’t… and could rather engage with real people instead. Definitely a constant battle and pressing subject in our world at the moment!
I definitely agree. I love reading blogs and such but sometimes it is also great to have a conversation with someone face to face and phones put away. I’m going on my third phone and third year of having a smart phone. It’s crazy to me because I am so careful with mine, they just break themselves…Pre smart phones, I was always able to wait at least until my 2 year contract was up. Though I don’t seem to remember those times well. It feels like I have had a smartphone forever sometimes, like how did I live without it?
I -try- to be conscious of how often I use my phone, but ugh… it’s definitely not easy to get by without one. I maxed out my data a few months ago, meaning I couldn’t look up anything while I was out and about, and I seriously hated it. It’s just hard to get by without it when SO much of our lives seem to be online these days 😕
It really is hard to get by without it. I freak out when mine dies because I go so many places by myself and don’t have many people that I know since I only moved a year and a half ago. I like that we can be more open online and connect, but yeah it’s still hard to not want to stare at the screen all the time when I am bored at work.
I don’t have a smart phone, but I do have an I-pod, and I’ve had to really ask the Lord to help me not to idolize it, but truly put Him first. It’s hard sometimes when the distractions are calling, but I really want to enjoy each moment that God has given me. It’s not wrong to be on it, but I also don’t want to be addicted to it. Thanks for writing this and getting me to think!
That’s amazing that you don’t have a smartphone. I mean I really love my smartphone, but have to remember to also live in the present (that’s what yoga has taught and helped me with) at times too.
I know it is terrible, but I am totally with you on this. Whenever I’ve had tech issues, it’s stressed me out to no end until they’re fixed!