Kicking My Technology Addiction

Photo borrowed from Pintrest

Today was monumental for me. I quit my soul-sucking-corporate-job over a month ago and had been intending to offload my smartphone since I sent in my resignation. Two days ago I settled on a new phone and ordered it. It arrived today and I have been tinkering with it all evening. My smartphone started out great. It was like the first week of a new relationship where you look past the other person’s flaws and only see their good qualities. “Wow, he is sooo great. We LOVE all the same things [so he stole a few cars].” Just kidding. My phone had nifty aps, a fancy touchscreen and I could get directions no matter where I went. I felt invincible. I believe I even uttered the words “how could I ever live without this phone?” But after a while, it became a point of anguish. Instead of only checking my email at work, or once or twice from home, the relentless bell rang EVERY TIME I got an email. You may be thinking, “why not just turn the bell off, or not answer your email?” Easier said than done; anxiety would build not knowing what important note was nestled in my phone begging to be read. What if it was an emergency? (Believe it or not, people in my office would email instead of call in some urgent situations. They are the reason automated phone systems have to specify that you “hang up and call 911 if this is an emergency.” Duh.) The other problem with smart phones is that people assume that if you CAN read their email or answer your phone that you WANT to. Think Saturday, while you are at lunch, or on vacation. And have I mentioned how much that sucker cost? My husband and I were shelling out $180 per month to our cell phone provider. I am happy to report that our new phones have cut that cost in half. 

Recently kicked your data plan to the curb? Can’t live without it? Other random thoughts on technology? Leave ‘em here. 

 -M