Wow. This has been quite a week. Not only did I decide to stop using my smartphone, The Universe decided I would stop using any cell phone at all (I Broke My Doohickey). Then, after endless hours of searching for the perfect basic phone (which, I'm pretty sure only existed in the early 2000s), waiting the four days for it to arrive, then waiting 24 hours for the battery to charge (remember that?!), I find out it is incompatible with Cricket (and this is after hours of research on networks and compatibility, which is now taking up space in my brain that could be used for much more interesting facts).
(This blog is not supposed to be about "why you should never give up your smartphone", but it's sure starting to feel like that!)
So, here I am, still without a phone and after some pretty rough days, I will admit that it has become manageable. I am still here, breathing, living, existing. The world hasn't stopped spinning. Life does go on without a smartphone, but I also have to admit that a life of extreme convenience has been lost. No more dictating while my phone magically writes a text message. No more Googling the lyrics to the Family Ties theme song while on a boat in the middle of a lake. Yes it can be done, and through the murky haze of transitioning to this point, I have even found a couple of bright patches - like being present! (Hello people right in front of me! Nice to notice you!) That has really felt great, but those moments have still been few and far between, (mostly because I have been obsessed with the loss of my smartphone).
For first few days I felt like I had just been broken up with. I couldn't stop thinking about my smartphone. Everywhere I went, everything I did, reminded me of her. From the moment I woke up in the morning, to sitting on my couch at the end of a long day, to reaching for my "book" before I went to sleep at night, it all reminded me of that special time we had shared. Sometimes I would reach for her, and be jolted back to reality when I came up empty handed. Where were my texts? What was going on in the rest of the world? How was I suppose to confirm meetings if I couldn't check my calendar or send a text beforehand? Would that person still be planning on my visit? How was I to know?
What?
You think I'm being melodramatic or "over-romanticizing" life with a smartphone?
Moi?
Ok, maybe just a tad. My smartphone never kept me warm at night or whispered sweet nothings in my ear, but it was a close second to my husband. The truth of the matter is that it hasn't been as easy as I thought it was going to be. It has finally registered that I was basically addicted to my electronic partner in crime, and as with most addictions, you have to deal with the low lows before you can rise up and prevail!
When you try to kick any addiction or habit, you plan on it kicking your ass for the first few days, but it still always seems surprising and unexpected when it happens, nonetheless. I didn't expect to experience any withdrawal symptoms, because, you know, it's my smartphone. Everybody's doin' it. But there they were.
Some of you already know this, but smartphone addiction is a real phenomenon. Just Google "smartphone addiction" and you will get millions of results (and I'm actually not exaggerating here). The following list was taken from American Addiction Centers about typical withdrawal symptoms that occur when abstaining from alcohol.
The bulk of withdrawal symptoms will be present during the acute withdrawal phase and may include:
- Tension
- Panic attacks
- Tremors
- Difficulty concentrating
- Short-term memory loss
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Disturbed sleep
- Headache
- Heart palpitations
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Muscle pain and stiffness
- Hypertension
- Irregular heart rate
At the time, I didn't recognize them as withdrawal symptoms. I thought I was just being super bitchy, but upon reflection, I remembered a few of them from quitting other habits or addictions. Anxiety, tension, irritability and difficulty concentrating were my biggest offenders. It's rough stuff!
Whew! Glad I got that out of my system. I am starting to feel normal without my extra appendage. Now comes the adjustment phase. I have stopped twitching and am not nearly as panicky when I get into my car without my smartphone. I don't know how long this next part of the journey is going to last, but the first week has been a doozie! I won't say it can't get any worse, because I just lived through last week. I'm just looking forward to more of the "being present" part of this journey.
No comments:
Post a Comment