I have a deep love for pansies. Just like last year, they’re still going strong several months after I planted them. In fact, they were the first flowers I planted in pots – in early April. One of my pansy pots was still thriving in November of last year. Don’t know if that will happen again this year, but they are definitely plucky little beauties!
This new challenge I have set for myself – that of shutting off and then staying off my cell phone and laptop after I’ve checked in with both in the morning (including writing a blog post) – is showing me just how addictive a cell phone can be. At one point in the afternoon, I had the phone next to me because it was charging off my laptop and, boy, I had to actively, even aggressively, resist picking it up to ‘check in’ with Instagram. All while I was reading a book. It was fascinating and more than a little revealing.
It is an addiction, you know. Reams have been written about it. They’re convenient yes, but they’re intended to be addictive, and we see evidence of that everywhere we go. From those who walk down the street with their heads downward, looking at their phones, to those who can’t turn off their phones in a theater during a live performance because they might miss a text (who is that important?), to those who must document via a selfie everything they do in the course of a day, to those who share a meal with someone only to be looking at a screen the entire time. No one is that important. It’s all smoke and mirrors, designed to make us feel more important. But really, there’s a serious issue at hand if one’s sense of self-worth comes from a virtual life lived inside a phone.
I’m not nearly as bad as that, but I do have my issues. It’s time to take control of that. I made it through the vast majority of my life without a cellphone. Without a personal computer. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for both. But I have to remind myself that when cell phones were first available, I said to everyone, “The last thing I want is for everyone to be able to reach me when I’m out of the office, or driving, or walking on the beach.” I held off for a long time before I bought one, and we only did that because we were driving in separate vehicles on our move across the country to New York and wanted to be able to stay in contact with each other in the case of an emergency.
I love having a smartphone and I don’t regret using one. It’s enormously helpful in my professional work and I love the visual stimulation of Instagram. The iPhone camera is so good that I often use those pictures for the blog and for Instagram. But I am putting my foot down. I refuse to let it dominate my day.
I’ve declared war.
Today, we’re driving across the Hudson River to investigate a small independent bookstore. I’ve been there before, but it’s been many years. Don just finished his book and is looking for a new one and he’s sort of exhausted the inventory in our local bookstore.
A little adventure for the day.
Happy Tuesday.
Can be an addiction like anything else
I am
Still saving for a laptop on which I can write column!
For now use iPad two times a day and keep phone in vicinity in case family
Needs school help etc
I don’t do Facebook or Instagram or those social things
Read few blogs-love yours!!!
One of my very very favorites !!!! You are impressive !!!
When I see folks using cell phones, I think how nice it is that they have people with whom to connect,
Maybe they r reading! Maybe they are learning something about politics or the environment.
Some misuse; some use for good!!
Great little invention
When I was growing up, I heard,
“The telephone will be the death of us!
Television will ruin our teenagers.”
“Rock and roll music is evil.”
Each generation has inventions we use; it is choosing wisely that counts!!!
YOU are doing that!!!!
“Each generation has inventions we use; it is choosing wisely that counts!!!”
Very well said…I totally agree. ;)
xo
Thank you, Brenda. It’s all about balance, isn’t it?
I view my phone strictly as a tool. I guess that’s because for so long I did not have a smart phone…only a flip phone. Texting was a fruitless exercise…too complicated. My iPad is my downfall. I am addicted to it…and I can waste endless hours going down various rabbit holes.
I have set limits myself on the use of my iPad. Somedays, I don’t get to your blog until late…my bad. It’s all in an effort to find more productive hours…and to find more hours to relax, read, garden, watch movies…or simply nap. I’ve finally convinced myself that I do not need to know what’s going on in the world at all times. I’ve stopped the alerts…too much noise, and too much temptation.
I wish you luck in your challenge…I know you’ll find your balance. Enjoy your trip today…a bookstore is always a fine destination! ;)
I’m with you. I do not need to know the current state of the world or of this country. I have severely limited my time reading news.
Thanks, Donnamae!
Congratulations!!! I am trying to stay off of my computer for the better part of the day. I keep my phone with me, but only in case the kids or a friend texts me. I deliberately do not have any social media on my phone, so I rarely even look at it unless it chirps or rings. I’m glad you are conquering your challenge!!!!
Slowly but surely! Don is doing the same. Thanks, Chris!
I’m so with you on the phone. I know my personality and I know that if I had a phone or tablet that was right at hand, I’d be checking it often. I don’t even do instagram! If I was still working I could see the need. It would have been helpful in those last few years and yet it never seemed to affect my work or the ability people had to find me, probably because they hadn’t peaked then! And I really don’t like to be able to be reached when walking or driving. My exception, as yours was, is travel. And part of that is purely selfish. When I’m at the lake for a month or traveling, I like to be able to call Rick or have him call me because, gee, I miss the guy. Same for a couple of good friends. And at the lake it sure came in handy when we had to call 911 this summer! (There’s no landline there.) And good to have in the car on long trips, especially since I drive a 2001!
But you’re right — phones and social media are a bit of an addiction. I like seeing the FB stuff but I know if I had a phone that could instagram I would be there and I don’t need one more spot to “be.” I generally post on Marmelade Gypsy about two or three times a week and answer as many replies personally as I have contact info for and visit all the others. That keeps me pretty darned busy!
On another note, I love your pansies. Mine made it a good part of the summer but the neglect with travel did them in. Yours are simply stunning.
I hope you both find the perfect books in the indy store and thank you for supporting them!
We loved the store. You can read about it on today’s post. Thanks, Jeanie!
I have been teaching English for 35 years. In the past eight years, there has been a steady decline in my high school students’ reading skills. I am in a middle to upper middle class school, but I see students who do not read, period. Even though I teach 11th grade, some of my students read at middle school reading levels (some are even lower). Studies have proven that electronics and reading are two separate interactions in our brains, and unfortunately, lack of reading impacts comprehension, higher level thinking skills, and vocabulary.
Between video games and cell phones (video games on cell phones, too!), the reading rates have drastically declined at an accelerated rate. Kids are OBSESSED with their phones. Trying to get them to focus without texting during class is a constant battle. Not only that, the social media posts cause drama throughout the day. It is obvious that cell phones/apple watches create a high-level of anxiety and are pretty unhealthy, so unhealthy that some area schools have banned them.
I like computers and cell phones, but I believe that they should only have a minor place in our daily lives (never mind how they influence elections…a different conversation for the future).
It’s so sad. There is a direct connection to the decline in reading skills, comprehension and vocabulary. It’s heartbreaking. Thanks for sharing your perspective Tina-Marie.
It is frustration that is ruling my day! I have been on the computer almost non-stop since 8 this morning. I stopped long enough to put a load of clothes in the washer and then to switch it out.
I’m trying to find a new place to live. I live in the back of beyond. The easiest way to find a new place that doesn’t involve 100’s of driving miles is on the internet.
Tomorrow, I will shut the computer off. However, I will be on the phone talking to the people at the apartments that I made note of today.
If I knew how to spell the noise I just made I would type it out for you, but I didn’t recognize any of the letter sounds.
I hope the bookstore was wonderful.
Well, that’s when the Internet is a wonderful tool – looking for a new place to live. Hang in there, Trudy, and best of luck!
I haven’t done so well today, but I’m using the excuse that at one time Brian was out and about and I knew he’d be texting me, and then I was out and needed to text Tim about something at a store. I’m back at home now and relaxing by reading some blogs before I head into the kitchen to make dinner. Phone is in my bedroom, not by my side! I’m off to read two more blogs, then this laptop is being shut down, too. So I’m at least trying!
An adventure to a new bookstore sounds like a fantastic day to me!
You’re doing a good job, Melanie. Some days will be better than others, right?
My laptop is shutting down all by itself. Ugh. Probably old age. So I’m pecking this out on my phone ( aka the reading machine) and my finger is tired, so bye for now.
Oh, goodness. Typing anything on my phone makes me crazy! Hang in there, Shanna.
I can not understand how some people can walk and talk on the phone. I would be afraid of stepping into a whole or tripping on a sidewalk. Have fun at the independent bookstore. Hope Don finds a good one.
Marilyn
It is risky, for sure, Marilyn!
I’m on my computer at work for 8 – 10 hours a day, 5 -6 days a week and it involves reading heaps of case law, so my personal screen time is limited to about half an hour a day (dealing with personal emails and reading one or two of my favourite blogs).
I’d much rather read a book or draw or be outside. My daughter bought me a smart phone more for the camera than anything else. (She also set me up an Instagram account to post pictures of miniatures – sadly only one post so far.) I guess I’m low-tech or old-tech, not high tech. I do think email and instagram are great tools for me to stay in touch with faraway family, just not all the time. Even if I lived closer, I wouldn’t call or see them everyday.
See? You’ve already made wise decisions about computers and phones and social media, Barbara. Good for you!
I suppose it’s like anything else in life, the best way is everything in moderation. We’re not allowed to use our personal phones during work time, I look at a computer screen for the majority of my working day but we’re only allowed internet use at lunchtime. As it’s local government, all usage is closely monitored.
When I’m home, I do like to browse on my Kindle and this blog is one of my favourites, when it’s morning for most of you, it’s late afternoon here, just the right time for getting home, making a coffee and having a relaxing read😀
Happy Tuesday (although I’m up late and it’s already Wednesday!)
Balance and moderation, for sure, Dee Dee. Thank you!
ditto. keeping things short after a long day.
i trust you and don both found something to read at that bookstore! :) :)
have a good night.
kathy in iowa
We did. Thanks, Kathy.
I’m proud of you and all the readers for recognizing we need limits on the phone use!
And those pansies; oh, they’re wonderful. I love the colors so much that I once did a bathroom in that violet and yellow.
Will love to hear about your jaunt today. What did you see along the way? Lots of fall color? We coincidentally took a break in the house clean-out and after about six errands spontaneously decided to head to the beach even though we hesitated for the time it would take away from our work; but, wow, was it a tonic for me, as always. Water was green-aqua and it would seriously have matched some of that color in your home, Claudia. Was so beautiful out there. A small change of scenery even close to home can be such a recharger. And I’m never happier than when sharing a road trip with my husband (he was a good boy; only picked up the phone a couple of times, briefly!).
Too early for fall color. That won’t begin to happen in earnest until late September and October. Glad you had some peaceful time at the beach, Vicki!
Bonsoir Claudia,
I am a bit late to read your posts. I understand very well why you want to reduce the use of your iphone or laptop.
I have my iphone in my pocket but I have so few contacts except my family that it does not ring often so I am not addicted to it. I have an Instagram account but I do not publish in it.
I agree with you when you say it is useless to post selfies every day. What is the interest ? the navel-gazing must stop ! Millions and millions photos are published every minute and they are irrelevant and plus by using Instagram, Facebook and other social medias we consume energy and we know that the data centers are energy intensive. The more we publish photos, posts and so on the more these structures use colossal energies that are lost energies. It is not good for our planet :o(
By the way, I like to read your daily post.
Have a good evening (without watching your phone :o)
You make such a good point. Energy consumed and for what? Selfies?
Thank you so much, Helene!