Dependence or Obsession?

by Margie Senechal
 
Last week I lost my phone for a day. 

I didn't go into full mode panic, because I was reasonably sure that it was in my mom's car despite the fact that she had already searched for it. No offense to my mom, but I knew I could be more thorough because I was invested in finding my phone.
 
During the 24+ hours that I was phoneless, I realized how reliant I was on my little rectangular life line.

When it was time to get ready for bed, I didn't have an alarm clock to set for the next morning. I also didn't have my work schedule that I save in my pictures each week or the numbers of my fellow managers. Those aren't phone numbers that I've memorized.

When I had an idea for my WIP, I didn't have my notes app to quickly type it in. 
  
I had no Candy Crush to keep me company as I watched TV. Or IMDB to look up someone who was on a show, because what else had he been on???

I had to actually get on my computer to check my email and Facebook. It occurred to me that my phone has become a convenient replacement for my computer. The only time I get on my computer is to write or edit. Otherwise, most of my online activity is done via my phone.

On my lunch break, I didn't have access to my Kindle book I was currently immersed in and I couldn't check in on my friends via FB or see what was happening in the news...

So, I called my mom (I do have her numbers memorized) and asked where she'd be when I got off work because I was going to search her car myself. She was just arriving at the car wash across the street from my work and said she'd call my phone and search herself. I was thankful that for once I'd left the ringer on. Twenty minutes later she arrived holding my phone.
 
And my 24 hours of trauma was over. I know in the grand scheme of things--hurricanes and all--this is a minute trauma. But, I do believe it's a relatable one.

Have a great Thursday!