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!

Comments

  1. LOL....I know what you mean. This morning I had an appointment and thinking it would be over in a matter of minutes, I didn't take my phone or my Kindle. The person I was supposed to meet wasn't going to be in for an hour. I debated waiting....then realized I had no way of amusing myself...couldn't check FB or Twitter; didn't have the Kindle for current reading material or even solitaire! Wasn't interested in watching what was on the waiting room TV or the assortment of magazines, so I returned home (5 minute trip) and drank another cup of coffee before heading back an hour later.

    Pathetic, aren't we?

    On the other hand, I have no 'separation anxiety' from my phone when I'm at home, and my 5 y/o granddaughter will bring it to me if she sees I'm in one room and I've left the phone in another! Hey....if it rings and I don't make it, they can always leave me a voice mail....or I'll call them back if I recognize the name/phone number!

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    1. Most of my calls come from my family and they know I'll call them back--once I see they've called. I have a bad habit of silencing my phone for a movie and then forgetting to turn it back up.

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  2. bahaha - I've lost my phone in the car, in my house..I once lost it and it was in my pocket.

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    1. This was the first time I actually lost it--I've forgotten it many a time :) as my daughters will tell you

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  3. I guesz I'm fortunate that I still have a paper organizer I call "my brain." But it can't entertain me while I'm at the doctor's office... :-)

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    1. My mom just bought me a purse size planner--I wonder if she's trying to tell me something? Mmmm

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  4. I haven't actually lost mine, but I constantly forget where I lay it down in the house or even here in the office. The bad part of that is that we had the land line turned off (after 40 years!) and I can no longer call it to find it. If Duane's not home to call me on his phone, I've been known to approach my wits' end in the search. I don't use mine to quite the extent you do, but it's enough. It's enough.

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  5. I'm probably the only person left in the world who doesn't have a smart phone, just a little old flip phone. So I don't get too sentimental about it. But one of these days I'll get with the program and get a smart phone. And then I can lose it as often as my husband does. Which is often. Glad you found your lifeline, Margie!

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