Cell phone battle

Should I leave my cell phone sandwiched between couch pillows at home all day or do I take it with me, checking it ever five minutes, continuously distracting myself from being 100% present?

This is a dilemma that many of us are faced with. How to balance the use of gadgets and ways to communicate via Internet versus being free of these dependencies and perhaps feeling isolated from our entire network of friends and family. How did we get to this place? Where are we headed?

Not that long ago I remember an abundance of magazine articles and etiquette books preaching about the proper etiquette for cell phone use. Ha! Remember when it was socially unacceptable to talk on your cell phone in public areas? I remember people glaring at you or pouting and making annoyed sounds as if your phone conversation was so unbelievably disruptive to their shopping experience. It's kind of funny to think about it now. People have conversations on their phones in ANY public space, even in private spaces or small social settings, answering the phone regardless of what situation you're in or who's around.

I support cell phone use and am grateful for the ways that they have transformed our lives. I'm also amazed at what a wide selection of choices we have and am always excited to hear about the next new product! I probably wouldn't make it through the day with out my texts and I love the convenience and efficiency that cell phones can bring to us. Despite these benefits I see a deterioration of Intuitives ( people who grew up with computers and tend to intuitively understand technology as a fluid and every-changing thing) letting their day be dictated and distracted by their cell phone.

Five indicators that you let your cell phone take over your life- just food for thought!:

1. You have your phone in plain sight 24/7 ( OK I am guilty of that!)
2. You post the most random and unappealing photos taken by your phone and put them on Facebook under " Mobile Uploads"... haha
3. You have to charge your phone once a day
4. You text more people than the number of people you have face-to-face conversations with
5. You sleep with your phone


Five ways to re-connect to your day and relieve yourself from your cell phone!:

1. Instead of taking your lunch and deciding to call a friend, invite someone from work to eat with you and call your friend at night ( free minutes anyway!)
2. Set some boundaries around texting and calls e.g. I will not make or answer any calls after 10pm
3. Keep your phone in your bag or briefcase for half of the day; at work you can put it in your drawer (not the best idea for people who are more inclined to check their phones when the obstacle is greater)
4. Turn off your phone when you go to bed or when you take a nap ( only for the adventurous!
5. Find different ways of communicating with friends and family. Send an email, text, call from work, send an IM.


I'm not trying to be a hater....just intend to provoke your thought!


Until the next....
-Twisted Composure


"I don't answer the phone. I get the feeling whenever I do that there will be someone on the other end." ~Fred Couples

"Cell phones are the latest invention in rudeness" ~Terri Guillemets

"I like my new cell phone, my computer works just fine, my calculator is perfect, but Lord, I miss my mind!"