How Addicted Are You?

The universe is a funny place. I sometimes find myself getting tips and signals about the strangest things. Most recently, this happened to me last Sunday morning when I came across an article about “Divorce.” No, not that kind of divorce… It was about how technology, specifically so called “smart phones” interfere in our day to day lives and relationships. The article can be found here.

In a nutshell, the author is agreeing with a “husband, pastor, author, and blogger” named Jarrid Wilson who wants to divorce his iPhone 5. He is not looking to go back to 1980. He just wants more of a trial separation from his phone from time to time to connect with his wife and his life. I won’t paraphrase the article – but if you find that you, your kids, your other loved ones or even your co-workers are too addicted to their smart phones, you will enjoy the article and find it thought provoking.

For me, the article resonated because most people in my life seem to spend too much time on their phones. My husband and I have discussed this topic more than a few times, as we (yes him too!) realize that sometimes even checking one thing out on our phones leads us down a rabbit hole that stretches out for 20 minutes. Specifically, for me, I recently noticed that I have taken to checking the time on my phone since I do not wear a watch. But when I do, invariably a message or email will have come in that causes me to go right down that rabbit hole! So, over the last couple of weeks, I have started to wear my watch again to try to address this excuse to look at my phone. Isn’t it fascinating how quickly phones that did not exist even ten years ago are now such a big (and consuming) part of our daily lives?

Is your smart phone the first thing you look at in the morning? Probably because your alarm is on it… But do you then start checking out your email, Facebook, etc.? Instead you could be rolling over and getting cozy with you partner, or creating a visual image of how you see your day unfolding, meditating or getting up and exercising. Have you ever thought about how much time you waste daily on your “smart phone”?

I am proposing that we reign in this addiction. Notice your patterns and see where you use your phone as a crutch or to procrastinate. Turn off all the sounds except for the ringer (turning it back into a simple phone from the beeping, buzzing monster it has become!). That way, every time a text or email comes through you won’t be disturbed. Put your phone out of reach after a certain time at night.

Awareness is really the best place to start. As we nurture ourselves and our lives, I know that we will all benefit from more connection, more intimacy, and more conversation.

Over the next few weeks I challenge you to be more conscious of your smart phone behavior. Notice the “void” and how tempting it is to pick up that phone. And remember to hug more, kiss more, connect more, talk more, etc. Let’s all commit to living our lives instead of reading about, or getting hooked into, someone else’s.

I’m in, are you?

To learn more about Deborah and how she can help you, please visit http://deborahshimer.com