Well, I’ll not put my efforts in describing the intensity of addiction people have with their mobile phones nowadays (and that includes me). A few weeks ago, I read the news of a baby dying with his encounter with a washing machine, while his mom was busy on her phone. Sounds macabre? Well such situations are uncalled for. While waiting for the metro to arrive, I noticed that every single person standing around me was busy into their phones. I bet that even if a thief would have come and asked for their purse, they would have given it by themselves without a second thought! Every age group is affected by the disease called phone.
When I paid attention to my frequency of using the mobile phone, I realized that I was practically wasting hours on it. According to data from Moment, a time-tracking app with nearly 5 million users, the average person spends four hours a day interacting with his/her phone.
When you notice that you’re in the midst of a phone spiral, ask yourself: What’s your posture like? How’s your breathing? Is whatever you’re doing on your phone leading you anywhere? Do you actually want to use it right now?
The thing is, as a gadget, the phone in your hand should not enslave or cripple your mind. The opposite should be looked up to. The irony is that when telephones were attached with wires, man was free. Now when the phone has become free, man has become attached. Yes, life would be difficult without phones, but it is the need of the hour to redefine our relationship with phones.
- Reframe the way you think about it: Most of us think that mobile phones are status symbols, cool, trending, a pleasure gaining or time pass machine. After a tiresome, boring day at office, you think that phone lets you relax. When you don’t give enough time to your phone, anxiety surrounds you. All you need to feed now onwards is “spending more time on mh life”, instead of “spending less time with my phone”.
- Ask yourself what you want to pay attention to: The people who design apps desperately want your attention. Have you ever wondered, why so many social media apps are free? It’s because the advertisers are the customers, and it is your attention that is being sold. Now ask yourself, what’s your priority in life and where do you want to direct your attention.
- Know that you’re a master and not a slave: A master is one who can have complete control over his instincts, while a slave is controlled by his instincts. If you can understand this difference, you’ll not waste time on social media, despite having apt data services and all the apps on your phone. Remember you have to use your phone and not get used to it or by it.
- Create speed bumps: It’s amazing how we often pick up our phones “just to check”, then look up 20 minutes later wondering how time flies. One solution is to create “speed bumps” which are some obstacles that you’ll create yourself that’ll feed your subconscious mind and ensure that whenever you pick up your phone, it is a result of a conscious choice. A good example is setting a lockscreen that reminds you.
- Practice trial separations: Leave your phone at home while going on a walk. Stare out of the window while commuting, instead of using your phone. Pay attention to your craving. What does it feel like in your body? Keep checking and observing it. Slowly, it’ll fade away by its own.
- Use technology to protect yourself from technology: Time cracking apps like Moment, Quality, OFFTIME, etc measure how much time you’re spending on your screen. Results might surprise you!
- Use the sight of other people on their phones as a reminder: Believe it or not, just like yawns, the habit of using phone is contagious too. Whenever you see someone else using their phones, you can use it as a cue to take a deep breath and relax, and know that you’re a master!
- Get existential about it: If all else fails, consider your own mortality. How many people you think are going to grieve on their deathbeds that if only they’d spent some more time using their phones? Keep on asking this question again and again to yourself. This is your life. How much of it do you want to spend on your phone?
This post is really helpful for a phone addict like me😥 Thanks for that! Will try to practice some of the ways highlighted in your post
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Thanks for reading. Hope you cut down the addiction soon
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Yes, that’s a good idea 👍
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Lovely post and well defined!! Highlighted beautiful points of addiction!!
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Oh thank you so much for reading 😊
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Wow Himanshi.. True words
Actually this is happening nowadays with everyone around!
Thanks for the info.. It’s required👍
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Yes, that’s what compelled me to come up with the post. Thanks for reading 😊
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👏👏👏Glad to see you and many others speaking on this Himanshi. I only hope we take and hold on to our own advises.
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Oh yes absolutely! Thanks for reading
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True .And I see parents allowing even 4 year olds to play games on the cell .Some feel proud of it and think their child is intelligent . Babyhood lost .
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You raised a very good point. Herein comes a thing that when you yourself are an addict, then how can you stop the child.
Thanks a lot for reading and sharing your thoughts 😊
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And I sleeping with it 😅
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Put it on aeroplane mode before sleeping
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Love this line, “Now that the phone is free, man has become attached.”
Phone comes in handy when you’re waiting in line anywhere. I used to carry a book with me, but my phone is smaller and has Kindle on it 🙂
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Ah I could sense the sarcasm and it’s depth. Sadly that’s the matter of fact.
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts 😊
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I agree. Nice post. Great suggestions. “When telephones were attached with wires, man was free. Now when the phone has become free, man has become attached.” – genius sentence. Compared to people around me I use very little of my phone and I plan to keep it that way.
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Thanks a lot for appreciating. It’s good to know that you aren’t an addict. It saves a lot of time.
Thanks a lot for reading 😊
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I’m always on my phone…. Doing one thing or another. But I still learn to leave it when necessary… Right now, I’ve been catching up on my blog.
We tend to keep a bad posture when using our phones… I noticed that and I try to change that.
Keep it up 👌
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Oh yes, the habit can be quit any time. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts 😊
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Much needed post xD 💯😂
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Thanks for reading 😊😊
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I’m so glad you wrote this article, can’t wait to share it with phone addict friends 😀
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Thanks a lot. I’ll be great if you share it with as many people 😊
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So glad even more people think like me. Fab piece of writing! I had written a piece on how phone is harming our relationships…
https://aguidetorelationships.wordpress.com/2018/01/06/heres-how-your-phone-is-harming-your-marriage/
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Thanks for reading and for sharing the link of your article.
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I’ve always been aware about my phone addiction, but you’ve worded it succinctly and clearly, and I’ll try to be even more mindful about phone use.
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Thanks a lot for reading. I hope you overcome your addiction 😊
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This is so true! I’m not a phone addict, for I have my limitations and most days I restrict myself from using my phone. And I’m not on much social media Apps as well. So thank God for that! God bless you! Thank you for this truthful post!
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Thanks a lot for reading.
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You’re welcome!
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Great post. Well written with great quotes and insights. I’m emailing it to my two sons. I only use my cell phone for text messaging. I need it for work as well. But I never turn on the wifi.
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Thanks a lot for reading and appreciating.😊
I hope your sons don’t end up cursing me😁
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“Now that the phone is free, man has become attached.” needs to be trademarked. Pronto. I’m passing this article on to my daughters! XOX
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I take it as one of the best compliments! It really made my day😊
I hope your daughters don’t get a thing against me (laughs 😁😂)
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Reblogged this on write- share-communicate.
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Thanks a lot for the support 😊
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Himanshi. A slight slip from my end. Shall reblog so it appears in the evening. Sorry.
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Ah no problem 😊
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Worth post …👍👍
Wrote actual truth that every age group is facing…
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Thanks a lot 😊
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I use the app moment and hate how much time I spend without realising. These ideas are great!
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It is happening with almost everyone. Hope the tips help you!
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Reblogged this on Random Repeat.
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Thanks a lot for the extended support.
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Great Article 🙂
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Thanks a lot😊
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Reblogged this on Phonepata.
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Thanks a lot for the support😊
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People will find it useful when they read this article. Being handcuffed with phone make one’s productivity dropped and the reality of life is slowly being replaced into the virtual one. Sometimes one needs to remind themselves that the phone should not replace life itself. Great article!
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Thanks a lot for reading and supporting. And you pointed it out right that we’re allowing phones to replace life itself!
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