When my mobile phone lost me…

 

On a regular Friday morning, I had just returned from the gym. I was having breakfast and getting ready for office. I got a call from the boss that there is some urgent work and soon I left for office. As I reached half way I realized that I don’t have songs playing under my helmet and soon I realized that I don’t have my phone with me.

The meeting was urgent so I decided to go ahead to the office. The meeting was over and I came to my desk, till then it was normal as I was occupied. I then started searching for the phone as realized that I don’t have it.

 

Some statistics from around the world.

 

 

Following were my observation about myself and I learned a great deal about me –

• I have this habit of checking WhatsApp and Facebook time and again to connect with friends. I used to think that this is my way of saying them that I am always there for them but only DIGITALLY (:P). Hence I started feeling handicapped and started feeling restless.
• I was feeling as if somebody has pumped in adrenalin in me and everything is going very slow and I was able to do everything in so less time.
• As I was not having my phone I finished my work pretty fast and did some work which was planned for the next day. My productivity suddenly increased.
• I actually started conversations with different people. Some conversations were interesting and I realized that all this while I was never paying attention
• I actually spend time with me and got to know what I have missed in the day-to-day life and actually made a to do list for it.
• I started observing nature while driving and people while I was in office. These small things tell a lot about a person and help you to learn and grow.
• I actually completed my long pending diary log and posted it to someone.

A strange sensation shot through me. Instead of jubilation, I felt humiliation. I didn’t like how “owned” I felt by this thing. I thought back to the freeing nature of my adolescence when I wasn’t tethered to anything.

Even a few years ago, technology didn’t have the impact it does today. Back then I had morning chats with family as I would get ready for college. Now everyone’s eyes in the family are constantly glued to their phone.

Much of the population struggles to put down their electronic devices. In fact, studies show that Phone separation anxiety is a real condition. “Measurements showed that the participants were much more anxious while separated from their phones and had higher heart rate and blood pressure.”

Physical activity. Fresh air. Fun conversation. It all sounded more inviting than a strong Wi-Fi signal towards the end of the day and hence I decided to do the same when my loved once are around me.