How many times do you think you check your phone during the day? Have you ever tried tallying every time you do? I haven't. There's really no need to do this because my guess would be something like 150 times and my reality wouldn't be that far off. I check my phone religiously like it's a habit. Especially when I'm bored or waiting or curious. Or trying to make the time pass quicker.
I'll check my email, Facebook, Instagram, and play Words with Friends. I also text. Being able to check in on social media gives me a release from my tedious day and from a rigorous schedule on busy days. Checking my phone gives me a minute to forget that I have to be at school when I want to be home and to escape the people with whom I live when I am at home.
So, yes. I use my phone as an escape. But I also use it to keep up, because I'm nosey. I use it to entertain myself and to make grocery lists. The more apps I find that are useful to my everyday life and my sanity, the more I use my phone. I use my alarm because I forget everything all the time so, on some days, I might have three or four alarms set. I enjoy setting different tunes for my alarms too. For example, when my alarm goes off on the days I have duty or meeings, it's Chopin's funeral durge. Ha! I use a note taking app to keep notes of ideas I have for anything and everything. I use an app that tells me when to run and when to walk when I workout using interval training. I use our town's police app and my favorite local news station app. The last app I downloaded was CuriostityStream and I love it! Though I have been known to watch one of their videos when I should be doing something else. Same with TedTalks. And Spotify! I will use it to fall asleep at night and to play classical music in the lab during testing. The kids love it! They say it relaxes them and keeps them focused. I even use an app that keeps me updated on the phases of the moon.
I love that I am able to keep in touch with the lovely who lives in TN and with dear friends who live too far away. I love that I can keep up with family and hear all their news- good and bad. I check it during the day for texts from friends and family but also from teachers at school who need tech help. I love that I can text instead of talk because I truly hate talking on the phone most of the time. Which is why I don't check my voicemail. Nor do I answer calls from unknown numbers.
Now that I think about it, maybe that number should change to 250.
So, how often do y'all check your phones?
When I was no longer inspecting for my career company, I ditched my cell phone and never looked back. I also never answer my home phone when the caller is unknown. I have the land line wired in two rooms and can not even hear it ring in the rest of the house. I've never said I was normal.
ReplyDeleteIf I didn't have kids, I would never answer a phone. Ever. I envy you your freedom!
DeleteI check my phone a lot too. It's just a habit. Although I read recently that you should wait an hour after you wake up to look at your phone. It's supposed to start your day a little less stressful. I tried it today, matter of fact. I lasted about five minutes.
ReplyDeleteI have a little morning banter with a close friend and it's the best part of my day. I couldn't do it without text messaging. The FB checking is definitely a habit for me too.
DeleteI took FB off my phone because it used so much juice, but I kept FB messenger. I don't check mine that often since I sit at my computer all day long. What I do is hop in and out of FB, mail, instagram, etc. while I'm working. Thankfully it's not a big deal as long as my work gets done. I'm on lunch break right now....
ReplyDeleteHahaha! I use my phone at work because school is weird about checking Facebook. Imagine that. LOL
DeleteWay more than I care to admit.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya!
DeleteI remember when I used to keep my cell phone in the car - I never even used to bring it in the house! Now, it's too easy... there are so many useful apps, it's hard NOT to glance at it all freaking day long.
ReplyDeleteI love my apps too. Some of them are quite useful, I agree. Like Words with Friends. LOL
DeleteWell, I'm not even on fb, but i still check my phone too often for many of the same reasons you do. I love texting and getting texts from my friends and kids and checking blogs as i am right now while sitting in the parking lot waiting for you know who! Lol Fun post!
ReplyDeleteIt also comes in handy during two hour long professional development meetings. Not that I would know that personally. LOL Thanks!
DeleteIf you were to ask my daughter she would say I don't check it enough, my dad is often complaining that mum is always playing with her phone
ReplyDeleteMy Dad looks at his way more than my step-mom. Everyone in my family checks theirs often. We're habitual users. LOL
DeleteI check my phone all the time. I am starting a new job tomorrow that does not allow cell phone usage at all at work, so I am sure I will go through withdrawal.
ReplyDeleteOh, shoot. I'm not sure I could do that. I have to be available to my family at all times. Well, I'm sure I don't HAVE to be, but I sure like to be. Good luck!
DeleteALL THE TIME!! But I don't use it all the time. I'm weird I know!!
ReplyDeleteYes, but in a really good way. :)
DeleteHi there - I've come across from Gails blog ...
ReplyDeletePhones, what did we do without them!
Most of us are guilty of looking at them from the time we open our eyes and regular slots during the day... but perhaps we should all make the effort to go at least one day without doing this! Would we be able to? I think the older generation may find this easier than the younger generation, what do you think ...
All the best Jan
I agree to a point- depending on whether or not the checking stems from addiction, you know? Or maybe habits- which are not easy to break either. I do try to teach the kids at school, as part of digital citizenship, to unplug which makes me unplug because I don't want to lie to them when they ask me whether or not I do. Sometimes, quite often lately, I keep thinking that I'd like to ditch all of my devices. But that hasn't happened. :) Thanks for popping over!
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