Update: Life Without a Smartphone

Some of you may remember when I decided way back in October that I was going to give up my smartphone.  Well, I went for it, and I thought I would update you on how life is without that amazing little piece of technology in my pocket.  I actually wondered if it was possible for me to go back to the dark ages (like, five years ago) when I didn’t have the internet in my purse at all times.  Could I function in this world of brilliant mini-computers with just a plain old telephone? Would my friends put up with my lack of access to the world of information?

I’m not going to lie.  I missed lots of things about my phone.

At first.

I missed being able to look up phone numbers.  Now I just text my friends and ask them for numbers.  I’m sure they LOVE that.

I missed Google Maps.  I REALLY missed that because I’m directionally challenged.

I missed being able to look up whatever trivia Chad and I happen to be discussing.

But, I also don’t miss a lot of things after giving up my phone.

Suddenly, I don’t miss what Sawyer is trying to say to me.

I don’t miss Emerald’s little smiles and looks while she eats her bottles.

I don’t miss time in the car when I could be talking to Chad, which used to be spent looking at Facebook.

I don’t miss the chances I’ve had recently to play with and talk to my kids while we wait at the doctor’s office.

Now, not having a smartphone has definitely made me a worse texter.  I often don’t see texts for several hours because I don’t have the phone right beside me all the time.  As I told one friend, my phone is no longer an important part of my life.

If you have a smartphone (and you probably do), I’m not at all saying that you are missing out on life.  Chances are, you are much more disciplined that I am.  But, I can honestly tell you that I missed a bunch of opportunities to really be with my kids and my husband.  All because of that fabulous piece of technology, which I loved dearly and which I still sometimes miss having in my possession.  It was certainly the right choice for me at this point in my life.  I feel a real sense of freedom now, and I realized after I had been without my phone for about a week that it had actually been tiring me out, draining me, and just basically making me a less effective mother, wife, and human being.

So, that’s my story.  It can be done!  A Gen X-er can move backwards with technology and survive!  I am pretty pleased with my little old cell phone now–it talks and texts just fine.  When my friends text me links now, I just remind them that I’m the weirdo with no smartphone and assure them that I’ll look it up when I get home.  They usually reply with some expression of annoyance.  But, it’s all in love.  I think.