Think You Can Survive a Weekend Without Your Cell Phone?

These days, no one leaves home without their cell phone. Unfortunately, I forgot mine when we attended my daughter’s MBA graduation ceremony this weekend. Do you think you can survive a weekend without your cell phone?

Surprisingly, I didn’t miss my phone as much as I thought I would. Not having it made me focus more and forced me to be present. I heard every word of the College President’s introduction speech. Dr. John Petillo likened the students’ next journey to the song, The Sounds of Silence, by Simon and Garfunkel. It was quite interesting.

In addition, I was mesmerized by the commencement speaker, Chief Justice Richard A. Robinson. He encouraged students to practice empathy and get along with others regardless of political affiliation. His speech was peppered with practical advice pertinent to all graduates.

Weekend Without Your Cell

Americans check their phones 144 times and use them for 4 hours and 25 minutes daily. 47% of Americans feel a sense of panic or anxiety if their battery is at 20% or less. Based on these statistics (found at https://www.reviews.org/mobile/cell-phone-addiction/ ), Americans seem addicted to their phones. They are helpful little gadgets when you consider they allow you to do your banking, check email, buy retail, take pictures, text, and phone friends. Cell phones have become resources for almost any data you can imagine. They really are pretty remarkable.

Do you own a landline phone? Remember when we had separate telephone answering machines? We were way cool back then, right? Technology has come so far. One of my first jobs out of college was selling cellular phones to after-market car audio dealers. Phones were installed in your vehicle then, and the transceiver took up your entire trunk. The cheapest phone was $3,000, and that excluded installation. It was fascinating to be in the industry and watch the evolution of car phones to portable briefcase phones and handheld phones. Finally, to the mini-computers they are today.

Even though I was right in the middle of the technology advancements, I never imagined a cell phone to become the mandatory accessory it is today. Or become such a relied-on tool in our daily life. The one thing I find particularly scary about them is that they limit social interactions. Based on the survey above, 69% of us admit to texting with someone in the same room. That’s insane!

Cell Phones Are Good and Bad

Overall, I think we all agree cell phones play a significant role in our daily lives. In general, that is a good thing. However, after experiencing life without my cell last weekend, I think we should strike a balance.

I found an article on the Good Therapy website from 2013 https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/topic-expert-roundup-are-social-media-bad-for-mental-health-0709135 that discusses the downside of new technology. Joyce Henley said: “It is ironic that with so much new technology for communication that, some people are even more lonely. Although texting, email, Facebook, Twitter, etc., are convenient and give us a lot of info and benefits, they are also less intimate. At least with the phone, we can hear the caring, love, or empathy in a friend’s voice.” 

Interestingly, this concern was ten years ago and is still valid today. Texting cannot substitute for conversation. There is no tone or inflection in texting. Often messages are misinterpreted, especially if you attempt to be funny or sarcastic. And texting is not always quick. Have you ever gotten caught up in a long text conversation that could have been handled in two minutes face-to-face? I know I have.

Skip the Cell Once in Awhile

Do I think people should cut back on their cell usage? Not necessarily. You should use your phone in a way that suits you best. But I do think you should explore direct communication once in a while. It’s good to hear your friend’s voice. The familiarity of it will warm your heart. And, putting the phone down does make you more present. You will see and hear things you would have missed if you were scrolling.

Have you ever forgotten your cell phone? How did you handle it? Like me, were you pleasantly surprised by the outcome? Let me know in a comment below.