Comments on: We Asked an Expert – Is Our Unhealthy Obsession with Smartphones Affecting Our Relationships?

By: Carmen at Oh My Mermaid

Carmen at Oh My Mermaid — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 19:07:57 +0000

This is so beautifully written and expressed with research and analysis – I love it! I think it’s hard to deny that smart devices like phones, tablets, and laptops – whatever we personally use most – affect our relationships because we mediate greater and greater portions of our lives through these devices. We consider how “sharable” or “Instagrammable” aspects of our lives are, sometimes before considering the reality separate from that digital mediation. It’s how we represent ourselves to each other, and how we validate ourselves. Healthy? That’s debatable – but I think awareness goes a long way to creating responsible use.

By: Carol Bruess

Carol Bruess — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 15:55:12 +0000

In reply to Jenny Holte. Jenny, ah so true! (But/and: I find that reading any Wit & Delight post is worth the delightful distraction #wink.) Thanks for your comment. It's lovely to hear from YOU. (insert heart emoji)

By: Jenny Holte

Jenny Holte — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 17:39:19 +0000

I’m definitely addicted and distracted. Like reading this great article right now, when it was not on the list of things I needed to take care of, but it is lovely to hear from you Carol.

By: Carol Bruess

Carol Bruess — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 15:09:14 +0000

In reply to M.

M – I’m 1000% impressed!! And your comment about your mind feeling free and clear? We’ve got science to tell you why, indeed, being cell-free is great for a focussed, uncluttered brain too. Keep on being your productive, less anxious self! My prediction (I’m an optimist) is the rest of us will catch up (some day) as we reduce (some how) our all-day/every-minute relationship with our little digital friends.

By: Carol Bruess

Carol Bruess — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 15:04:07 +0000

In reply to Michaela. Thanks for your comments, Michaela! Sounds like you have a very healthy balance in your life, something for which more of us strive ... and perhaps more of us can achieve if we "un-drained" ourselves from all the distractions.

By: gtunes

gtunes — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 09:49:53 +0000

gtunes

By: M

Sun, 22 Apr 2018 05:18:24 +0000

I’ve been cell-free for almost 2 years now, and I absolutely LOVE it. I’ve read 25 books a year, and when I’m out I’m not tempted to zone out and look at it, and the anxiety that used to follow me is no longer there. I think my friends/family are starting to balk and feel inconvenienced by their inability to reach me right away, but no one has said anything so far. I know I can’t remain cell-free forever; it’s irresponsible not to have one when I’m driving (I’m in Socal – so driving consumes my life), and I often think about what I’d do if I was in an accident, or if there is an emergency. Should I just get a flip phone? My life has become 1,000% better without one – my mind feels free and clear and at the end of the day, I feel more productive and less anxious.

By: Michaela

Michaela — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 21:45:30 +0000

I’m not going to lie – this obsession with smartphones and social media seems to have sailed over my head. I got my first smartphone last year and it’s a cheap model (small) model that I don’t really feel any necessity to upgrade. Maybe if it breaks. Maybe. I’m not even sure I’ll miss it.

And I wonder if this is a run-off of my introvert nature – I don’t want to spend my precious time being drained by other people in person, why would I do that to myself on the internet too?

I get (maybe) three text messages a day, which usually sit and wait at least 20 minutes each since I’m actually busy at work and don’t like distractions. I might scroll through Instagram on the bus ride home from work, but that’s mostly to dissuade any creepy dudes from trying to strike up a conversation.

I do blog a lot, but writing is my outlet and I’m definitely not doing it for the “likes” or for approval of a particular market audience. I guess….I just don’t get it.