Hiding From My Phone

If I add a few more cat pictures, this blog could turn into Reddit!

Of necessity this summer, I’ve taken to leaving my phone in the car when I go on adventures with my kids. I don’t know if you know this, but kids are messy, splashy, sunscreen-smeared creatures who leave impossible-to-clean-off smudges on iPhones. If you’re taking your kids to the beach, do yourself a favor and give them one less valuable thing to knock into the water.

A funny thing started happening, though, that I couldn’t quite put my finger on until months had passed. I started realizing that I’m actually a lot happier when my phone is out of reach.

Weird, huh?

It’s not that I dislike my phone. Quite the contrary, actually. I find it handy and convenient when I need it. The Google Maps application has helped me un-lost myself dozens of times since its installation, and I adore having Pandora play me fantastic music while I drive.

Rather, it’s taken me all summer to realize that I’m happier when I’m not so accessible all the time. I really like not having my attention diverted every few minutes by the chime of an incoming email or text. Surprisingly, those can all seem to wait a few hours while I go live my life.

Silencing my phone and only checking it periodically (or, you know, hiding from my phone) has also made the querying process more pleasant. It no longer feels like I’m clinging to my phone, desperate for good news. Instead, I’m giving myself permission to think about other things. I think that’s healthier for everyone all around, don’t you?

Who would have thought, fifteen years ago when I got my first cell phone, that I’d need to set healthy boundaries governing its use?

How about the rest of you? Do any of you feel the need to ditch your phone every once in awhile?