Dear Diary,
Just before I start packing numerous cords, chargers and adapters for my holiday, I decided to finish a post I’ve started a while ago.
It is all about our new-age addiction – cell phones/ gadgets/ etc
We are addicted and we know it. We freely admit to this addiction. We experience withdrawal symptoms every time we cannot immediately find our gadgets. We ‘open Americas’ every time we leave our gadgets home or at the office and ‘discover’ afresh how wonderful word is, really.
So here it is
You know you are addicted, don’t you? If you do not. If you are still in denial, please check yourself
- A need to use the cell phone more and more often in order to achieve the same desired effect.
- Persistent failed attempts to use cell phone less often.
- Preoccupation with smartphone use.
- Turns to cell phone when experiencing unwanted feelings such as anxiety or depression.
- Excessive use characterized by loss of sense of time.
- Has put a relationship or job at risk due to excessive cell phone use.
- Tolerance.
- Need for newest cell phone, more applications, or increased use.
- Withdrawal, when cell phone or network is unreachable.
- Anger.
- Tension.
- Depression.
- Irritability.
- Restlessness.
This addiction does not know borders, difference in culture, languages, age or religion. This addiction is global and unifying. You can’t go any scarier, can you?
New addiction Down Under
Remember the naive and wonderful times, when we were scared with Aliens and Monsters. Now, we are scared with different things. We are frustrated, annoyed, horrified and angered at and with cords. It is either they are missing, broken or tangled… What a horror.
A solution? Well, go find your own. I’ve been using ‘no internet’ or ‘leave at home’ or ‘turn it of when at home’ treatments.
These cheeky signs started popping up everywhere in various versions. Nice, ha.
My solution to the addiction is to go somewhere where there is no internet, where there is no cell connectivity. Hurray, I can still find places like that.
Also, I developed a habit of turning my mobile off when I come home. My family is at home with me. I do not need to worry about anyone or anything else. I am home. I am connected in reality.
I wish you health and happiness. I am off on my journey internet-less and cell-less. I have my notebook and my favourite pen with me. Stories never stop, do they.
I guess I am about to have one of the nicest ‘offline sabbatical’ ever
Svetlana Tishchenko 