Few weeks ago, I watched an interesting show on National Geographic Channel about human behavior. Specifically, about the addiction over cell phones. The show showed us how people are so attached to their phones they cannot put their hands off their phones even for like five minutes. Even when they were having dinner with friends or families, each one of them was busy with their own phones. They, well, we, are more connected to people who are miles away from us, or even strangers who know little about us than to people who actually were staying in the same room with us and know us very well.
It is unavoidable for us, being part of modern world, to develop that kind of behavior. But I really think we should be able not to let the behavior control us. We should limit which one is important. I am able to say this because I was part of the behavior and is still trying hard to control it. I also took this Smartphone Abuse Test online and I was more convinced that I was addicted to my phone. I had to do something about it. Addiction is never a good thing, right? Since that, I have been made several changes to make it right. I am not a mobile-phone free, and I don't think I will be, but I spend much less time with my phone then I used to.
I cut down my phone applications. The more apps you have on your phones, the more time you spend with it. This is the ultimate reason why we can't live without our phones. I used to have four instant messaging apps, four social network apps, two photo/video editor apps and several game apps. I could sit all day to chat, check/post updates, edit photos/videos and play games. I wouldn't even realized how much time had passed, and that is the main point of having bunch of apps on your phone. Cutting down your phone applications means you force yourself to spend less time with cyber world and more time with your real world. Now, I only have one messaging apps and that's all.
I cut down my social network accounts. I used to have seven active social media accounts (this blogspot account included) because, why not? A new social media portal is invented in daily basis (this is an exaggeration but you get the point) and I have always curious about it, therefore I need to sign up first to know how it works and whether or not I am interested, most cases. As the time passed by, the excitement wore down and I became less and less interested to those kind of things. Now, I have deleted four out of seven accounts I own because I no longer need them or got bored.
Yes, I still have three social media accounts but you can say that I'm temporarily leaving the social media madness. Since I have uninstalled all social media apps from my phone, I need to turn on my computer if want to log in to one of it. The fact is, even when my computer is on, I rarely log in to any of it (well, except now). I haven't tweeted in two months, no tumblr-ing in the past four months and my last blog was four/five months ago.
Of course, social media is not the only thing that keeping me attached to my phone. There is also instant messaging. These days, I have been trying to stay low on my messaging habit. I turn off notifications on my Line's group and sometimes check it only when I'm alone. In that way, when people really need to reach me immediately, they will contact me on my personal chat room or even call. These are my personal achievements and I am proud of it.
Technologies are made to make our life easier. It brings people who are separated by space closer. It is also the faster way of communication. But everything has its own side effect. Too much of everything is not good for you. Be smart. Real life awaits you.
