Are You A Mobile Addicted?

I find it intriguing that there is a common thread of antipathy most families share for one omnipresent factor. Described as intrusive, pushy, inconsiderate, yet held precious.

Don’t let the cell phone come between you and your spouse. An interesting article lamented the spawning of a neglected generation of ‘Blackberry Orphans’. Another study indicated that cell phones could cause significant psychological distress and lower family satisfaction.
Mobile addiction
Given our global connectivity through different time zones, there are many people who sleep with their handhelds and take calls through the night. The wife of one such person claims she is a ‘Black-Berry Widow’. Another couple I know spends more time emailing each other on their hand-held than talking face to face. And that too, while they both are very much in the house and probably in the same room! There are many furtive thumb-typers I know who go for vacations with their families to exotic places but return as drained out as before.

I remember another couple while discussing a particularly sensitive issue during a therapy session suddenly clamped up and I soon realized that they were furiously texting each other. It was only when I confiscated the pesky contraptions that they finally managed to make a genuine emotional connection after many years.

Let me say here that I am not judging anybody as I admit to being an ex-addict myself. Sensing my children’s distress at my endless calls I decided to keep the perpetrator silent when I was with them. But old habits die hard and soon I took to surreptitiously taking calls in the bathroom.

Another confession: I love these toys myself. I think iPhones, Palms, Treos, iPAQs and Blackberry’s are amazing and can make our lives so much more convenient, organized and yes, thrilling. But as long as we do not let them overwhelm, overload and overtake our relationships and us they are fine.

Uncluttered family time
Spend family time without your mind on the phone
Draw clear boundaries around family time; keep Mobile addictedit out of bounds for the cell phone. Switch it off, keep it on silent, put on the voice mail, or push it under the mattress. Spend fun time with your children without three quarters of your mind on the buzzing phone. There might be a few moans and groans from your colleagues, boss or friends, but once you specify the reason for your non-availability they will understand. In fact, you might inspire them to do the same. And set an example for your little ones to manage technology responsibly.

Respond and not react
Work out a system for managing your calls, emails and messages. Keep slots for responding to them rather than reacting to them as and when they come. Let’s admit that at times we function on an auto-pilot rather being deliberate and organized about it. You will be amazed at the wonders it will do to your mind, body and soul.

Stay committed there will be cravings and yearnings but like any other de-addiction program you would have to be persistent and determined.
So go on, tame these little rascals and show them who the boss is.