iPhone or no iPhone? A Decision To Be Free
I miss having an iphone.
Sometimes I miss it a lot.
I got rid of mine a few months ago when I was in the process of selling things I didn’t “need.” I also figured since I was spending a month in New Zealand I didn’t really need an iphone that I couldn’t use much anyway. So I sold it and then just used my computer for things like scheduling meetups via Twitter. It worked out well for the experience and I figured when I came back I would buy a new one.
Now I want a new iphone or other smartphone, but I’m not really sure I should buy one.
I remember how much I used the iPhone when I had it (ALL THE TIME). It was convenient and I never had to think. If someone asked me a question I could Google the answer in a few seconds. Instead of forcing myself to remember things I could just store them on the phone. There was no reason to use my brain because the iPhone was available to me at all times. There was also the constant urge to be online reading/updating/playing/learning things.
Since getting rid of my iPhone I’ve been a lot better about ignoring my phone. I don’t have constant internet access so I’m not constantly checking my email or updating Twitter of my Facebook status. I’m not obsessed with what’s going on online when I should be focused on what I’m doing in the real world. I feel like I’m free from the need to check everything. I feel like I’m much better at being in the room and with people. I’ve rid myself of the extremely bad habit of playing with my iPhone when I’m with people and I think I’m better for it.
Colin wrote about a similar dependency and his freedom once the iPhone was gone. It seems that most of us with smartphones give them more attention than they deserve. Or maybe it’s just a few of us. Maybe some of you can own a smartphone and not use it excessively.
I’m not sure if I’m ready to get another phone or not. I’m attending a blogging conference this weekend and desperately wanted to get a new iPhone beforehand. But I know that would only make me more likely to be on Twitter the whole time instead of actively meeting and speaking with the people I’m going to meet (which is the only reason I’m going). The iPhone would just be a distraction from what I really should be doing.
I miss having a smartphone, but I don’t think I need to get a new one yet. I think first I need to spend some more time forcing myself to be social in reality, not just in social media. I think I need to be free a little while longer.
[...] Mary Thompson: I remember how much I used the iPhone when I had it (ALL THE TIME). It was convenient and I never had to think. If someone asked me a question I could Google the answer in a few seconds. Instead of forcing myself to remember things I could just store them on the phone. There was no reason to use my brain because the iPhone was available to me at all times. There was also the constant urge to be online reading/updating/playing/learning things. [...]
I’ve been struggling with this too, Mary dear! I’m up for an upgrade next month, and my bf keeps telling me I should get an iPhone. He got one a few months ago, which I was happy for him to get because he’s lived his life never really having nice things of his own so I thought it was ok. BUT it’s definitely known that people with iPhones are ALWAYS on their iPhones – to the point where sometimes it’s just rude. I was at lunch with three other people once and half the time they were all on their iPhones! So I decided I’d never get one because I didn’t want to be so rude to other people…
And ALSO, when my bf lets me use his, it was fun at first, and then somehow I got BORED with it… I don’t know how that happened, seriously.
But with the upgrade coming soon and how much I love AT&T I’m still thinking about it – I haven’t written it off just yet, mainly because it’s so convenient. One of my favorite things to use it for would be its GPS because I get lost all the time and could definitely, definitely use it… So I’m still weighing my options.
Haha sorry for the long comment! I seriously should just email you already! ;) Love you, Mary dear!
I would suggest not to go for iPhone again. :-)
I got rid of all such things long back. Life is really beautiful without them. :-)
Regards,
Suhasini
http://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com
A unique travel blog
Wow, this hits home.
In Cambodia, my ipod touch got soaking wet. I miss it dearly but then I`m like… Do I need it? Sure I can’t update twitter at a restaurant, check stocks or do the like but do I need too?
I’m also leaning to iphone just scared on these travels it will get damaged. If you do go smartphone and had an iphone, I’d say go iphone as anything else will let you down.
That said, if it’s mainly internet you seek… You can have a cheap phone and an ipod touch… I did that and it worked. I can now buy another ipod and still have only spent HALF what an iphone would have cost.
Decisions decisions :D
@JoJo – GPS is one thing I miss. I used that a lot when I was in a random city and didn’t know where to go. I honestly can’t decide if I should go back to owning one for things like that. I know that I don’t want to be chained to it again to the point that I’m rude in social situations. I’m still debating.
@Rob – It is mostly internet that I want. I could keep my current phone and get an ipod touch. That’s actually a pretty good idea. Now I’ve got something else to consider!