A couple of close friends would time and again berate me over my obsession with my mobile phone. Always in the palm of my hand, I had to answer calls immediately, even on holidays, even from unknown callers. Had to reply asap to each and every sms, which was never in brief.
Then, I happened to read this article in the Reader's Digest - June 08 issue. It quotes a saying by Edward Hallowell, MD, author of CrazyBusy “Technology is allowing us to do things we’ve never been able to do, and it’s positively incredible. The downsides are that it’s addictive and you can become tied to it in ways that are exhausting.
Well, if the article and my friends' advice did not change me, the Mumbai monsoons surely did. I was determined to continue with my daily routine of a 40 minutes walk, irrespective of rain, thunder or lightning. The solution was a full length raincoat and suitable footwear to brave the weather. But what about my mobile - no one has yet invented a 'waterproof suit for mobiles’. So how would I manage my walks without the risk of it getting drenched?
Well, at first I thought I would protect it in the shelter of the cute raincoat pockets, soon realising that water did seep in there. Neither did my jogging tracks have any pockets.
Well, im sure, if I racked my brains for a while longer, I would have come upon a perfect solution, but suddenly I thought to myself, why not just leave the mobile at home, instead of going to all this trouble. It's just 40 mins and though I consider myself quite an important person, im realistic enough to know that this earth would not stop spinning around its axis if I was not contactable for 40 mins.
So, that's what I did. I took the first baby step.
It was awkward on the first day, especially for the palm of my right hand. It felt empty without it's soul mate, so I introduced it to a new partner - my house keys. But apart from my palm feeling a pang of separation anxiety, I never really missed the mobile or missed out on anything. It was infact a great feeling. Being one with nature, taking brisk walks in the rain, jumping into little puddles, yes, I still do that. And knowing that no phone call or sms or alarm or reminder was going to interrupt me. I was completely to myself.
Well, I did always have a couple of missed calls awaiting me when I returned home, but nothing urgent or in the arena of a 'life or death' situation. I think the most important missed call I’ve gotten so far was from mom, informing me that a close friend was admitted in hospital. But that was it. Sad right, you think you are so important and so indispensable and so need to be accessible to the entire world at all times, and it’s your mobile that brings you back to ground reality.
I’m glad I marooned myself from my mobile, even just for a little time each day. Will continue doing so even after the monsoon season ends.
I actually felt more mobile and free, without the mobile.
Wanna know how it feels - well, you know what to do....
3 comments:
I agree completely......I've always felt that a mobile wasn't really a necessity.....recently bought one,(almost years after everyone else I know) but you know what, despite possessing a mobile, I have consciously not allowed myself to get too attached to it, and I've discovered that it's not really that difficult to stay detatched.It's just a matter of deciding for yourself.
I agree completely with the above...
All the best Rochu for your fight with the fone...hehe
I do that all the time. Leave the damn thing at home when Im out on jogs, or in the gym or playing football.
Maybe its easier for someone like me who KNOWS that the only messages awaiting him are probably those silly forwards or some annoying advertising message.
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