Can this Montanan Survive Without his Smartphone?

3:40 a.m.  OMG!

It's finally happened.  I forgot my smartphone.

Last night, not feeling well and the battery at 15%, I plugged it in to charge and went to bed.

I have arrived at work, and it's still on the charger.

For a moment, I panicked.  Then I thought about running back home to fetch it.  But then I would be running late getting everything ready for a morning radio show.

Nah, I'll go without the phone.

Murphy's Law says I will desperately need that thing.

5:30 a.m.  Slight twinge of concern, maybe withdrawal

So far, so good, haven't needed the phone.  I'm playing on the odds.  There had been mornings where I hadn't touched it for hours.  Here's hoping this will be the same.

I remember one night at my trivia game when a gentleman went home, got his smartphone and returned.  I thought "You can't go without that thing for a couple hours?"

Now I'm asking myself the same question.

8:00 a.m.  Coworkers Chime in

I messaged the staff on the company desktop computer that I am surviving without the phone, and asked if they could.  They responded:

Josh: I can survive. But am I effective at doing my job without it? No.

Jaci: It would depend on the rest of society for me. If smartphones were eradicated, I would be fine. Being the only person out of touch would be hard for me. If we’re talking just one day? That would be fine, too.

Aaron: That's why I go camping so I CAN forget my smartphone.

Michael: It's a great feeling when there is no cell service.

9:50 a.m.

Rain really coming down hard.  Should text brother Bob to see if it's raining on the ranch.  ...oh, right.

12:00 p.m.

Working on Memorial Day shows.  Haven't given the smartphone a thought.

3:20 p.m.

After over 12 hours awake and nearly 11 hours working, came home to find it precisely where I had left it.  That device can wait a little longer for me; I'm lying down.

4:15 p.m.

After a short nap on my part, woke the smartphone to see what I missed.  Cousin sent a picture of an adorable little kitten they rescued.  The couple building the Black Hearts Lodge in Rosebud sent a thank-you text for my article; "We saw it posted and have been on cloud nine since."  Buddy of mine is moving...again.

That's it.  Was away from it about 20 hours and didn't have the shakes or a racing heartbeat.  The irritability is from the long work day.  In the absence some pleasant messages arrived, just like greeting cards in the mail.

I Survived

And so can you.  Please.  Put the smartphones aside and go play with kids.  Hug and kiss your spouse or partner and tell them how grateful you are that they are with you.  Want something to read? How about a book?  Now's a good time for that project you put off for a long time.

Maybe it's fair to say, that smartphone needs you more than you need it.

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