I read this article on mashable yesterday that got me thinking about something that I already think about a lot--iphone/social media addiction.
I know, I know, it sounds really silly, but probably not as silly to people who have a smartphone. I've gone to brunch with a few blogger friends who admit to the addictive loop of checking emails, twitter feeds, instagram, facebook, etc... So, i know i'm not alone.
In the article it talks about people feeling anxious or jittery when they're not online.
I wouldn't go so far as to put myself in that category, but I would say I feel a pretty annoyed when I know my phone battery is about to die and I won't be able to keep 'up to date' on things until i can get it to a charger.
I just feel like I fill a lot of my 'nothing to do' minutes with an endlessly checking of the online happenings. Some of them matter (I really am so grateful for the friends I've met through these platforms), but some of the things I could definitely live without knowing.
What I'm really afraid of are two things:
1. are those quiet 'nothing to do' moments the ones where i could be receiving creative inspiration (something I feel like i've been lacking in for a while)
and
2. if i'm this engulfed in my phone, what is the next generation going to be like?
frankly, it makes me scared. i don't want them to miss out on life because they're too busy staying up to date online. i don't want to be a hypocrite, so i know i need to make some changes.
i really think that if i wasn't such a big fan of instagram (i may be addicted, but i also have always been addicted to taking pictures of everything--ask my friends that have known me since 3rd grade) i would give up on smartphones and go back to the basics.
Anyone have a (realistic) solution?
Do you feel like you suffer from IUD/Internet Use Disorder?
outfit details:
straw fedora hat & black and tan striped shirt//forever21 $6/$12
gold watch//c.o. mimi's the look
BDG cigarette high-rise skinnies (i wear them almost everyday, i'm obsessed)//urban outfitters $58
india booties//c.o. blowfish shoes
43 comments
Oh yes. I am definitely in that addictive loop. Great post :)
So I actually have been without my smart phone for a week and a half... I have been surprised at how good it feels. Sometimes I miss it when I have a moment when out and about, but I mostly miss my smartphone for maps, Evernote, and my shopping list. When I do get my smartphone again despite how much I like my reader, Facebook, and Pinterest (I haven't done Instagram bc I know how much I would be addicted) when I really want them like at a dr office I can get them through the actual Internet.
It has been refreshing to people watch more, and feel like I'm in reality. I feel like I talk to/spend time withmy 2 yr old and new born more something i didnt realize was a problem. I do have my iPad for when I'm nursing at home though. I like this bc the iPad is bulky so I don't always have it. I guess what I'm saying is you should try going without to see how bad your addiction is, and how nice it can be to be unplugged. I've learned how to stop it from being an addiction, and make it what it ought to be.
I read that article when you Tweeted it and I was surprised by it too since my husband and I both have iPhones. When I first joined Pinterest, I became pretty addicted and decided to only use it during the times I was nursing my baby and NEVER any other time. That way I could still enjoy it, but I wasn't wasting all my time. Maybe if we set limits for ourselves like, putting the phone away after dinner and then one check before bed if we have to will help? I'm kind of in the same boat, I do the constant loop too, even when I did it like 30 seconds ago and there's obviously nothing new! It's crazy how addictive those dang phones are. I am looking forward to suggestions. Thanks for posting this, Ashley!
So get this... I just got my first smartphone yesterday! The reason my husband and I hadn't gotten one sooner is for this specific reason you just stated. We were so repulsed by all the people glued to their phones when we'd go hang out with friends or family. It's like we are all zombies and can't have normal relationships. It's actually one of my biggest pet peeves. The only reason I really got a smartphone yesterday is because of instagram. Gotta have that instagram. I don't have internet on my phone just wifi when I'm at my home so I think that should help with the "always being in the loop" problem. But I agree with you, I'm worried as well!
Instantly thought of this blog and you http://rinnyy.tumblr.com/post/18321621232/take-criticism-smash-it-into-dust-add-color-and
super cute outfit! and I struggle with the smartphone thing too. I try to limit the time I spend on my computer, but its much harder when the device is in your hand, everywhere you go. Definitely something to think about. Thanks for sharing!
My husband and I just got rid of our Facebooks and Twitters all together. And THAT has helped SO much!! We are able to focus on REAL life and each other... not other people's lives. And guess what? We don't miss it AT ALL and we NEVER DID. Once those were deleted, so were the smartphone apps. Another hint is to follow less people on instagram!!! haha. It helps a lot.
I love this post and not just because your outfit is to die for. I think we need to be aware of how much time and energy we put into something that in the long run can't give back to us. I love my smart phone but I am certainly more preoccupied with media than I was before. I don't think I'll give my kids cell phone until they are 16 or something.
~Sophie
ps come link up this great outfit on our blog. We'd love for you to share your frugal fashion finds.
I only keep Facebook to keep in touch with mostly family and friends since my husband and I have recently moved. My blog is our personal journal of sorts, and I don't spend much time on that. Instagram is more of smoething fun to look at 2/3 times a day. My rule has always been, I have to do other things before social media. Exercise, work, serve, housework/chores, errands. Once all that is done, I can do my blogging and what not. It has really helped. Also, since my husband is in his last year of medical school, we always put our phones and computers away (unless he is studying) when we are together!
Can I please just have this entire outfit?! I love the combination of teal pants, the graphic black and white, and how the fedora adds something special. I've been wondering about getting teal pants for a while and I feel like you're completely convincing me! Also I totally agree with you. The amount of time we spend just checking those sites (especially when they haven't really changed since fifteen minutes ago) isn't really doing anything to enrich our lives. I would probably finish homework a lot sooner if I didn't, but I think the key is finding balance because there's always going to be something distracting in life. But with social media there's definitely that fear that you're actually missing out on life trying to stay up to date all the time. And I've never thought of it in terms of what this means for our next generation, either! So we really do need to set good examples! Such a good post!
1. You're beautiful
2. I completely agree with everything you said. We use Instagram, google plus, email, fb, and our games on our phone and I can honestly say I hate it. I think what I'm going to try is to cut back and give myself time limits. I think fb is silly and most people just look into people's lives who they aren't even close with. I don't need that so I only get on fb like once a week. I only check google plus at work on my lunch because my family get on there and I will try to look at Instagram only once a day, maybe 2. This has made my life better but I've now noticed how much my husband is addicted and it drives me crazy!!!! Hopefully some time I will convince him to cut back.
adore the outfit girl. i am addicted to the internet. for sure... and i feel just the same as you.. that perhaps i should unplug a little more for my own creative mind's health. i should probably make some guidelines for myself.. like 10 minutes a day of instagram, etc.... xoxo
Yeah, I am on my phone and computer waaay to much as well. I recently deleted a lot of people from FB, so that I would only have people I trust and talk to or could easily trust and talk to. I already had few friends on there-I am down to 20-seriously though-why would I want to know your life if you don't care to talk to me? I think something like twitter and/or google+ can be for meeting people-FB isn't really made for that. Pinterest and blogger are two of my greatest addications. I think pinterest can be a great thing-it can be a tool. I want to start actually making stuff I have pinned like food and crafts and trying out hairstyles and beauty tips. Right now school limits my computer time anyway, but I really want to become a self-motivated person.
I totally hear ya but since I live away from most of my friends and family, I find that I use social media and by default my iPhone to stay in touch WAY more often than I used to before iPhone mania. So this is a bonus! BTW - your outfit is the bomb diggity!
i definitely have thought about giving up my smartphone but instagram has a hold on my heart. i cant bear to leave it. other than that i could do without.
i too am totally addicted to my iphone, but I love how connected to everything I am via social media. If i feel like i'm getting a little too overstimulated, I just take a break from my phone and pick up a good book, or do another activity. also, great outfit!
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that's totally how i feel! i wonder if getting an itouch would be enough. i think they have insta... :)
it definitely has its pros with its cons! glad you can stay connected with your fam! :)
thank you. i've tried the timers thing, but i always end up ignoring them. i feel like i'm someone who has to go cold turkey or nothin'. good luck though! i hope you have more will power than me :)
My friends make fun of me, but I still have a flip phone. I hate when people are checking their smart phones when I'm hanging out with them and I KNOW I would do the same thing, so I just have chosen to not have one. However, I do wish I could do the instagram thing!
that's exactly why i don't have a smartphone, after i broke my ihpone, because i was addicted to instagrama and facebook etc. but i hate when i go out with friends and they keep typing and texting and ignoring me!! i'll hold on to my basic phone for a while, and if i ever get a smartphone, because i most probably will in the future, i'll try to use it sensibly!!
I personally don't care much for smart phones, and all that business [Although I do have one, my phone is ancient and I don't like that someone can get a hold of me all the time], but I can understand why people do get addicted. You can pretty much find and talk to anyone instantly via one single small device, modern technology blows my mind.
i love your boots :))
get a life and stop being so self-absorbed. maybe get involved in helping others, working in your community, reach out to real people. find more genuine and organic ways of connecting with others. search for quality. instant gratification is extremely destructive. and so are addictions,in all their forms. simplify life, live happily and give.
i know these words are a bit rough, no offense intended.
Hello! I just came across your blog, and it is just darling- you and your guy are so cute… and it's so crazy that you were at the Lulu's style studio event because I was there too! Just moved to the phx area and have been connecting with other bloggers in the area. I was super stoked to meet Mara and couldn't believe she was actually in Phoenix after I'd been reading her blog for so long! Anyway, I’m following you now- I can definitely relate to your thoughts in this post. I'm a 7th grade teacher, and the whole "next generation" stuff you mentioned? Yeah, it's pretty scary haha. take care, Ashley! I look forward to reading more of your blog!
xo, elle from Living
in Color.
I definitely feel I have these same issues! I realize that any time I am somewhere where I have to wait for even just a few minutes (like the doctor's office, riding the shuttle around my university campus, etc) the first thing I do is pull out my smart phone. And if I look around.... everyone else is on their phone too. Nobody just sits in thought, nobody makes conversation, hardly anyone reads a book, we all just sit back and emerge into the online world. It makes me nervous as to how my children will deal with this issue as well, which will probably only get worse. I am majoring in elementary education and we have several classes dealing with technology in the classroom because that is the way the world is moving. They figure since kids are immersed in technology so much as it is, that is the best way for them to learn. Which I agree, however we do need to be careful with that as well! As far as a solution for this problem..... I would love to hear what you come up with if you find something that works for you. Because I want to make some changes myself! Thanks for giving me the push.
I don't have a smartphone in part because I'm afraid of becoming one of those people at social gatherings who are too preoccupied with their phone to enjoy the moment. That being said, I still feel addicted to the internet and when I'm home by my computer, it's hard to break away from it. I agree with you that we could be using our spare time for creative or intellectual pursuits instead of keeping up with the world. I'm trying to take at least an hour a day to read or bake or take a walk.
My computer literacy teacher in college told us that technology should function in the background of our lives rather than be an obsession, but as each new piece of technology comes out, we are fixated by it for a time. Hopefully, in a future world where smartphones are the norm, we'll learn balance and self-control all over again.
- Leah
leahwise.wordpress.com
these are some great suggestions. maybe the ipad is my answer...or at least i could use it to ween myself off... haha thanks for your comment
i wonder how i could take internet off my phone so i had to use wifi...hmmm, thanks for you comment!
this made me so happy! thanks for showing me!
aw! i keep wanting to delete fb and twitter but i can't get myself too because sometimes (only sometimes) something comes up and i really do need to it to get in contact with someone. but maybe i just need to get over it and take the plunge! you guys are awesome
i was having this discussion with my brothers and sisters at family dinner and then one of my brother looked over and all the kids were in the next room playing with iphones/ipads/tablets...it hit hard when i saw that!
very good rule! if i don't just turn in my phone all together i'll have to set myself similar rules!
thank you thank you! and thanks for your comment!
very true! thanks for the comment
thank you!
that's what i'm thinking, maybe if i get rid of my iphone i'll lead by example and my husband will join me or at least cut back!
i tried deleting people on facebook but it was taking me forever! i got rid of about 100 and then got too bored! i need to make it a weekly task! then maybe i can get it down to the people i really really know! thanks for the comment!
i'm seriously thinking of going back to the flip phone! instagram will be greatly missed though!
good luck! haha
it is really crazy! but i'm starting to have that same feeling that i hate that people expect to be able to get a hold of me at any moment! i wish i could just go cold turkey!
thanks pretty lady!
thank you!
That's why I don't have a facebook and I've deleted my twitter a couple of times. But then I realize that twitter is really useful sometimes. The trick is to balance it all out and have moderation in everything. Smartphones have so many capabilities that regular cellphones don't have and that's why they are so useful and you probably wouldn't want to give it up.
Recently I was looking for chevron backgrounds for my iPhone, to set them as my wallpaper for the home and lock screen. I looked online through my phone and I came across this post
http://www.oopsicraftmypants.net/2012/01/iphone-chevron-wallpaper.html
And she talks about the same thing you are talking about. Just always checking one last thing and not participating in real life. I thought it was such a neat idea to have that quote right on your lock screen so when you feel the urge to check your phone, you'll be reminded to be present in the moment. I decided to follow her suggestion and do the quote on the lock screen and the plain chevron on the home screen. Also what I did is that I tried to get the picture of the chevron to fit my screen and then I took a screenshot of it and then set it as my wallpaper. It has worked wonderfully so far and it really does help me be in the moment more. Hope this helped a little!
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