I Lost my beloved iPhone 3GS in October 2008, approximately 2 months after I got it. Oh, I was crushed. I was devastated. I scrambled to find my phone everywhere at the Starbucks where I left it on the counter just few minutes ago, but there was no hope. Then I doubted myself and sorted my entire car to see if I luckily left my phone in my car, but there was nothing to be found.
I was in tears and mourning the loss of my phone. It was not just a phone; it was my lifeline with numbers of everyone I ever knew. All my favorite apps and emails were in one place and were one click away. All my financial apps, that allowed me to monitor my bank accounts and transactions, all the games that I loved playing, internet accessibility anywhere I went, and so much more that was accessible to me on my iPhone.
How could someone steal my phone? How can they take something so precious to me away from me? I was mourning the loss of my cell phone to the extreme. Sure, it was just a phone to you, but it was everything to me.
If I wanted another iPhone I would either have to pay $499 or wait 2 years for my plan to allow me to buy a new iPhone at a discounted rate. I could buy any other smart phone for lot less. But having used an iPhone, I did not want to buy any other smart phone.
I had been with a smart phone for more than 2 years at the time, my first was original iPhone and than the 3GS which I had lost (still weeping). As my grieving continued, I made a very dreaded decision to not get a new smart phone.
What happened next? I switched to a regular Nokia phone, but stopped using it as much. It would just sit there in my purse in a silent mode. I preferred not to answer any calls on that phone. There were times that I had several voice messages piled up, and I did not want to hear them. I also stopped checking my emails on day to day basis. There were no more social apps, or games at the tip of my finger. I was experiencing cell phone paralysis.
Wow, what a change from totally connected to totally disconnected. I felt helpless at times, when I wanted to find something nearby and did not have a smart phone to help me.
Last 2 years were different, and I learned a lot about socializing and connecting with people without using my phone. There were times that I was so glad that there was no smart phone beeping at me while I was socializing with my friends. I always emailed and found other ways to keep in contact with distant friends. It wasn’t that I did not want to talk to anyone who called me, but I just hated my phone and did not want to use it.
After more than 2 years, I got iPhone 4 white in May 2011. I am so happy to be back in the loopJ. And now I know when I need to tuck my smart friend in the purse.
Have you ever been in a cell phone paralysis? What was your experience?
One thing I know is that when I entertain I do absolutly not talk on the cell phone,especially when I'm talking on it already. And to even think of I answering it while out with friends or family does not even come up in my mind.Instead I think of the people I entertaining as Royal guests that should be honored and treated accordingly.But,that's because I'm trained to entertain and host guests since the age of 6.
ReplyDeleteOh the dread of lossing an phone...it is almost too much to bear. I lost mine once (for a day) and it was AWFUL. I spent hours searching for the phone, sending mass emails informing everyone of my pain and loss. I did eventually find the phone in the sofa (of all places). Now I am dealing with the slow death of my iPhone 3G and the refusal to buy another one until it completely dies.
ReplyDelete@Kiddy, Looks like you are a great host. I agree with your point on not answering phone calls when out with friends or family. I avoid that as well :)
ReplyDeleteVickie, I remember the day when you told me about not able to find your phone. I think we missed talking about it in detail. But, I am glad that you did not lose your phone. However, the seeing your phone die is just as bad. I am waiting for you to upgrade so that we can do facetime :)
ReplyDeleteI was not sure if anyone else would feel the same as I was feeling when I lost my phone. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thank you,well I was well trained by two experts my mom and grandfather since the age of 6,then being a military spouse entertainer for 20 years added to the training,and then working as a volunteer at my church in the hospitality department was sheer pleasure,and there on top of all that God put the anointing, and that's the best.My son and I were shocked when we discovered God's anointing on me one night as I entertained a couple. But sadly they divorced later on.I'm best at social gatherings outside my home though.
ReplyDeleteMy darling wife makes sure that people take precedence over the smartphone.
ReplyDeleteMarvin the Martian,
ReplyDeleteYou have a very intelligent wife. I agree that people should take precedence over phones. Would love to meet her sometime if you travel this way.
I'm with you Anjita on that,I'd like to meet Marvin's wife too,he's so crazy about her that it makes me want to meet her and experience the thrill of what Marvin desctibes,she seems totally an amazing lady,and so brilliant, but so is he,he's actally a genius.So we got two smarty pants in the family.
ReplyDelete