Chapter 1: The Sudden Disconnect

My five-year-old smartphone finally gave up on me, opting for an unexpected hiatus. It had shown signs of fatigue for some time, but I assumed it would endure indefinitely. Once I took it to the repair shop, I found myself cut off from the digital world. This experience made me acutely aware of my reliance on it; it felt almost like an extension of myself, always within reach.

Here's a brief rundown of how I utilized my phone:

• Timekeeping — check.
• Communication — check.
• Social Media — check.
• Entertainment — check.
• Work/Building apps — check.
• Navigation — check.
• Finances — check.
• Notepad — check.
• Books/Library — check.
• Camera/Video recording — check.
• Food/Supplies — check.
• Health/Fitness — check.
• Flashlight — check.

If I overlooked any vital functions, feel free to remind me. Nowadays, it seems there's an app for nearly everything—I should know, as I develop a few myself.

For nearly a week, I was without my primary device (is "phone-less" even a term?). I resorted to using an older model just to make calls. While I could reinstall many applications, it felt off—this wasn’t my phone; it lacked a sense of belonging. I only loaded it with the essentials.

After a few days, I came to a realization: I wasn't missing much. Life continued, and most tasks I completed on my smartphone were either unnecessary or could be accomplished more effectively without it.

Once I retrieved my phone, it took a while to re-establish everything. This time, however, I contemplated each app: Is this genuinely necessary, or merely a distraction?

How about you? Do you sometimes feel like your smartphone consumes too much of your time?

If you have a moment, consider checking out my book.