AddicteD to Your Cell PhonE?
Getting married, starting a job or going to the dentist have long been recognised as sources of great stress.
But it seems they are now matched by a new, peculiarly 21st century affliction - the fear of being out of mobile phone contact.
Nomophobia is the fear of being out of mobile phone contact - and it’s the plague of our 24/7 age
Millions apparently suffer from “no mobile phobia” which has been given the name nomophobia.They have become so dependent on their mobile that discovering it is out of charge or simply misplacing it sends stress levels soaring.
“We’re all familiar with the stressful situations of everyday life such as moving house, break-ups and organising a family Christmas.“But it seems that being out of mobile contact may be the 21st century’s latest contribution to our already hectic lives.
Ah. Guilty as charged.
Cellphones and BlackBerrys were created to make life “easier”, were they not? It seems, however, they are now interfering with the lives of users, who just can’t seem to “turn them off”.
Upon hearing this fateful announcement.. “ Please Turn off all cell phones and pagers” in theatres or even hospitals, some are riddled with anxiety.
Whaddaya mean..turn if OFF…Off……….as in off?
People seem to feel the incessant need to be “connected”, at all times………..to be in the loop, to know what’s going on and to be available to everyone. Always. On the golf course, at work, during a meeting, late at night, on line in the supermarket, during dinner………………….
Whaddaya mean…I called you on your home phone..Ya didn’t answer.
I tried your cell…Where were you?! 
Ever go out with someone who simply can’t get through dinner, or even a movie, without sending text messages?
Ever notice how some compulsively check their phones for voicemails, e-mails, or text messages throughout the day?
Are you one of them? C’mon. Fess up.
And what if your phone calls or text messages aren’t returned right away?..How does that make you feel?
Then, there are some who are so addicted that they can start out using a basic phone but feel the need to upgrade and switch to newer models all the time, the latest and the best…….. with more advanced features or purchasing PDAs that are actually more like mini-computers.
It may be challenging..But, hey..It’s okay to Turn the thang OFF.
Life will go on.
And guess what…all those exceptionally urgent messages…will be right there waitin for ya………after you talk to your husband or wife……..after dinner………..after the movie…………after the love-making………..after playing with your kids…………
Heck, you may end up enjoyin your privacy so much and havin so much fun..you might not even want to turn it back on so soon. Heh.
Ring. Ring.
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March 30th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Too funny and so true! I recently got a Blackberry. I must have been nuts! I like to get away from it all now and then, what was I thinking? Anyhoo..I can always not answer..right?
I did a post once something like this and it seems that most everyone has a love/hate relationship with their cell. Ya gotta admit, most are rude today with their use.
Adorable post as always Angel.
March 30th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Pretty soon they’ll have 12 steps for cell phone and computer addictions! I know I have to fight the urge to ‘use’ the computer too much.
March 30th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
“Nomophobia”? Are we becoming a nation of wimps or what?
March 30th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
So it’s actually got a name now? But I don’t have it. I never worry about my cellphone, I hate talking on it. People drive me crazy with them. They intrude on actual LIVE conversations.
March 30th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
*heh*
I ditched my cell phone when it became more of a bother than a help. Oh, I might pick up a cheap “throwaway” for long out of town trips, but that’s about all the use I have for the things any more. Not a Luddite. Love techie toys. Just didn’t get a real charge out of carrying a leash around with me everywhere I went.
March 30th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
No, I hate cell phones! My kids on the other hand…
March 31st, 2008 at 3:47 am
Rough times…
I’ve turned two evictions into two possible resolutions with the people involved being allowed to stay, other’s taxes, social security giving my money to someone else since December!, cigarrette taxes, plumber, accounting, bills, and all of this with…
March 31st, 2008 at 6:21 am
Angel, I’d much rather be out somewhere with my friends dining Al Fresco under a blue sky than talking to a chunk of metal at my ear. Though, of course, these things have to be arranged…
March 31st, 2008 at 6:21 am
Think I won’t buy a Crackberry afterall… My daughter got her first one yesterday, the hype was too much. Asked a relative, “is that your first”? One could of been excused for thinking that they were referring to a newborn … Great posting Angel, yea I know I have said that before….
March 31st, 2008 at 9:46 am
Great blog Angel, I’m still laughing at those pictures..
March 31st, 2008 at 10:52 am
Good post. I have a cell phone that almost never rings. I keep it shut off alot though so that might be the reason.
March 31st, 2008 at 11:53 am
our children are tee-emming fools!
frankly, i like to hit the “ignore” button on mine…
March 31st, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Let it go to voice mail…
March 31st, 2008 at 1:39 pm
I like my cell phone since my kids moved away, because I figure if the cell phone isn’t wringing, there are no crisis situations in progress. I hate it when people I am having lunch with take cell phone calls, though, it just seems rude.
March 31st, 2008 at 3:34 pm
I am going to try to never get a blackberry or ever text message. I wonder if it’ll work.
My question about cell phones: Why is it that they make NOISE when you’re turning them OFF? Usually, it’s during a lecture or something where people want QUIET. If you’ve forgotten to turn it off, you think “uhoh, what if I get a CALL NOW?” Better turn it off then, right? BUT… “Uhoh…how can I turn it off NOW when it’ll make THAT NOISE?”!!
WHY make a noise when you’re turning it off, pray tell!! Thanks for any info!!
March 31st, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Sorry was just about to leave a comment and my cellphone rang………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Okay got that over with….wait…i think i am getting a text message……………………………………………………………………………………………..
Thanks so much for waiting……pardon me……my BEEPER went off……………………….i can’t believe that thing still works.
Love your take on things, Angel…..what addiction????????
March 31st, 2008 at 10:37 pm
I am the resistance, I will carry one while working and that is it, nowhere else and only of the most basic sort so I can call a client if need be since payphones are nonexistant now. I spend enough time in front of a computer that I won’t carrt one with me. A workmate of a friend got busted for over 40 hours a week on his company cell pnone, heck I don’t even like to talk on the telephone at all.
April 1st, 2008 at 7:09 am
I got one a few years ago for my wife due to her propensity for crashing. I have never owned one otherwise and have no plans to change that. I have a phone at my business, one at my home and a computer at both locations, too. In between… LEAVE ME ALONE.
April 1st, 2008 at 8:11 am
LOL! I don’t have to “fess up”, Angel. I let my cell phone run out of minutes on purpose. I only have one because one of my daughters gave it to me as a gift but I hate the darned thing! I don’t want to be at everyone’s beck and call at all times of the day and night.
April 1st, 2008 at 7:45 pm
My young daughter is addicted, it seems. We just got her a new “Alias” Samsung phone. She took to it like a duck out of water. She is the fastest text messenger in the Northern hemisphere.
April 1st, 2008 at 7:46 pm
In the previous post I meant “duck TO water.”