There is something about the first snow of the season and watching Hallmark Christmas movies that get me feeling quite wistful. So on this Throwback Thursday, I am asking you to join me for a walk down 'Memory Lane'.
Remember when the only phone you had was the one on the wall of the family kitchen? My sisters and I considered it a very significant upgrade when the cord that came with it was switched out for one that was long enough to reach into the family room. We were living large! Even though that cord was always twisted beyond belief and took a team of us to unravel it and restore it to its original glory, I really miss that phone! Back then, if someone wanted to speak with me, they had to get through my parents (and/or a busy signal) to get to me. Remember when the phone never rang while we were driving in our cars, shopping in stores, or when we were at school? There most certainly were never phones ringing while we were enjoying a much cherished meal out at our favorite restaurant! Times have really changed and today I am left thinking that they are not all for the better.
More than ever, I am seeing people driving and talking, working out while talking, and walking the streets and talking. It is even a common occurrence to see people answering their phones while they are shopping and checking out at a store. Each time I have observed this, the person chatting on the phone is completely unaware of the frustration on their sales clerk's face. When I am out to dinner, I see people all around me who are on their phones the entire time and not even looking at the person sitting across the table from them. Have you ever dined with someone who took calls, wrote texts and surfed the web right in front of you? I have. It is not a good feeling. Do you remember when we all actually made eye contact and spoke to one another? There are so many phones ringing and pinging during the classes that I teach that I have had no choice but to announce that all phones be silenced before I begin a class. I may have to resort to collecting the phones at the door! Remember when going shopping or going to fitness class meant it was an hour or two away from the ringing phone? Shopping and working out were considered "me" time.
Just this week, the Today Show had a segment on how disastrous increased phone/screen time is for our health. We are more stressed, anxious and exhausted than ever. The very same people who tell me they are suffering with anxiety, are the ones jumping to answer every call and text, no matter where they are, what they are doing or who they are with. There are restaurants that offer discounts to patrons who will put their phones "on ice" in a lock box in the center of the table for the duration of their meal. Arianna Huffington, who famously and publicly changed her lifestyle completely when stress nearly killed her, sells adorable phone "beds" on her website to stash and store your phone by literally "putting it to bed". Even Apple has recognized the severity of the problem...their new operating system has a feature called "screen time" which keeps track of how much time you spend on your phone and other devices. In the biggest irony of all, there are apps you can install on your phone that help you to detox and detach from it.
I have made a concerted effort to keep my phone regularly tucked away in my purse or in my top desk drawer. Believe it or not, I have even left my house without it!!! The most amazing things have happened...my clients were still able to speak with me, my students were still able to get a hold of me, my husband and kids know exactly where I am and when they can talk to me and I am not spending my time jumping up to answer every ring, ping or alert.
Right about now, you are either thinking that I have gone stark, raving made or that I have found the fountain of peace and tranquility. Either way, I am dialing "N for Nostalgia" and feeling quite great about it. I may even go deep diving in the boxes in my basement to find my old rotary phone (with the long cord, of course)! The great thing is...we will finally know whether Santa reads my blog or not if we all get old-fashioned phones this year for Christmas!