My Phone and I: 5&6

How long can I stay without my phone?

This was a question I asked myself when I saw the second edition of the HL prompt, and I smiled. It made me flashback to how I have become so used to phones that I could hardly stay minutes without them. The only place I don't take my phone to is the bathroom.

But wait! I remember a time I actually took it to the bathroom and left it on the window till I was done bathing. I was engrossed in something I was watching and couldn't spare a few minutes to stay away from it.

My dad had complained even to my family about how I didn't know any other thing apart from being on my phone. But it's a story we'd talk about today and laugh because my dad had to be calm when he realised it was this same phone I have been addicted to that is bringing food to the table for us. Lol.

I have been a user of phones since I finished secondary school. No, that's a lie! I actually started pressing phones when I was very young and in primary school, where I'd take mom's phone and play snake games or Dad's to play ringtones. Once I am on my phone, forget it, unless you keep reminding me of something I need to do because I would have been carried away.

Most of the things I need to do to be productive for the day are done on phone; from checking the time, writing, reading pdfs, filling in details on Google sheet, making transfers, etc. So, it's hard to ignore my phones even for a minute.

Countless times I have burnt food because of my addiction. Once I'm with my phone, it's like being dead to the world and onto a new world.

Talk of when I discovered one could watch movies on the phone and not have to wait for electricity to come up so we could switch on the black and white television we used then. It became something I'd go around looking for where to get movies, transferring through Bluetooth. That was all I used my phone for; watch movies and listen to music.

Today, with everything done on the phone, it's hard for one to go without it. It is only when my phone goes off and nowhere to charge or when I'm sleeping that's when my phone takes its break and rest from its owner. I use my phone up to the point that it starts getting hot, and I am warned of its high temperature, then would I put it down for a few minutes just to cool down, and I'm back to pressing it again.

Phones are used for many purposes now and it's impossible not to stay on your phone doing one thing or the other. Once upon a time, I couldn't leave my phone even for 10 minutes as it's always with me everywhere I go, like MTN. I don't joke with my phone, even if someone requests to make use of it because I would give the excuse that I'm using it.

But now, I can go without my phone for a maximum of 3 hours. How? You would ask! Let me explain.

There is one thing I don't do, and to me, it's like dishonouring the Holy place if I do it. When I am in church, I focus on what I'm there for and at that time, my phone is out of reach. I believe in giving my time to God and nothing should distract me.

I do go to church with my phone but once I am inside, it’s on "DND" mode to fully give my attention because I know myself. At the sound of a notification or just a silent buzz, I will have to check who or what it is. To avoid this, I put my phone in my bag and give my undivided attention. Most times, the service goes on for more than 3 hours, and it's a principle to keep my phone away to respect the house of God.

There are other times I just need to keep my phone away, but this doesn't go beyond an hour while doing something else like reading novels or just cleaning my room, and I would only be determined to hold my phone when I'm done with everything. This has happened a lot of times and a way I stay away from my phone. But for any other reason, nah, I can't do without my phone oo. It's impossible.

I have been warned to stop pressing my phone when I'm eating but I made them understand that's how I tend to enjoy my food 😅 My phone is always with me wherever I go except when I'm in church, sleeping, or just decide to stay away to avoid too much of screen because of my eyes.

Another thing that can make me do without my phone is when I'm charging it. I don't like the idea of pressing my phone while it charges because it will only make it stay longer to fully charge and cause it to overheat. And my phone, when it's completely down, takes an hour or more to get charged. So by then, I find something to engage with so I don't feel bored.

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