by Grace Hodes

Picture these scenarios: you’re flipping through channels on your TV, you’re sitting in advisory waiting for announcements, you’re waiting in line at Chipotle, you’re stuck on a math problem, you’re laying in bed about to fall asleep, you’re bored in class and the teacher isn’t looking, or you’re sitting in your car waiting for your carpool. Now what exactly do all these instances have in common? Chances are, your smartphone. Trust me, I know; I’ve been there.

I can’t think of the last time I was bored or procrastinating and didn’t reach for my phone. It’s pathetic. What’s even more pathetic is how half of the time I use my phone, it doesn’t even occur to me that I could be doing something more productive, or God forbid, just sitting quietly and thinking. I could be on my way to my room, ready to start my homework and end up wasting an hour sitting on my bed staring at a small glowing screen. Sometimes, I can’t even remember why I started looking at it, I just know that once I reach into my pocket and unlock my phone, an hour could pass by easily without so much as a thought as to why I opened my phone in the first place.

The longest I’ve gone without my phone in the past year was four days. I knew ahead of time that I wouldn’t be able to use my phone and, as embarrassing as it is to admit, I was worried. I couldn’t imagine not having my phone with me for more than a day. I thought I would feel unconnected and I was genuinely concerned I would miss something big during that time apart from my phone. However, those four days without my phone were the most productive and freeing days I’ve experienced in a very long time. I didn’t have to worry about missing a text from my parents or friends. There was no junk mail to sort through or song to download. I was not concerned with the latest text message, Snapchat, Instagram, or Facebook status. I didn’t spend five minutes at night analyzing the weather forecast for the upcoming week, even though I would soon forget and have to recheck it the next morning.

I can’t explain why I open my phone and suddenly I am absorbed in a random Facebook friend’s opinion on the Chiefs or an inspirational quote they thought everyone needed to know. Or why I suddenly feel the need to analyze and appreciate every Instagram photo of someone’s cat staring at a Christmas tree or a gourmet ham sandwich that was taken in the Lo-fi filter.

Now, I can understand when a person is bored or procrastinating, and they become enwrapped in the useless information of their smartphone. Anyone who owns a phone with abilities that exceed text messaging and calling can relate to that. However, there are very few things I find more frustrating than when I’m having a conversation with someone and suddenly their phone buzzes and for the next ten minutes, they nod and “uh huh” to anything I say as they stare at their phone. Nothing says, “Great, I’m not interested,” better than holding your phone out between you and the person you’re talking to.

Even though this is one of my biggest pet peeves, I’m sure I’m guilty of it. If I’ve ever interrupted our conversation to check a text message or Snapchat, I’m sorry. Honestly though, that’s super annoying and rude. But sadly, no matter what I say now, I know I’d feel on edge if I were to forget my phone at home and didn’t have access to it for the mere eight hours I spend at school each day.

Granted, smartphones are helpful for texting and calling people, organizing my schedule, checking grades on Powerschool, and setting an alarm to wake me up in the morning, but when it becomes a routine way to pass the time, you know you’re in trouble.

So there’s your warning smartphone owners or potential buyers. Don’t let yourself waste away your life staring at a five-inch screen absorbed in worthless information.