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The How-To Lounge: Avoiding the Phone Obsession

Tue, 07/29/2008 - 12:00pm by DearSugar
659 Views - 15 comments

It wasn't all that long ago when people used to sit by the phone waiting for a call. But just because times have changed and we can now drag our phone around with us everywhere we go, it doesn't mean that we've stopped the obsessive when-will-they-call behavior. In fact, having access to our phones every minute of every day only makes us more likely to worry about when the darn thing will ring! To work on avoiding this obsessive phone behavior, just read more.

  • If you're the type who checks your phone incessantly only because you have it with you, I think it's time to start weaning yourself off the cell. Leave your phone at home when you're running errands or watching a movie, then work your way up to a full day off. It's hard at first, but once you get used to life without it, it can feel like a big relief.
  • If you really can't bear the idea of not having it (you know, in case of an actual emergency) try keeping it turned off during specific times of the day. You may be surprised how knowing your phone is off will quell your urge to know who might be contacting you.
  • Make a rule not to check your phone when you're with other people. Not only can it be rude, but avoiding doing so is a great excuse to disconnect for a while.
  • If you're waiting or hoping for a phone call from that special someone, things get more difficult. The waiting game is a hard one, and it almost always leads to obsessive checking for missed calls. Try giving yourself specific amounts of time between checks — I usually opt for every 45 minutes.
  • Stifle your anticipation by keeping your mind and your hands busy. Do something that requires both so you literally won't be physically able to pick up the phone.

OK, a mild cell phone addiction never killed anyone, but still, learning when to put your phone aside will give your speeding brain a rest for a while and take the wait out of the waiting game.

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15 Comments Add a Comment

  • Lovely_1's picture
    Lovely_1
    1

    Uggg my boyfriends' brothers' gf is the worse. We'll be eating dinner and she is constently checking her phone or texting sometimes even talking! At their mom's! At dinner!

    I personally think it's pretty rude. I would never do it. And I hope my bf wouldn't do it to my fmaily either!

    16 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • ladychaos's picture
    ladychaos
    2

    ...why does this so apply to me today? I feel like a little girl on how I'm so crushing on this dude....ugh!!!

    16 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • skigurl's picture
    skigurl
    3

    just last night i was sitting around waiting for a boy to call me
    thank god he did, but my ex gave me serious separation anxiety because sometimes i'd be waiting for 2 days so i get all nervous
    it's true, you have to keep yourself busy! at least talk to someone or watch something interesting on tv. don't just pretend to read a magazine while checking every 10 seconds.

    (and i know i do it too, but why do we check our phones when we know full well when it rings/vibrates/beeps we'll hear it?)

    16 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • krrn's picture
    krrn
    4

    this would be a good thing for people. i mean, i check my phone a lot but some of my friends need to do these things. it's really annoying hanging out with a friend and he or she is texting or on the phone most of the time. i know they don't realize they're doing it but it's really rude and makes it not very fun to be with them.

    16 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • CaterpillarGirl's picture
    CaterpillarGirl
    5

    reason number 305 why i dont have a cell phone. People who are constantly checking them are annoying.

    16 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • dancingnancy's picture
    dancingnancy
    6

    i hate cell phones and i hate people walking around the street with those ear thingies looking like they're talking to themselves.

    16 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • allourregrets's picture
    allourregrets
    8

    this is too funny. My boyfriend and I got into a little fight the other night. The next day at work I had to leave my phone in my car because I knew I would drive myself crazy checking it every five minutes to see if he called or sent me a text.

    16 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • heidi girl's picture
    heidi girl
    9

    i used to be obsessive over my phone, it was horrible. thankfully i'm not so much anymore.

    16 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • MeggyPoodles's picture
    MeggyPoodles
    10

    ugh, I do this as well. I WISH I could leave it at home, but I am one of those neurotic people who think that some kind of horrible emergency situation will occur as soon as I do.

    I'm getting a little better though. I am now leaving it on the kitchen table when I sleep at night instead of right next to my bed (or under my pillow, like I used to!! eek.)

    16 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • ajennilynrushhh's picture
    ajennilynrushhh
    11

    i'm not that obsessive with my phone anymore like i used to. now i get kinda annoyed when my phone rings or i get texts. haha. it's because i get the most annoying texts or phone calls, so yeah haha.

    16 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • miriah15's picture
    miriah15
    12

    I HATE the phone! With a passion! Just the ring of it makes me cranky. Give me internet or in person communcation over the phone.

    16 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • blondie83's picture
    blondie83
    15

    I'm addicted to my cell phone! And with my last boyfriend he constantly was calling or texting me so now I find myself checking it waiting for a new guy to be just as obsessed. I know, I need to break this silly cycle!

    16 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment

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