Picture of Karla Rava, Special Events Director of Aster Event Planning. Amazing cappuccino served daily at Tillicum Place Cafe, Belltown
It’s hard to remember what life was like before having a smartphone. Let’s go down memory-lane; shall we?!
Well first, at the end of a long work day, we would look forward to pushing the “play” button on our home answering machine and listening to the people that were thinking of us. A call from mom, was a guarantee, a call from Nana-Barb was expected on certain days of the week and a call from a good old friend was always a nice surprise.
Secondly, life seemed less complicated. Smartphones were designed to keep you on track with all of your appointments and obligations, but somehow carrying around a computer that fits in the palm of your hand requires more of your time then you probably realized. Let’s examine this further, if you receive a text, you are inclined to answer it right away because texting is normally done in real time. If you get an email, you open it because you are curious to see what it is. If you have a voice-mail, you listen to it immediately because it might be urgent. And if a groupon alert pops up, you quickly jump on it because it might be a good deal worth getting your creditcard out for.
As convenient a device having a Smartphone is, consider putting it down when you are: driving, shopping with a friend, picking up groceries, walking your dog because “yes” Fido needs your undivided attention during his brief walks, reading the newspaper and certainly it is a good idea to put your Smartphone away when you are in the company of a charming person having the perfect winter’s lunch.
Need another incentive? By detaching from your phone, you’ll instantly lower your stress levels and that can be helpful when jump-starting your New Years resolution; whatever that may be.