My Love/Hate relationship with Cell Phones

Do you ever find yourself wondering how you lived before cell phones, and wishing at times, that you still COULD?

While I'm not ready (and never will be) to give up having a cell phone entirely (I have more than once been very grateful to have it with me in an emergency and I really do like having internet access on my phone which I've used as needed when I'm out and about), I simply can't find a reason to use it "regularly" for "common use."

To put it simply, if I'm home, I'm probably within arm's reach (or can be within seconds) of my computer that is always online, and my home phone, which works perfectly. If I'm not home, most of the time that means I'm doing something where I'd like to be focused on what I am doing, not talking on a cell phone or, heaven forbid, texting.

I'd love it if my cell phone was "outgoing" only. I don't mean that to be rude, I really don't, but the bottom line is that I am available ALMOST always from home, so when I'm not home, I'd like to be enjoying my family or whatever I'm doing without talking on the phone. I can call others on their cell when I need to (those I know who prefer it, or in some cases only use a cell), but I'd be absoluely delighted if mine never rang (that's why mine is only on vibrate 99% of the time).

With my job, I receive an inordinate amount of communication via email (I don't remember the last time I received less than 300 emails in one day that I needed to read, and most of which I needed to reply to), facebook, snail mail (yes, that does still exist), and my home phone (which I use as my primary phone). Adding cell calls and  YIKES... .texting, just feels like adding MORE noise to my already overflowing-with-communication life.

This raises another point... Texting. I've only had the ability to text for a year and in that time, I've found it to be the biggest nuisance in modern technology I have yet to encounter (and I am the most "plugged in mom" in my circle of friends by far). I just don't get it.

Consequently, I only check my text messages every 4-6 weeks when I finally get frustrated with the little symbol on the top of my screen and puzzled at how it got there - when an aha moment strikes and I remember, "Oh that is the symbol for a text." I check it only to discover a message that is now completely obsolete and irrelevant. Once in a blue moon, I will text one of my two friends who love to text to confirm plans (but only because I know they love texting).

When we first got our cell plan, my husband was working unusual hours and I never knew when to expect him home. More than once, he'd arrive home and I was surprised at how early or late he was and he'd say, "Didn't you get my message?" "What message?" "I texted you." "My phone is in the kitchen on silent, I'm in the living room, I never get texts. I didn't know anyone texted me." "I do." "Because you're one of 3 people who have my number. Please don't do it again. If you want to tell me something, please call the house." He now calls.

I'm very guarded about who even has my cell phone number because I so rarely use it and don't want to use it. Once in a while, friends need it because we're meeting somewhere (at this writing 10 people have my cell number). When someone gets the number they are informed that I never use my cell phone and not to expect an answer if they call it, and most importantly NOT to divulge that number to anyone else. My home phone or email are the ways to reach me.

As more and more of my friends are disconnecting their home lines and switching to cell only, I've considered taking the plunge... but I just can't. I am not ready to be on call 24/7 even out in public. And, I can't stand touch screen technology (we'll save that topic for another day... let's just say I hope my husband, who warns me that is the direction of the future, is wrong on this one). I LOVE my laptop. I LOVE my home phone. I've grown used to Facebook. Texting and cell messages.... not for me. I guess, in this way, I'm trying desperately to hang on to the past just a little longer.

How do you feel about cell phones and text messages? Could you live without them? Would you want to?

Written by Kristina Light