I’m not sure how I would react to a similar situation. Your reaction is a little window into our dependence on that little device.

Glad I have my computer as a backup! Although I do take long breaks from technology which I appreciate.Perhaps the difference is that I do it voluntarily. Glad yo survived.

I feel you. I love the connection with our kids and each other. When we don’t have it, we are forced to be alone with our own minds. Like Shelley said, one thing if it’s voluntary. Another if it’s not. One thing is for sure, our worlds are changed forever.

I think it’s possible that we’ve become way to attached to our devices - sometimes to the exclusion of being wholly present in the now. I know I am guilty of this…..However having said that I can’t imagine being without my phone for any length of time. I just got an Apple Watch for my Anniversary- maybe that’s a solution for you - as a back up…..

We really have become too dependent on our Smart Phones. Two days ago, I was in my back yard enjoying a moment with the fish when all of a sudden, a large manatee appeared up against my seawall, eating the seaweed off of it. I quickly I ran in to get some lettuce which they like. As I struggled to get the container opened, my phone which was nestled against my shoulder and head (I was on a call with my wife) fell right on top of the manatee's back. He barely felt it as I was bent over the edge of the wall with only a few feet of a fall but he slowly moved back and down went my phone into about two feet of brackish water. I was frozen, thinking what will I do without this needed phone. I sprung to action, got my neighbors post digger which I know he keeps in the side yard, and proceeded to clasp the phone in the muck. Luckily its a Samsung S21 which can withstand 30 min underwater 3 feet or less. I was able to clean it and dry it off, but about an hour of panic and about a day for the speaker phone to fully dry. I wonder what the poor manatee thought of all this commotion. He left peacefully more startled by the post digger making a mess of the sand than my phone landing on its furry back..

I can imagine your “loss” Fred!
I need my phone but am not a junkie!

Btw Dan’s story is fantastic!

I was recently corrected - i do not have a phone - I have a computer in my hand. You can call it a device as well.
Went to lunch the other day and left my COMPUTER in the car - felt helpless and liberated at the same time!
Oh, how we make decisions on how to live.

Sometimes I like being disconnected, where no one can get to me. I take the time just to be still and quiet. . .

I’m less so

Some say in-person social skills are like muscles if you don’t use you lose. So I exercise this skill set every weekend. All communication devices go on the shelf not to be touched (except in rare emergency type situations which occur a few times a year) until Monday morning. Weekend in-person interactions are truly wonderful and remind me of the good old days of TBSP (Time Before Smart Phones). Monday morning I wake up thrilled at the idea of constant reminders, interruptions and various types of endless chit chat which is also sort of wonderful too. It’s important for good mental and physical health to exercise all of our god given gifts & muscles.