I’ve even been known to turn around and get it if I have time. Lately, though, I’ve left it at home on purpose or accidental purpose and it feels sort of freeing.
A trip to the grocery store or dinner with friends is so much more relaxing. I tend to keep my phone on silent or vibrate instead of ring anyway, but that doesn’t keep a call or text from interrupting a conversation.
The more I leave my phone at home when meeting friends, the more I realize how prevalent it is to just glance at a text or check a missed call in the middle of a conversation. I realize just how rude I’ve been to the person across the table. I’ve essentially told them, by checking my phone, that you are less important than this piece of technology.
My solution is to leave the phone at home a bit more often and concentrate on the conversation I’m having in person.
There is a caveat to this solution. Obviously, if you are expecting a very important call or text (as in something the person across the table from you would deem just as important) then tell your friend ahead of time, “I’m expecting a call about X and I hope you understand that I’m not trying to insult you if I check my phone.”
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I’ve come to this same realization too, about how rude it is to constantly check your phone, and it’s a habit I’m not actively trying to break! I like the idea of accidentally on purpose leaving the phone at home, might have to give that a try =)
Please let me know what secrets you discover along the way! I’m happy to pass on the tips. Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend!
-Aurora
Great post and reminders… it’s hard to get away from my phone as well but I have also left it ‘accidentally’ in places in order to free myself from it and it works. I do this once a week in order to stop checking it so often. It’s quite sad how addicting it can be to constantly look for that communication throughout the day!
-Tracy, @tracytilly from Professionals Inc’s blog
Thanks for the reply, Tracy! Have a lovely Friday!
-Aurora