A love letter to my smartphone

As I sit opposite my 8-year, who is typing up her daily schoolwork, she is getting frustrated that she can’t type as fast as me. I remind her that I didn’t start working with a computer regularly until I went to university in 1997, and in the past 23 years, typing has become a daily activity; it’s not something you are just born to do. It was there that I got my first email address, that I’d use after queuing for an available PC in the computer labs of the University of Leicester.  I remember a time when the idea of having a computer in my house seemed like the lap of luxury. Now, over twenty years later, I’m walking around with a computer in my hand. Over those two decades, I’ve grown to love it, and today, I want to write a love letter to my smartphone.

The smartphone often gets a bad wrap; even I find myself getting frustrated when I have to fight for attention from this bundle of electronics, and I know that my loved ones feel the same about my use. Since the iPhone opened up the world to a new way of using a phone – which rarely involves actual phone calls – we’ve seen a change in the way we live. The intricacies of the human condition continues to be investigated to make sure each app grips our attention; they are now an addictive fashion statement, where people state their allegiance to Android or Apple. There is a serious side to the digital world, where digital addiction is a real issue. But, for today I want to take a light-hearted moment to celebrate how my smartphone has helped me over the past year.

At times when we have been literally cut off from the world, the activities that sustain us and the people we love, my phone has become more than just a monthly expense or a distraction. It has enabled me to connected, helped me with my mental and physical well-being and aided me to keep my business going whilst my time is limited.

The level of interaction with it came as a revelation during a recent online class, as part of Safer Internet Day. As part of my youngest’s education into “An internet we trust”, we were challenged to compare our digital footprint. As I started listing all the ways I interact with the internet, it made me think about why I use them, not just how. Having two children who are firmly digital natives, who have been born and being raised surrounded by the technological that MY generation has needed to grow into, I’ve come to love what I initially fought against. Seeing the list of my digital footprint made me think about how much positivity it has brought into my life, especially over the past twelve months.

17 reasons to love my smartphone:

• I keep in touch with friends and family across the globe
• Allowed me to work when my laptop has been commandeered.
• Enabled my youngest to learn (thanks teams)
• My competitive side is supported by the steps counter
• Podcasts to keep me company during those walks!
• Libby app so I can read when money is tight
• Kindle for always having book close to me
• Instagram, especially finding small businesses to support for Christmas, birthdays and special occasions
• Search engine for news, and to help me work out all the new teaching phases from the primary school
• ALL4 to rediscover the entire seven series of Buffy the Vampire Slayer
• Camera and picture reel to store and see photos & comical memes
• Social media to make new business connections
• Goodreads to keep track of all the books I have read, and want to read
• Sonos app to stream music for house discos!
• The weather app to give me a heads up about the chance of rain for ANOTHER walk
• Pokemon Go to encourage the youngest to leave the house
• A map when I get lost “exploring” in the local nature reserve

Whilst we all know that a smartphone can be an unhealthy distraction; we are all working on being more present and to avoid doom scrolling. However, when you know what you can use from the phone, and notice the pleasure if can bring you and those around you, all of a sudden it becomes a tool that enhances your life. And for that, and 17 other reasons, I am writing a love letter to my smartphone.

What do you love about yours?

Come along to Creating a Career to Enjoy to join in with the conversation.