A couple of months ago, I had a visit to a hospital. Sitting in the hospital waiting area for long hours is one of the most irritating experiences one may counter. During such hours we need a companion so that our time may be passed without causing us annoyance.
In this digital age, smart phones are readily available and offer a variety of entertainment and productivity options. I had my mobile phone with me at that day. I had thought that I would subscribe data package if waiting took me too long. (Usually I don’t have data package in my mobile as cable network connection with a router is installed at my home. I only subscribe for data packages when I am away from home).
When I received the receipt of the doctor’s visit I realized that I was the last patient in the queue. It meant I had to wait for three to four hours. It transcripts that I was badly in a need of internet connection. Instantly I opened the keypad of my mobile and dialled the subscription number.
Lo, the wahala! I didn’t have enough balance in my account to activate the subscription. There was any nearby shop from where I could buy a balance card. There was money in my mobile banking app but how could it work without an internet connection.
I wondered what I would be doing sitting aimlessly on the cold metallic chair of the waiting area. I don’t have any game installed in my mobile so that I might play something. Playing games feel like the waste of time to me so I never keep any in my device.
I explored my mobile to look for the useful activities that could be done. First, I deleted useless images and documents. Then I opened MS word editor to write something but I couldn’t develop enough focus that was needed for a write up.
Suddenly, a solution to the problem came to my mind. I sent a text message to my brother and asked him to recharge my number. He sent the amount to my number within a few minutes and then I was able to subscribe the data package .
Usually the package I subscribe provide bigger data for lower price but that day it was unavailable. I went for a subscription that provided quite lesser data at a higher rate. I spent the next two hours reading and commenting on Hive.
In the contemporary era, smartphones have undeniably become an indispensable facet of our daily existence. A significant portion of the populace has found themselves ensnared by their allure. However, that particular day I had to ask myself if smartphones are autonomously capable of causing the addiction or it is the internet connection that works as the catalyst.
Had I been aware of the unavailability of internet connection that day, I would have taken a book with me. Books that align with my interest have the power to draw me away from my mobile phone, regardless of its internet connectivity. The tactile experience of flipping through the pages of a book is quite amazing. It is different from scrolling on a digital device. The scent and texture of paper create unique reading experience , free from distractions like notifications, allowing me to immerse myself in an imaginary world crafted by the text.
Another facet that has the potential to draw me away from mobile phone is engagement in organizational and cleaning activities within my home.
About an year ago, I bought a new mobile phone. In the mean time some changes happened in the house that gave me the opportunity to organize the space as I wished. For more than two weeks I didn’t give any time to the new arrival but remained involved in renovating the home.
Tidying up, cleaning and creating order are the activities that not only serve a practical purpose but also give a sense of accomplishment. After performing these activities when I look around myself a sense of satisfaction resides within me. All the tiredness fades away.
Digital realm, with all its convinces cannot replicate the tranquillity and gratification that derives from manual tasks. In fact, when I am tired of constant screen engagement, I seek solace in the realm of organizational or cleaning endeavours.
These activities not only restore order and refreshment in my surroundings but also help revitalizing my mind. These moments of manual labour and thoughtful organization lead me to rediscover the dormant creativity that lies beneath the surface, waiting for the keen attention to emerge.
At the end, I would say that mobile phone with its innumerable conveniences has become an integral part of our lives, however, the digital realm can never equate the physical needs of the physical body we keep. In order to retain harmony, there is a need to create balance between physical and digital life. We should seek activities other than screen that bring joy and satisfaction to us.
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