I tweet like crazy. I blog (obviously). I keep Facebook up-to-date. I get excited about the new possibilities about social media campaigns.
And I own a flip phone. Or rather, I don’t own a flip phone, I refuse to use anything but a flip phone. I realize it dates me. It’s clunky (yea, it’s not even a Razor). And I’m sure my friends, and Mom, are probably tired of me calling them to look up an address because I’m lost and can’t remember where I’m supposed to go (they have become my Google Maps). But I still have no desire to power off my flip.
I’ve been throwing around a bunch of excuses over the years: It holds a great charge! If I lose it, my life’s not over! I get great service! But I’ve finally figured out the real reason I haven’t.
After reading Why I Refuse to Use a Smartphone on The Grindstone, I have finally learned that I don’t want one because I like my life and work balance. I check my work email far too much outside of the green/orange walls. But I do it on a computer. If I’m away from my place all day and you’re sending me emails, I’m not responding.
And it’s awesome.
It’s awesome to only have people calling you or texting you. And that’s it. It’s awesome to carry a phone that has limited capabilities ensuring I don’t spend my days with my head pointed down staring at a screen. And it’s awesome to see people’s faces and hear their comments upon finding out I still flip.
Sometimes I do feel like I’m missing out with the apps and what not, but then I think about how much I enjoy life by experiencing it, soaking it in, reading books on the way to work and not constantly freaking out that I left my phone at home.
The 1990s can keep calling, I’m not giving it up.
Hanna (Non)Tana 