No smartphone and I’m loving it

In response to the Washington Post article “How to break free?” in Saturday’s Dispatch, regarding smartphone addiction, I communicate the oldfashioned way: I speak directly with individuals on my flip phone. My personal time is important to me — I resent the intrusion of a smart(?) phone alerting me to another message. I am blissfully avoiding the stress of who is following me ( a stalker? a friend?).

I’m free from the drama of the wrong interpretation of a text or email or the obsession regarding whether someone “likes” me or not with whatever I have posted. No need for Facebook to share my life — it’s far more enjoyable to get together over coffee. It is disheartening though when I leave a short message on voicemail and I receive a call back “you called me, what do you want?” That means the caller is too busy, too lazy or too self-absorbed to have the consideration to listen to my voicemail.

In addition, I know I save considerable money not having to upgrade and purchase accessories for my phone, nor do I have the underlying stress of losing so much confidential information if my phone is lost or hacked.

I still have lots of friends who actually reach out and talk with me. I also sleep soundly each night.

As an added bonus, if I need directions, I can read a map.

Cynthia Alkire Columbus