Yes, you read that right. My iPhone storage is at its max and I can no longer take pictures, download apps, and everything loads EXTREMELY slow. But, on the other hand, my heart is actually fuller. I am no longer reaching for my phone to take meaningless pictures of something I will never actually go back and review. All of my apps have to be redownloaded manually so now I can see which ones I use frequently and can therefore delete ones left sitting dormant. These last few weeks (or months … I’m not keeping count) have been quite peaceful.
Remember the days when phones were JUST phones and only used for calling and texting and maybe a game or two? I’m talking about the “Snake” and “Tetris” era. Photos were printed at Walgreens and kept in albums. Those were the days. People conversed in person and made real life memories. That is what this whole storage situation has me thinking about. I am not in a rush to get a new phone. As a matter of fact, getting new phones is a part of what has me in this predicament to begin with. Every time I purchase another phone, my photos can be transferred over essentially leaving with significantly less storage to start with, even though I always buy a new phone with more storage than the last. It’s a hamster wheel.
Nowadays, I keep my phone tucked away and live my life in the moment. I am more present with my children. I have deeper conversations with my spouse. I’ll admit that TikTok is still a nighttime distraction and social media as a whole is a work in progress. Not being able to take pictures to post helps a ton, but following others can feel like an endless roadway. It’s all a process in this day and age. Technology is all the rage and does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon. It’s hard to keep up but I feel like I am forced to. There are podcasts where I hear about other moms taking a complete technology and social media hiatus. They even go as far as having a “dumb” phone. It’s commendable, especially for those who have businesses and/or entrepreneurial ventures. It seems impossible to stay relevant without the use of social media and other forms of modern communication, but I’ve seen many prove me wrong.
After hearing about devices like Aro where their focus is to turn screen time into family time by creating a ritual / habit of putting them (devices) into a box, it’s hard not to pay attention to the time we are losing connecting with screens instead of our families. As a mother of six, aged 13 to infant, I can see how precious my time is. Yes, pictures are important but the memories we make are what I want us to remember. Having regular family photos is nice, and my handy Nikon gets taken out when I’m well prepared for an event. However, I’m not sure what I will do when my baby girl starts walking and I reach for my phone and can’t record!
