I was reading this blogpost from Styleberry blog and found
it very interesting.
This blogger made some rules for herself, so that she would spend
more time with her kids without her phone. I was writing a comment with the
things I do, but it became such a long comment, that I decided to write some
more and turn it into a blogpost.
I recognize myself in not wanting to use my phone every
second, especially when spending time with someone. Not
instagramming/facebooking/texting while you’re with friends.
Having an Iphone is great, but I always feel a lot of
pressure. "Did you see my text, why didn't you respond to my mail/text/fb
message, bla bla."
And then there’s our business. I don’t know why, but people
expect you to be available 24 hours a day. I run a business, but I’m a human
being too. I’ve got opening hours too. And even after the crazy hours, also a
life...
But I won’t lose my mind over this. I refuse to. So I made
myself some rules.
1. No notifications
of social media or anything else on my iPhone.
I only see notifications when I open the apps, and it makes
it more fun (like opening a present haha).
Work emails do not come in on my
iPhone. I work every day in the office, so then I respond my work emails/calls
on my computer. And with that, I'm fast, making sure the communication is smooth.
2. I do not respond
to texts from clients or employees.
Call me or email me, texting is not done. Some things cán wait. Even if they
seem very important.
I’ve heard this one a couple of times:
“You have an
Iphone, so you got my email when I sent it, and you should respond
immediately!”
Wow.
See rule nr 1.
3. Texts come in
without sound or buzzing.
I love this one. No annoying sounds. And I love the feeling of seeing new texts on the screen.
Let's be honest, we check our phone so often, why the huge
alarm when getting a text?
And I also respond when I have time. No pressure.
4. No
instagramming/facebooking/texting when I'm with friends.
We can do that later. Nothing is more stupid than having dinner with your friends,
and everyone is staring at their iPhones. Constantly reading the loudly incoming
messages. Responding while talking and eating. Big no no in my opinion.
Sidenote: I make sure
people know how I communicate, so it’s always clear en not (too) frustrating. AND,
I don’t expect others to be available every minute and don’t expect people to
reply me immediately. Give to others what you'd like to receive from the world.
Via Pinterest |
I realize that a lot of people don’t agree on all the things
above. Why have an iPhone, but not “use it properly”?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m still an iPhone addict! I love
posting Instagrams, love reading Facebook timelines and call & text a lot with my friends and family. But I don’t
need the pressure of doing it NOW. I like to use my phone the way I want to, so
it keeps me sane. And keeping myself sane is more important to me, than responding
to every little thing as soon as possible.