2 years ago, for the first time in about 20 years, I went without a cell phone completely. I simply used an old fashioned answering machine at home...checked my messages regularly—and, had a very peaceful social life away from home.
I did get a smart phone finally last year. I use a cheap T-mobile plan. I don’t check email on the phone (too small to look at!), and I make a point of not fiddling with the phone when there are people to talk with present. So far, so good. And I notice a lot of people are getting more social....NOT being slaves to their phones.
Some business people are still slaves—and are rude and interrupting because of that (why are all calls more important than the present conversation?) with a blue-tooth stuck in their ear. However, I’m noticing more and more people are not using their phone for everything, all the time....it just takes discipline now, to be courteous.
I had a cell phone for about two months and let it go. Haven’t missed it a bit and n plans to get another.
I have a computer and landline phone that is sufficient for what I desire to be “connected to”.
I talked with a volunteer fireman who stopped by who had three phones....one for family, another for work and a third for emergencies. He said he’d like to be unhooked as it seems one or the other of his phones are always ringing.
I enjoy being unhooked....more importantly choosing when I want to engage in real time and otherwise.