Are smartphones really a blessing?

Let's be real: I've been thinking about getting rid of my smartphone since I first got it (a little more than a year ago).  I've had issues with it (serious issues; like, factory reset every 2-3 months because it fails so bad and they can't fix it issues) since I first got it despite the fact I generally use it for navigation, facebook, e-mail, babycenter debt free board, and notalwaysright dot com (too funny to pass up).  I don't do crazy stuff on there, but have had more issues than anyone else I've known.  So...  I finally took the plunge.  It took a long time of going back and forth, but I no longer have a smartphone (well, I'm testing it out for a few days before I fully commit).

My first thought was: wow this is ancient!  I didn't go out and buy a three hundred dollar boring phone.  That's ridiculous.  Instead I got a rockin almost decade old phone.  Hey.  At least it has qwerty, which was my only requirement (and that it sends and receives calls routinely...and I was also hoping it takes decent pictures).

The entire time I had a smartphone, *despite* trying to make a point not to be on it all that often, I felt like I was constantly pulled in different directions.  It became habit to check facebook at least three times a day (often more when I was bored or wanted to procrastinate).  It was way too easy to get sucked into an online community and miss what was going on with the boys.  I wasn't *always* on it or anything, but it still felt like way too much.  Sure, it was crazy nice to have navigation (my main reason for wanting it).  And it was nice not to have to power up my computer each time I wanted to shoot a quick message to a friend...but I can't really say I feel like it was worth it.  I oftentimes felt semi-guilty when I was pidaddling on my phone as the boys were playing in the other room or when they were napping and I could get doing so much more productive things.  Don't get me wrong: I know I'm a do'er, not a be'er and I've been working really hard to allow myself to just *be* sometimes.  But I felt like the balance was still being thrown.  Instead of go-go-going all the time, I kept feeling like I *should* be checking in on the phone.  It makes no sense, but that's how the back of my mind was working.

So we'll see how I feel in a few days, but for now I'm both semi-sad I won't be as connected to the outside world and also somewhat freed.  More books (I imagine) will happen in my off time.  Hopefully I'll finally get and keep the table and counters cleared.  Projects around the house.  Playing trains with the boys.  Conversations and whatnot with The Hubs.  Let's see if it's as freeing in a couple of days as it feels right now.  (Note: I am nervous about getting lost a lot again.  I still got lost when using the GPS but now I'm afraid I'll forget to print directions or am going to follow directions wrong again...  I'm also nervous when I'm trying to meet up for playdates and whatnot.  Everyone always converses through facebook so I may end up being screwed on that one.  There have been many times where I get to the park, etc and five minutes before meeting time, they'll message on facebook saying that they won't make it.  I'm not looking forward to that happening but waiting longer than normal...)  So we shall see.  Here's hoping it both frees up some energy and time and money to focus more on myself and my family again.