9 Signs That You Are Addicted to Your Smartphone & What to Do About It. Written by Karina Cebuliak for The Social Chicks. @thesocialchicks

1. 9 Signs
That You Are Addicted to
Your Smartphone
Karina Lauren Cebuliak • 2015.09.24

2. Number 9
You know how your friends and
family are doing based purely on
their social media posts.
In extreme conditions, you don’t
actually talk to them anymore, you
simply comment on their posts.

3. Number 8
When you’re out in nature, taking a bath, eating a meal, petting
a cat, watching a sunrise, you obsess about capturing the
moment in a photo and posting it.
In extreme conditions, you take yourself out of the moment to
ensure that you do just this and post it right there and then
thus missing the moment.

4. Number 7
When you have alone time, the first
thing you do is hang out with your
phone.
In extreme conditions, it’s the only
thing you do.

5. Number 6
You feel lost or empty when
you forget your phone
somewhere.
In extreme conditions, you
can’t focus or function when
you don’t have it.

6. Number 5
You check your phone during your child’s
performance or game.
In extreme conditions, you’re on it while she/he
is actually singing/dancing/playing…sometimes
the whole time!

7. Number 4
You check it while driving because
you can’t wait that extra fifteen to
twenty minutes it will take to reach
your destination.
In extreme conditions, you find that
you have to respond to messages
right there and then while you are
driving.

8. Number 3
You bring it with you to bed (yes, I know, many people use it as an
alarm clock but surprisingly enough, there are actual clocks made
and sold as alarm clocks).
In extreme conditions, you check it after you kiss your partner
goodnight and it’s the very first thing you do after opening your
eyes in the morning.

9. You bring it with you to the bathroom.
In extreme conditions, you whip it out in public bathrooms
because you got a moment away from your dinner guest to
check what’s happening “out there”.
Number 2

10. Number 1
While your friend/child/spouse is talking, you’re wondering
how much longer it will take for them to finish so you can check
your phone.
In extreme conditions, you check it while they’re talking right
in front of them.

11. How Did You Do?
If you can relate to two or more of these, you may
have some issues and need some time away from
your phone.
It is easy for us to get attached to our phones because, on the other side,
there are people. It is in our nature to want to connect with others in a
loving and meaningful way. Being addicted or slightly obsessed with our
phone takes us out of the moment and we lose touch with what’s going on
inside of us. We disconnect from that creative flow and lose touch with
that face to face contact.
But wait, there is HOPE….

12. There is HOPE!
The Good News...
You are not alone. I wrote this because I’m guilty of all of them. The good
news is, there is hope for us. Here are 5 tips on what to do about it, along
with a shameless plug for Vicki Chick’s grounding and self-nurturing Joy of
Missing Out (aka #JOMO) retreat (I know it’s amazing because I attended
one last spring and got nothing but awesomeness out of it.

13. 5 Tips
On Recovering from
Smartphone Addiction

14. Number 5 Set boundaries for yourself. I’ve
heard people say, for example, that
they don’t allow their kids in the
bathroom while they’re using it but
boundaries only work if you stick
with them. Set boundaries like that
for your phone and then stick to
them. If it’s hard to remember
because these behaviours are so
ingrained, post up sticky-notes to
help remind you. Practice makes
perfect.

15. Number 4
Ask for help. If you’re concerned that you are in the extreme
and don’t see a way out, ask for help. Talk to a trusted advisor,
a counselor, a mentor, or your local clergy. There is always
help available when we reach out and ask for it.

16. Number 3
Once a week try doing something
without your phone. Lock your
phone away and get the paints or
your writing tools. Perhaps you’re a
hiker…get the boots out. Spend an
hour or two just letting the creative
flow through your body and notice
how you feel. Give time back to
yourself.

17. Number 2
Do you like to do things BIG? Go on a
digital detox. You can navigate
through one yourself. Check out
Rebecca Coleman’s article here on
tips.
The other solution is to go with a group,
go off the grid do an actual digital
detox retreat. This is where the
upcoming #JOMO Retreat would come
in handy.

18. Number 1
Take a week to notice your behaviours around your phone. Once you
are aware, make a plan with an accounta-buddy* to make a slight
change. This could be as simple as “I will not use my phone when my
child is talking to me”
*An accounta-buddy is someone that understands what you’re doing and supports you. We coined
the term in Vicki’s coaching groups for someone that will stand by you, check in with you, and
call you on your crap. They’re awesome.

19. 1
Awareness of a
possible problem
2
Acceptance that it is a
problem
3
Desire for change
4
Action. Make a plan &
put it into place.
5
Freedom from
constant Smartphone
checking. YAY!
5 Steps to Possible Freedom!

20. About Karina Karina is the lead designer, social media marketer
and trainer at the underground company,* Fox
Street Solutions Inc.
In her past, she spent 14 years at Kodak Graphics
Communications galavanting with customers and
teaching them complex software.
She is also a Social Chick who loves to Blab,
tweet, share, play hockey, and spend time with
her family.
Karina is an advocate for children and has a
desire to empower children and their parents
through service in meditation & play.
*What’s an “underground company”? It means we’re all word of mouth
at the moment; secretly building, growing, and developing in our Fox-
hole/Bat-cave. Need a website, logo, or training? Contact us at
karina@foxstreetinc.com