This is a post by Fix The Toaster contributor Shannon Noel Webb on her struggle to stay away from her phone while driving. I love her honesty here.
Day # 1
Yesterday was my first full day of attempting to NOT text or check e-mails while driving. This must be what a heroin addict feels like on their first day of recovery. Not to make light of such a terrible addiction but holy cow I thought I would lose my mind, I even started to itch all over. Maybe that’s because I used a new detergent but still it was painful and I had nothing to distract me from the pain except, oh, I don’t know – FOCUSING ON DRIVING! I tried. I did.
See I signed a contract.
If I am anything, I am good to my word.
Or at least I thought I was.
I fell off the wagon at the first stop light. I was through two e-mails before I even realized what I was doing. What has become of me? How did this happen?
This constant need for constant communication is insane. This is my only quiet time during the day. Why am I using it to talk, tweet, text and e-mail? I should be listening to some Enya and turning my seat warmers on. (That just occurred to me and I will try it tomorrow) but yesterday I had to sit on my hands. Seriously, is anything THAT important that it cannot wait?
Maybe. I do have two small children, a father having surgery today and a good friend going in for a biopsy. BUT…why would I risk adding injury to injury by texting, typing or doing anything to distract me from the task at hand: driving my car safely to my destination?
Today is Day #2 and I think I will do better. I will keep you posted – WHEN I AM SAFELY AT MY DESK!