So I am waiting at the repairs to pick up my phone and thinking to myself, now do I really need my phone? I survived two weeks sans the gadget, in fact I managed pretty well or rather better without my smart phone; I achieved more than I would on a normal day. I painted and sewed and packed and cleaned, and even experienced some guilt free mornings window-shopping without having the constant urge to check my phone for messages or missed calls. So why was I glad to get it back, or was I ??

Recent ups and downs, more downs than ups had seen me take my phone to bed and check my Whatsapp for messages at 3.00 am. And I couldn’t have been more thankful for Facetime and Skype on my phone for I have not missed out on any close contact with my family, some very unforgettable and personal moments. But since I am not looking for any such similar updates, perhaps the need for the smart phone is not as much.

I seemed to be enjoying this newfound freedom, freedom from reaching for my phone for the nth time and checking the weather or listening to music, freedom from the compulsion of checking for Facebook or Whatsapp updates. Did I miss much, no not really, and honestly I can live without Trump’s tweets or the unimpressive Brexit drama.

Constant distractions of modern day life come with the cacophony and mindless chatter of social media and instant messaging that one easily gets lost and consumed by the noise and humdrum making it rather difficult to concentrate or stay on the job.

May be not on the same lines as the famous lyrics of the popular ‘Simon & Garfunkel’ song, nevertheless silence does help one get their perspective back. So if you are looking to remain on track and complete the job or focus on the necessary or finish that assignment then lose your tablets, your smart phones and your headsets and experience the powerful ‘sound of silence’.