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Without Phone

I definitely have nomophobia. J has called me a wall-hugger given my propensity to plug my phone to airport walls even though I have a phone charger that is fully charged. Nothing short of phobia explains the behavior. This is like having a Plan D as a contingency when the first three fail. It seems like this particular phobia is a manifestation of some other unresolved issues the person has

What causes nomophobia, then? Well, first and foremost, phones. Mobiles are connected to the internet, making them highly addictive instruments. But it’s also possible that nomophobia could be a symptom of another addiction or anxiety.

Other anxiety is likely where things originate for me. I am yet to get used to the idea that J is an independent woman living her own life and a phone call from her is not a crisis that I need to dive in and solve. The calls tend to be about rather mundane things like an air-fryer recipe she is getting ready to try and has a question, which nail color I think would work best for her outfit or some such. There has not been a precedent of the kind of phone call that I am on hot standby for. If there is something more substantive to discuss, she will pre-arrange for a time to talk - these patterns have been established for a while and my brain is somehow slow to catch-up. 

But there are other anxieties like leaving the phone behind at home and driving. Losing the phone entirely is a whole another level of trouble. One of my co-workers had his identity stolen when he lost his phone and it took about six months to have things resolved - hearing him tell the story would make anyone nomphobic.

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