The first step is admitting you have a problem

My name is Briony, and I'm a media junkie.

Most of my waking hours are spent connected to one form of technology or another.  I wake up to the alarm on my iPhone, and as I'm coming to, check my email.  Somewhere between bed and the bathroom my morning app routine starts.  As I brush my teeth, I open one of my favorite Hollywood gossip apps (no judgement!), then check the Wichita Eagle for the morning news.  On my way back to the bedroom post-shower I check the Accuweather forecast so I can choose something resembling a seasonal ensemble.  I tell myself this is the modern-day equivalent to reading the morning newspaper before work.

I work an office job, so I'm in front of the computer all day.  As I eat breakfast at my desk I check my work and personal email, and then cruise over to Facebook to peruse the latest in posts and status updates.  My friends have come to expect my morning updates, which are usually themes: Question of the Day, Mispronounced Word of the Day, etc.  Throughout, my iPhone sits next to me, sometimes buzzing with texts and always alerting me to my replies.  I tell myself this is my virtual water cooler.

From 8-5 I'm tied to my work email and on breaks or while I'm on hold (or, when just plain goofing off...you do it too!) check some favorite websites.  News sites, Facebook, fashion blogs, Facebook, stores I like and Facebook.  I don't like to check my bank balance on my work computer to see if I have enough "fun money" for something I want, but I have an app for that!  I tell myself this saves much time and gas.

I do attempt to disconnect after coming home.  Some days are more successful than others.  The iPhone usually stays in my bag in the bedroom while I let the dogs out and spend time outside with other animals.  The insulation in the barn doesn't allow me to receive texts or most calls, which I enjoy.  There are, however, people who make me feel guilty about this, particularly my grandma.  Grandma believes that anyone who owns a cell phone has it permanently attached to their hip and worries if I don't answer.  When I call her back, I also hear again that I need to set up my voicemail.  Failing to have voicemail on my iPhone is my favorite act of techno-rebellion.  I know most people who call me and despise voicemails that consist of either, "Hi, this is ____________, call me back!" or a long, drawn-out story that I'd rather hear in real time.  I tell myself that this time is what keeps me from being too tied down to technology.

I've just started a full-time, online bachelor's degree program, so my evenings are usually spent working on my laptop.  I listen to lectures, respond to message board questions, research for assignments, type papers, and compose blog posts.  Compared to this activity, time spent reading textbooks seems rather serene and quaint.  Through this all, I'll usually have a text conversation running.  I tell myself that texting allows me to multitask, and that if I were to do it old-school and actually talk on the phone, I would have to choose between maintaining friendships and schoolwork.

When I total up and consider the time I spend on media daily, it's a bit surprising and quite conflicting for me.  I don't like being expected to always be "there," but I do like always having technology and media there for me.  I'm proud of the fact that I don't play online games or own a video game system.  I use Facebook only to socialize with people I know, as I have no interest in having contact with someone I don't know in real life or need to interact with for work or school.  I resisted owning a smartphone until my travel schedule finally made it too inconvenient for me not to have one.  Now, it is a large part of my day.  The ability to multitask saves me a lot of time that I can use to work harder, study harder, or play harder.  At least, I tell myself this.