The other day I was sitting in the hair salon, I was ushered to the sink to get my hair washed. As I lay back to have my hair washed I noticed a sudden switch and angst of not having my phone, the lovely hair stylist was washing my hair nattering away and I could feel myself feeling more and more anxious, what was going with my emails? how was my latest Instagram post doing? I just couldn’t relax.

I was so consumed with my thoughts I totally missed the head massage (my favourite part). As I hurried back to my phone I found nothing there. I looked in the mirror and saw a phone addict staring back.

I reflected on this and realised I spend around 8-12 hours on my phone every day. Granted it’s pretty much all for work, but these long hours have made me overly attached and an utter addict. I love what I do and will never dismiss the beauty and power of the internet and social media, but i have become a slave to my phone.

You might be reading this and feel like you relate to this too; if your phone is often the last thing you look at night and the first thing in the morning. I look around and see couples looking at their phones more than staring lovingly into each other’s eyes.

We think we’re connected to the world yet we are more disconnected that ever.

I have set new rules on myself. I will leave my phone from 6pm to 8am. No phones in the bedroom, after work or first thing in the morning. I had my first night last night and it felt weird. I went to dinner with my dad and on my way home I didn’t do my usual, email, Instagram, fb and twitter check, instead I spent quiet time thinking about my day and slept better than ever.

I will continue to use email on my phone but only when I need to not continuously refreshing pages to search for more likes, more emails and more connection.

The connection I need is around me with my friends, boyfriend and wonderful family.

Take action now: Are you an addict, set timings on your phone, leave it in your handbag at the door, use apps, social and email mindfully when you are using it, absorption it and enjoying it rather than to seek validation.