I have done a remarkably terrible job of keeping up this blog/diary/journal, I apologize, dear diary. However, I have made mental notes on my progress with this behavior change.
1. Before, it would have never crossed my mind to keep my phone in the backseat of my car or not within a hand's reach unless I was driving other people. Though I seem to have no concern for my safety and that of others on the road, I do care if I have passengers. However, now I do think twice (or thrice) about whether I'm going to leave my phone in my purse behind me or not. There are several factors that influence this decision.
2. If I'm already having a conversation, particularly with my boyfriend Kelby, I tend to be more inclined to keep the conversation going. I know that I should just put the phone down or tell him I'm about to drive since I know he'd understand completely. Lately though, I've taken the route of simply not responding as that is the nature of texting; you can stop anytime and pick it back up again when you're ready. However, that isn't to say I don't read text messages...I don't write them...just kinda glance at them...
3. As a commuter, I can anticipate when traffic will be bad on 395 South on my way home. If I know it's bad, I usually keep my phone with me in the front seat because the cultural norm for my generation is to have a short attention span. Thus, dead stop traffic makes me reach for my phone. Also bad. A couple times I have had to throw my phone on the seat to fully focus my attention on the road.
4. As if I haven't had enough ways to cheat, I have also taken to picking up my phone at stop lights. It's my reward to myself for not texting while actually driving. There have only been two instances I remember where I was a few seconds late at reacting to a green light because I was into my phone. Again, bad.
5. Some people are easier to ignore than others so there are times when it's really not difficult at all. Today was good! I heard the little buzzer go off and I didn't reach back for it. It's probably because I was too busy singing and didn't want to be bothered.
6. I am capable of not texting or having my phone near me. There are times when I load up my car before a commute or trip and I actively think, "No, I will not bring my phone with me right now. I can be without it. I could get into an accident if I do." To be truthful, I hardly think of the potential for an accident. My level of perceived susceptibility and severity are rather low
In conclusion, I am still wandering around Prochaska's Stages of Change. There are great days when I'm text free and not so great days because I'm enthralled in some conversation that could wait. I am definitely more aware of my phone usage in the car after this semester. My classmates made me very aware that the subjective norm regarding texting is that it's a no-no while driving amongst themselves and any self-respecting citizen of this great country. Oh I am completely aware that texting while driving is looked down upon. I am still struggling with my need to text but I am determined to stop because I know I shouldn't. I know I put myself and the lives of others in danger by texting regardless whether I think it won't happen to me. No message is so important that it can't wait 15, 20, 45 minutes to be answered; if it were, they would call. TEXT CAN WAIT!
LRH
