Battling addictions: Day 0 of not texting while driving

“…According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), five distracted seconds at a speed of 55 mph is the same as driving an entire length of a football field with your eyes shut” (Forbes)

***

No alcohol for months now — you know my story of abstinence if you’ve been following me. I wasn’t addicted! But when you have a decades-long habit, it’s not easy to change your lifestyle and identity. It takes time and patience. In my experience, rigid goals don’t work. Reducing drinking and eventually removing it completely was a gradual process for me, lasting well over a year. I’m very happy now with my new alcohol-free identity.

Onto texting. I can’t overstate how bad this habit of mine is. By ‘bad,’ I mean it’s not only a terrible, dumb, and irresponsible behavior, but it’s also deeply ingrained in my brain. It’s not uncommon for me to use my phone while on a highway.

I’ve done it for many years. I promised my wife and mother to stop doing it but never kept my word. When they are in the car, I try to control myself. I still check my phone but I avoid texting.

The habit is like a virus. I can’t control my impulse so it’s like an addiction. Nothing in my personal or professional world will stop functioning if I check my emails less often and postpone replying to texts or emails but I still do it while driving. I reply, and I compose messages. I check social media. I check Medium, damn it! Yes, while…