How My Apple Watch Keeps Me from being a Social Media Addict

For my birthday, this past August, I received an Apple Watch from my husband as a gift.

He knew it was on my wish list but I didn’t make a hard plea for it because I was secretly nervous to own one.

Why?

Because I run 7 different social media accounts (one account for my business and 6 other social media accounts for my social media management company.)

To say I have boundary issues with technology in an understatement.

I have to keep my social media usage in check daily, if not hourly.

If I don’t, I will become a zombie, owned by Mark Zuckerberg.  I will morph into the App and Facebook will become the evermore powerful human in the relationship if I don’t keep an eye on it.

I regularly delete my personal FB app on my phone because it’s the only alternative to burning it.

The struggle is real.

Sidenote:  This post contains affiliate links which means I earn a small percentage when you purchase products using the links in this post.  The amount of money doesn’t even equal a tank of gas, so I’m not rolling in dolla dolla bills or anything, but every little bit helps me keep providing you with great content.  

Before I get into all of the reasons why my Apple Watch has helped me develop a much healthier relationship with the interwebs I want to explain which watch I got, how much it cost, the watch band I chose, and all that jazz.

I am explaining this to you because these are all of the questions I wondered before buying one but I could not find any information online about it.  Most of the articles were from tech dude blogs.  Which are great if you are a tech dude.  But I am a Mom, trying to run my business and not let it run me.  And I want to spend LESS time online and spend MORE time with my kids.  I think I do a pretty darn good job  staying present when I’m with my kiddos but I think about social media more than what is a probably considered a healthy amount.

This is the information I wish would have been explained to me during the research of my conversion to a walking dead social media junkie or not. 

The Apple Watch comes in two watch face sizes, 38mm and 42mm.  I received the 38mm because I am 5’1 and my hands are the size of a small child.  I was worried the larger 42mm would look like an oversized Flavor Flav clock on my meager wrist.

My husband bought my watch at the Apple Store.  I have since noticed that Macy’s also carries the Apple Watch (you can find it here), which might be a better choice because they have coupons and discount codes you can take advantage of.  If you haven’t noticed the Apple Store never runs sales.

Scott chose to buy me a Gold Tone aluminum case because I mostly wear gold jewelry.  Good call babe.

The aluminum case (the actual watch part) comes in a bunch of different colors, black, gray, aluminum, gold, and rose gold.

Each watch comes with a standard plastic-type band.  Plastic is not a good word for the band description, so here is what Apple says about the watch band – which is way better than my low-end plastic description: “Made from high-performance fluoroelastomer, the Sport Band is durable and strong, yet surprisingly soft. The smooth, dense material drapes elegantly across your wrist and feels comfortable next to your skin. An innovative pin-and-tuck closure keeps the end of the band neatly secured.”

My 38mm gold iWatch came with the Antique White band.  It wasn’t terrible but it did stain easily (I paint furniture for heaven’s sake).  I have since noticed it is no longer an option at purchase.  I am guessing this is one of the reasons why Apple discontinued the Antique White band color.

Snow & Graham 2017 Planner   |  Anthropologie Homegrown Monogram Mug

I quickly bought a fancier, replacement band because a.) I’m so fancy, you already know. 2.) The antique white band had a stain.

I purchased this gold glitter leather band off of Amazon for $29.99.

A few other contenders were this turquoise floral band for $17.00

Or this Leopard Print version for $16.99.

Since I received my Apple Watch in August, Apple has released a Series 2 version of the Apple Watch.  I have a Series 1 and have no desire to upgrade to the next version.  Here Apple explains the difference in the two.  But my opinion is the release of the 2nd version made the first version price go down – so go for the cheaper one!

Sugar Paper Document Envelope in Blush   |  Floral Ball Point Pen

So how has an Apple Watch reeled in my social media time?

I almost rarely pick up my actual phone.

You know the scenario:   You pick up your phone to check for an email you are waiting on  and pretty soon you are looking at your bank balance, trolling IG, bouncing over to FB to dive into a Buzzfeed article on Bralettes for Big Boobs (which I don’t even have big boobs and is not relevant to me in any way whatsoever but still I NEED TO KNOW THIS INFORMATION…)

The next thing I know,40 minutes of my day has been wasted. During that 40 minutes kids have put my Lipsense Lipstick all over their faces.   You know, that lipstick that is super long wearing and you can wear all day long without reapplying.

Since the Lipsense WOULD NOT COME OFF after a major scrub down with makeup remover, baby oil, and alcohol wipes, I was forced to explain to my 2 year old’s pediatrician that afternoon during his well baby check that NO THAT IS NOT BLOOD OR A CUT ON MY BABY’S FACE.

Please don’t call child protective services one me.

Please.

I’m just a mom, with a phone, who needs to know about big boob bralettes and enjoys wearing long lasting red lipstick.

With my Apple Watch, if my iPhone rings, I look at my watch to see if it’s important.  If it is, I can answer the phone directly from my watch.  If it’s something that can wait I send it to voicemail.  No digging it out of my purse or running to the kitchen, only to see it’s CVS reminding about my prescription refill, and once again I am down the rabbit hole of Huffington Post articles and #mylifeisfreakingperfect BS Facebook posts.

If a text message dings on my watch and I can either ignore it because I’m playing with my kiddos or hit a button and quickly respond to it verbally.

If I misplace my phone in my house – which happens 918 times every day – the Apple Watch can ping your phone so you can easily find it.

I has replaced my FitBit and does all the things Fit Bit does and a ton more when it comes to tracking my food, steps, and workouts.

I don’t have any social media apps installed on my Apple Watch.  I don’t have any email apps either.

I use the very basics when it comes to my Apple Watch and I love it that way.  It’s by far one of the healthiest relationships I have developed in 2016.