Smart phones. Love them or hate them they are a big part of most people's lives. It's great to be connected sometimes, but constant online connection can also mean that our real life connections suffer. In an age where we are connected more and more with technology we can also feel more alone and subject ourselves to unrealistic comparisons of the online adventures of other people.

Holiday Heat - Tied to her Phone - explores this in a tongue-in-cheek and provocative way. Belle O'Hara is phone obsessed Tik and Luke Hardy Trev, her partner. The scene starts with the couple having breakfast on holiday with Tik way more interested in her phone than her real life company.

I think we have all been on one side of this scenario at least once haven't we? Lunch date checking their messages constantly? That feeling when you can tell that your friend is only half listening as their phone screen flashes? The ache to check your phone as it vibrates in your pocket while your friend is talking?

Hmmmm... But who can identify with the experience of having had such a good time that you didn't take any pictures and your phone runs out of battery without you even noticing? 

Back to our scene... Sometimes Trev thought that Tik loved her phone more than him. He thought perhaps that if her phone had a cock and a dark sense of humour, then he’d have been kicked to the kerb ages ago. On a trip away, he comes up with a plan to insert himself into her inbox, literally and figuratively when he takes a solo walk while she's busy with her phone.

Of course this lead to some suggestive selfies sent, and Tik is soon turned on and touching herself in anticipation, aching for real, not virtual, contact.

Trev returns and definitely succeeds in showing her the satisfaction and joy of a real life connection. 

Research on phone habits, especially bedtime phone habits, makes for depressing reading. In a recent study, 3 out of 4 Americans take their phones to bed with them and more than 30% say that their sex life suffers as a result. In the same study 93% admitted that their phone stays by their bed as they sleep. I know that I can be part of this statistic, and I also know that it isn't healthy. Screens last thing at night and first thing when we wake up? I am guilty, and especially as a singleton I do sometimes find myself making excuses for why I need my phone within arms reach 24 hours a day. As well as remembering times with ex-partners when I felt left out and lonely due to the attention they had on their phones. 

I feel that smartphones and the possibility of constant connectivity is a double edged sword. On one hand I can easily keep in touch with family and friends far and wide. On the other, I can observe my own reliance and sometimes mindless addiction to scrolling. On one hand we can make long distance relationships far easier and a feasible reality. On the other hand, real life connections are interrupted by constant notifications and even in company I can feel lonely when people's attention is constantly pulled towards their phone. 

There are countless positive and negative points of view, as well as the fact that we now live in a increasingly digital society, but I think we can all agree that there is something to be said, especially in romantic situations, for putting your phones aside and giving your partner your full attention. What can be more attractive than someone being 100% interested in you, and only you for the present moment?

Technology is a beautiful thing. As is connection. Real life connection perhaps the most beautiful of all. Something to ponder the next time you're on a date or chilling with a significant other. So much of the time our only phone free experiences are when there's no battery or no signal. But I truly believe that sometimes we should make that choice for ourselves by turning off our phones and just enjoying time with the people we love. 

Stay safe. Have fun. Issy x

P.S. If you'd like to see Luke Hardy's sexy selfies and some seriously hot IRL connection with Belle O'Hara then check out Tied to her Phone here x