One day, scientists will find a way to embed smartphones into our brains and then my life will be complete. As it is, if my phone isn’t actually in my hand, then it’s very, very close. If find that if I get separated from it, I feel anxious. That’s why I make sure it is always switched on, so that I can call it if it's out of sight and quickly get it back by my side.

And yet, when I started my so-called career, I used to do my PR job without my mobile best friend. How did I manage? Brrrr, it gives me shivers just thinking about it. You may think I am sad to be so obsessed with my phone. But when was the last time you switched yours off? And for how long exactly?

Here is why my BlackBerry is my most important companion (ssshhh … don’t tell the wife):

1. It gets me going from the moment I wake up. Before I had a smartphone, I would always push the snooze button as soon as the alarm went off. Now that I am woken up by my mobile’s alarm, I find that the lure of flashing messages lights gets my brain into gear straight away.

2. I never have to find something to read on the train. I just listen to a podcast. Or play a game, which is a workout for my fingers, so at least one part of me gets fit.

3. I am no longer bored at PR conferences and events. I join in the discussion on Twitter, and try and write something that gets pasted on the Twitter Wall so that I can see my name in print and feel like I’ve contributed something.

4. I can pretend to be working even when I’m skiving. As long as there is no giveaway background sounds (I do wish shops would stop playing such loud music), my clients need never know that I am miles away from the office when they call.

5. It cuts the amount of time I spend watching TV. Well, the TV is on, but I spend so much time joining in group discussions about the programme I am supposed to be watching, that I often miss all the good bits. But at least I can read about them.

6. It has helped me to give up smoking. Where before I used to reach for a fag, I now reach for my phone. I know that I am have replaced one addiction with another, but at least it’s not bad for my health. It’s just terrible for my relationships. Other people don’t appreciate it when I ignore them while they are talking because a certain little red light has started flashing. And unlike smoking, you don’t have to go outside and be unsociable. You can be unsociable anywhere.