The VAR Guy has spent the past three years carrying around a Treo with mobile email support. During most holidays he frequently checked messages and was a slave to work.

This Christmas all that changed. He unplugged his Treo — for good — and made the switch to a traditional cell phone. No more mobile emails. The temptation to read email during family functions and holidays is gone. Granted, nobody was forcing The VAR Guy to live on email. But when you carry around a smart phone, you’re always tempted to check your inbox.

The day may come when The VAR Guy embraces a smart phone with mobile email again. But in the meantime, he’s put some balance back into his life.