Living my life by an app

Natasha Harding, 43, set out to discover: is there anything you CAN’T do on your smartphone?

- NATASHA HARDING

Taking photos, updating social media and catching up on work emails are just some of the tasks we do everyday using our mobile devices. We also shop online, use the GPS for directions and keep in touch with loved ones, never more so than during the coronavirus outbreak.

But can you swipe all life’s tasks away using an app? Before COVID-19 hit UK shores and the nation went into lockdown, I decided to find out by taking on the challenge for seven days, armed with only my smartphone.

MONDAY

My 13-year-old son Zak’s room looks like a bomb site, with his school stuff and clothes strewn everywhere. The desk I’ve ordered from Argos arrives, and, at 12pm, the local handyman, Scott, who I booked via TaskRabbit, comes over to put it together. While he’s here, I ask him to move Zak’s TV, too, and put up a light. Zak’s room looks much better.

Planning what to eat for the week is a thorn in my side every day, but recipe delivery service Gousto made it simple. I’ve ordered dinner for four nights, and all the ingredients are delivered straight to our door. I tackle the katsu curry recipe, and it doesn’t take long to whip up. Judging by the silence around the dinner table, there are no complaints from my husband, Paul, 50, Zak, and daughter Lexi, six.

TUESDAY

I realise it’s my niece’s birthday on Thursday. I order a card and gift via Moonpig. It took less than two minutes and I personalised the card with some photos. Feeling smug, I set a reminder so I’ll get notified before her birthday next year.