Put your phone down and read this (Oh, just kidding, you’re probably reading this on your phone. Well, ignore that Snapchat you just got for a moment and keep scrolling): Imagine an entire month without your cell phone.
I’m guessing your soul just kind of shuddered at that thought.
Have you ever really taken a moment to think about how much you use your cell phone, even if you have just an old-school flip phone?
After scrutinizing my own cell phone use, I’ve compiled a list of things most of us would have to do—or wouldn’t be able to do--if our cell phone was taken away…
1. Use a landline or phone booth
Yeah, you’re going to have to actually type in numbers to call someone, not just press a green button. If you want to talk to your mom while on campus, either email her or wait in line to use a phone booth.
2. Make plans in person
No more texting your buddy to meet up for lunch. Either make plans the night before or hope you see him to ask if he’d like to grab a bite to eat.
3. Drive a car without any way to contact someone immediately
Unless you’re lucky and have a phone booth near the wreck site, you’re stranded if you get in an accident.
4. Memorize phone numbers or write them down
You can’t just hand your crush your phone for them to punch in their number. You’re going to have to actually write it down and save it or memorize it.
5. Wait to read emails until you open your laptop
In my opinion as a student, this would be extremely stressful because I don’t like responding to emails later than a few hours and I’m not on my laptop all the time.
6. Cease Snapchatting
You will never know that your friends are up to unless you’re with them or they tell you… which is called a story. A real life story.
7. Make notes and write reminders on paper
No more typing your grocery list on your phone or making an alarm on your phone’s calendar. Keep a pencil behind your ear and a planner in your pocket.
8. Use a radio to set an alarm
You no longer have one device doing the work of four other devices.
9. Listen to music on an iPod or an MP3 player
Remember those? Maybe some of you even still have your CD players (I have mine!). Yeah, that’s the only way you can listen to music on your run or on your way to class.
10. Read and talk to people more
You won’t be able to sit and scroll through Instagram while you wait for class to start so either do your homework or talk to the person beside you. You also won’t be able to scroll one last time through Twitter before you go to bed, so reading may become a hobby that helps you fall asleep.
So, how was it? Does life without a cell phone sound scary to you? I challenge you to go a day, a week, or, if you're really feeling heroic, a month without having your face stuck to your phone's screen.
