While going without a phone for a week was not something I intended on doing, I am thankful for the experience and the lessons it taught me about my personal internet addiction and society’s smartphone craze as a whole.
1. I use my phone a lot
I already was aware that I spent a lot of time on my phone, but it was incredible realizing how much time I had when I was only checking Facebook, email and GroupMe on my laptop for communication. Social media, texting and just general internet searching consumes so much of my time.
2. I rely on communication for security
I found myself reconsidering doing anything alone because I knew as soon as I left people with phones, I had no way of contacting anyone in case of an emergency. While it is always best to stay with others and have a way to contact people, there is no reason I should not walk 5 minutes across campus during the day. We have this mindset that we cannot leave our phones even for 2 minutes to go to the bathroom, and that is very excessive.
3. My phone is a jack of many trades
Alarm clock? Phone. Flashlight? Phone. Camera? Phone. GPS? Phone. Watch? Phone. While it is convenient to let one device do the work of many, it would be nice to have a back-up to a few of these things.
4. It is possible to survive a long car ride without a phone
A 6-hour car trip without a phone seemed nearly impossible, but time flies when you’re in good company. I definitely learned to live in the moment and spend time with the people physically around me during the week.
5. I use Google a lot
Not having constant access to Google was really inconvenient. I found myself wanting to look up directions, facts and other important information quite often. I rely heavily on the internet to answer my questions immediately rather than trying to remember things on my own.
6. I need to be better about solidifying plans
During the week, there were so many times where I had to frantically finalize plans to meet people before leaving my laptop (and only means of online communication). I am so used to spontaneously making plans and changing them which is too complicated. My phone enables that behavior, so I need to make a conscious effort to stop changing plans last-minute.
7. I am always late
Normally I just send a text apologizing for being a few minutes late and all is well, but without my phone I tried to force myself to be on time (this was met with mixed success). I do not even have a good reason to be late for things most of the time, but I use technology as a crutch to excuse myself when I should really just try to be better.
8. Studying is easier without a phone
I had two exams during my phoneless week and while I did not study longer without a phone, I studied with fewer interruptions. Even though I put my phone on ‘Do Not Disturb’ when I study, I still check it frequently for the time or end up on social media subconsciously. I have yet to find out if this impacted my grades, but I know it improved my efficiency.
9. It is refreshing not to be in constant contact with people
At first I felt very detached from the world, but then it became empowering. I secretly enjoyed not having a phone as a justification not to check email, Facebook or GroupMe all day. The incessant stream of messages and news demanding my attention could be reasonably ignored which gave me more time to do what I wanted and needed. On one of the days I only contacted one person via email the entire day. Every other interaction I had that day was face-to-face, which is incredible in this day and age.
10. Smartphones are not a necessity
This may come as a shock, but I am still alive and well after a week. The ability to go on the internet on the go is amazing, but it is not necessary. Instagram can wait until you get back home. GPS is awesome, but you’re better off learning your way around and not relying on it. The world existed before them and people did just fine. It may seem insane going without one in a world that has embraced them and ingrained them into everyday life, but I promise it is okay.
11. Face-to-face communication reigns superior
There is no substitute for interacting with the people around you. I spend so much time hiding behind a phone and living vicariously through other people on social media and via text, but the real memories and happiness are found when I ditch the phone and give the people in front of me my undivided attention. Living through a camera lens or Instagram filter just isn’t as fun or fulfilling.
