On the weekend of February 26th, I went on a sophomore retreat with Campus Ministry at my college. We were encouraged to leave our phones behind in our cabins. We challenged ourselves to be fully present. We were asked to forget about our life outside of this retreat, to focus on the people around us, and to be open to the experiences ahead of us.
Truthfully, this retreat, Lighthouse Retreat, is the first retreat I have ever attended. I was nervous. I wasn't sure what to expect. I was unsure of my decision to attend. I didn't think I would "get" anything out of it - after all, how much can a weekend away change anything?
A weekend away, 48 hours, can change a whole lot.
Without phones to pass the time and the inevitable moments of awkward silence, I challenged myself to talk to the people around me and to get to know others on a more personal level. These genuine, thoughtful conversations made me realize how much I relate to others, how easy it is for me to open up when I know other people care, and how lonely campus can be when our phones hold our attention more than our friends do. It is the relevant truth that we can stand outside a classroom of our peers waiting to begin class without uttering a word to each other.
We are constantly surrounded by people yet we can still feel very alone while at college. It is the feeling of being unnoticed, under-appreciated, misunderstood, unworthy, left behind, and ignored that drive our loneliness.
As human beings we desire love, understanding, and connection with others. Although technology has made humanity more connected and aware, it has had a detrimental impact on human relationships. We know all about what our high school friends are doing in college yet we cannot tell you about the person we sit next to in history class.
I cannot imagine living without technology at my finger tips. It is definitely something I take for granted every day. However, spending forty-eight hours without my cell phone, the internet, and social media allowed me to reconnect with nature and my mind. Being away in the woods with little cell phone reception, gave me the opportunity to reflect on my thoughts and feelings. I realized who and what have been making me unhappy. I recognized how many things I have repressed because it is easier to forget than deal with things that upset me. I realized what I want to prioritize. I also realized some of the things which made me indescribably happy. I found myself by disconnecting from the digital age.
So I ask you to imagine how forty-eight hours without your phone can change you?
I challenge you to try it. After all, how bad can it be?
