40 days. 40 days is all it took for my life to become so much clearer. In a generation so indulged in technology, it is hard to live in the moment. I sit and I see people living their life through their phones. People live in this "if I didn't document it, it didn't happen" lifestyle and it becomes consuming and takes over. 

People do not realize the amount that they miss because they are watching concerts, parades, and speeches through the screen of their phone by recording it when it is right in front of them. They are missing the in-person experience and its a shame.

With that being said lent swooped right around the corner and took me away before I was even ready for it. For the past 2 lent seasons I had been wanting to give up my smartphone but its really hard to downgrade a phone nowadays. It was Wednesday, February 10, when I was standing in the middle of Walmart and said screw it, called my dad and asked him what prepaid flip-phone was the best bang for my buck (what can I say, I am a college student). 

Who knew this last minute, out of nowhere decision, was going to change my life... Without further ado, here is why giving up my smartphone was the best decision I ever made.

1. Social media

Social media is my life. That is my major and what I want to do with my life. However, I sit on it and refresh the same news stories and same statuses over and over again because I am just that addicted. It's unhealthy. Having a smartphone encouraged that addiction and was the one thing causing it. It is one thing to be on it and check what's new and current but it's another to be addicted. The minute I went without my smartphone I didn't feel compelled or the need to be on social media unless I was on my laptop and even then I didn't get on it very much. It blows my mind that something so small can cause you to withdraw yourself from the moment.

2. Texting

Texting was originally for making things convenient for a person and now it has turned into this world where everyone feels the need to be texting someone at all times. No. I was major guilty of this. The minute I got my flip-phone I realized I never had it glued to my side. It was always stuffed away in my backpack or sitting on the counter near my sink. I learned that phone calls are the only things that make something important or urgent. If I got a text they probably didn't hear back from me right away (this may or may not have been a mix between me trying to remember how to text on it and because it was never by my side). At dinner, it made things awkward, however, due to the fact that everyone else sits on their phone as a habit and I was staring at the walls. This leads me to number 3.

3. Being present



No matter who I went out with or where we were I always had my phone in my hand. I never was present. I was either on social media or I was texting. I never made those in person connections which are healthy for a person. I constantly heard "oh man, Casey. You just missed what happened." or "Casey, did you just see that?". That is so unacceptable and unhealthy. I weakened relationships with friends and family by never being present. When I had my flip-phone I was able to make those connections and see what I was missing out on. Dinners became more enjoyable, laughs became more genuine, and bonds were built stronger.

I never knew that a smartphone, something so itty bitty, could make my life worse than better. They say they are there to make your life more convenient but don't abuse that because you will end up like I used to be. Nomophobia. The fear of being without a mobile device. It is a thing and a lot more of you have it than you think.

I challenge you now to start putting your phone down more and interacting with the people in front of you instead of the person who is on the other end of the line. Don't lose those in personal experiences. Go to a concert and WATCH it instead of record it. Don't miss out on your life trying to preserve it for the future.